www.montereycountynow.com MARCH 27-APRIL 2, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 43 CHILL The Swing is a refreshing cocktail, casual and easy to drink. Word on the Street, on the other hand, has an eerie quality. What they share in common is a measure of green chartreuse and a home—the bar at Shearwater Tavern in Carmel, where food and beverage manager John Ricklefs prefers spirit-forward drinks. Word on the Street is a play on a classic, The Last Word—the only departure being the choice of gin. With its soft green tea and peppery cherry blossom notes, Roku plays differently than a London Dry. It picks up on the herbaceousness of green chartreuse, creating an inviting summer evening savor in which the maraschino liqueur lurks, a dark and brooding heart. Ricklefs wisely doesn’t allow the fruits to slice through the heavier notion of preserved cherries. It’s a combination that works nicely, especially when spring still carries a chill. The Swing is made for warm, hopeful afternoons—tropical and naturally sweet from pineapple, lime and agave. Again, however, Ricklefs gives it some weight, in the form of mezcal. While the fruits traipse lightly over the palate, the mezcal slumbers in the grass, toasting under the sun. In both are nuances—whispers of mint, a pining bittersweet spectre, fresh citrus—that are hallmarks of green chartreuse. Green chartreuse is not deployed in cocktails as much as the liqueur deserves. It is made in France by monks, and only a few know the secrets of bringing out its natural color. But it casts a notable spell. 3665 Rio Road (in the Carmel Mission Inn), Carmel. 624-1841, shearwatertavern.com. Go Green Two cocktails made with one colorful liqueur stand out at Shearwater Tavern. By Dave Faries SEND IDEAS TO: chill@montereycountynow.com DAVE FARIES 484 Washington St., Downtown Monterey 11:30am Mon—Fri 10am Sat & Sun melvilletav.com (831) 643-9525 scan QR code for menu INDOOR + PATIO, DINE IN and TAKEOUT BEER•BURGERS•BRUNCH DON’T WORRY BE HAPPY (HOUR) SUN-THURS 4-6PM WATCH ALL THE TOURNAMENT GAMES HERE THURSDAY - SUNDAY! COME IN FOR SATURDAY & SUNDAY BRUNCH WITH BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS ♦ 3 Card Poker ♠ Century 21st No Bust Black Jack ♣ Texas Hold’em ♥ Baccarat FULL BAR! BLACKJACK BONUS POINTS PAYS UP TO $20,000 SMALL TOWN BIG PAYOUTS! 1-800-Gambler • Gega-003846, Gega-Gega-003703, Gega-000889 Gega-000891 Gega-002838 The Marina Club Casino ensures the safety and security of all guests and team members at all times, while providing exceptional service. 204 Carmel Ave. Marina 831-384-0925 casinomonterey.com ♠ ♣ ♥ ♦ Just minutes from Downtown Monterey Where Monterey Comes To Play VALIDATED PARKING 136 OLIVIER ST. MONTEREY NEAR OLD FISHERMAN’S WHARF (831) 644-9007 WWW.BENIHANA.COM OPEN DAILY FOR LUNCH AND DINNER EXPERIENCE THE ORIGINAL
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