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We’re obviously biased in saying that Dallas is home to some pretty great bars, but soon, it will host what The World’s 50 Best, which polls food and beverage experts worldwide, has hailed as one of the best bars in the world.
World-renowned Mexico City speakeasy Handshake will take over Catbird in downtown Dallas for two days at the end of this month.
Catbird announced in an Instagram post that on May 31, Handshake will offer a pop-up menu featuring some of the bar’s award-winning cocktails. The following day, June 1, Catbird will host a masterclass lecture featuring a Handshake guest bartender.
The speakeasy is otherwise located in Zona Rosa, a neighborhood in Mexico City known for vibrant LGBTQ nightlife. Praised for its attention to detail and culinary art, Handshake has become known for its menu of expertly crafted cocktails that take the pretentiousness out of upscale drinking. You don’t have to be the friend at the table turning down your phone’s brightness to look up the menu’s curated ingredients, or be stuck with a drink you’re grimacing at with every sip. Handshake’s menu, while polished, kills the fuss with no-nonsense drink descriptions like “CREAMY/FRESH/SHORT.”
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Catbird hasn’t released a formal menu for the pop-up, but if you’re the token friend who has to look up the menu before arriving anywhere, here’s a quick look at some of the cocktails you might get to savor. That is, if you’re lucky enough to land a reservation.
Once Upon a Time in Oaxaca
An homage to Mexican master distillers, this drink has become a mascot of sorts for Handshake. Topped with a cluster of steel wool that is ignited with a flame, Once Upon a Time in Oaxaca is an infusion of mezcal, mint and lemon absinthe. If this is on that pop-up menu, don’t ask questions – get it.
Matcha Martini
Even the best bars in the world are embracing the omnipresence of matcha. This tequila-forward martini mixes mezcal, matcha tea, Cocchi Americano, coconut and creme de menthe. We won’t speak for you, but we’d gladly sub out a matcha latte for this.
Peanut Butter Jelly
No, a peanut butter and jelly is not just for kids, and no, it’s not a depression meal. It’s actually the inspiration behind a Handshake menu favorite. This fruity, nutty blend of Belvedere vodka, peanut butter, raspberry and Cocchi Rosa is literally garnished with a mini PB&J sandwich. Trying a new, foreign-crafted drink that is paired with a comfort food favorite is kind of the best of both worlds, or rather countries, as the case may be.
Whether you are fortunate enough to get a taste of this world-class experience, take pride in knowing that our expert friends south of the border recognize that we know what makes a good drink – we’ll cheers to that.
