Best Old Fashioned: One Armed Scissor
Call us (here it comes) old fashioned, but we believe a good cocktail bar should be judged by the love and care given to a staple item. We’re here for all the exuberant cocktail flora and the focus on sustainable, locally sourced ingredients and even the drinks mixed with health-boosting botanicals. But if the establishment can’t stir up an interesting gimlet or martini while it stirs up a good conversation, we’re probably ordering the next round elsewhere.
The staple by which we judge a cocktail bar most frequently is the humble old fashioned. It’s the oldest whiskey cocktail, a true classic that’s been served in bars for more than 200 years. Its tradition is being honored best by the downtown bar One Armed Scissor, where it’s served with a house bourbon, or Elijah Craig for two dollars more or any of the many higher-end bourbons and ryes the bar carries, with Angostura bitters and piloncillo for a nice twist. The drink is crafted to perfection by expert bartenders, Corey and Michael Molina, who are brothers and apparently share a genetic love for tasty bar drinks.
The attention to detail includes an expertly cut Clinebell ice block (or sphere, if that’s your geometric preference) from innovative craft cocktail ice vendor Fat Ice. It’s center set and gives the drink the assuring appearance that the boozy concoction is giving the ice block (or sphere) a warm hug. How delightful is that? Add some fun chit-chat with the Molinas and regular One Armed patrons – plus, an always killer music playlist – and you’re set for the night.
208 Travis
One Armed Scissor on Instagram
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2024.
