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    Recommended Reviews - Kulto

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    3 years ago

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    HandShake - Banana Split

    HandShake

    4.4(154 reviews)
    21.2 kmPolanco
    $$$

    Handshake Speakeasy is worth the hype! I managed to snag a Friday night reservation in the basement…read moreroom. The interior was dimly lit and moody, and the staff would yell a welcome every time patrons entered the space. They also did the same once people started leaving. For my first drink, I chose the Mexi-Thai. Handshake is known for their clarified cocktails and I was shocked by how complex the flavors were in this clear beverage. It was almost savory with makrut lime coconut, tomato, and basil oil. For my second drink, I chose the Banana Split. This one was much sweeter with rum, banana, and a blend of sherries. It came topped with a chocolate lego filled with banana ganache, which was insanely decadent and tasty. Our reservation was limited to 90 minutes, which was enough time for me. Overall, loved this spot!

    Hard to see why this has been getting top speakeasy when I feel I've been to better... Pretty easy…read moreto find - it's in a hotel and there is sure to be a super long line waiting, so make sure you check in with one of the waitstaff especially if you haven't booked a reservation. Although our group did not book ahead, we got there right as they opened and only had to wait about 30 min to get seated - but it was also a Monday so maybe that had something to do with it... Aside from the entrance being anticlimactic compared to the bars I have been to, I think the drinks were quite delicious. I got the Earl Grey and the Once Upon in Oaxaca. The first one was honestly my favorite. It was such a refreshing drink that was a really fun take on Earl Grey tea. I really liked the lemongrass straw as well. Drinking out of the straw vs drinking the drink directly made a huge difference in flavor, which I thought was particularly unique. The Once Upon in Oaxaca was slightly smoky and definitely a more liquor forward drink. Perfect for a second cocktail. I would have liked it to be just a tad more smoky with a thicker mouthfeel. Overall, however, it was a pleasant experience, but there are definitely some other bars I'd recommend over this one...

    Photos
    HandShake - Olive gimlet

    Olive gimlet

    HandShake - Coconut Negroni yummmm

    Coconut Negroni yummmm

    HandShake - Cricket Mixed Nuts, Orange Blossom, Lychee Highball, Mexi-Thai

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    Cricket Mixed Nuts, Orange Blossom, Lychee Highball, Mexi-Thai

    La Lavandería - Aguacate y hoja santa mezcal

    La Lavandería

    4.5(32 reviews)
    20.3 kmRoma Norte
    $$

    Cool environment and had a majority of locals hanging around here. The drinks were more of the…read moreaperitif variety so while we didn't get food when we were here, I'd recommend picking something from the menu. Our waiter did seem a little surprised we didn't so maybe we ought to have . Second in my line of bars where I felt like the emphasis was less on a heavy hand but more on the light delicate notes that encourage you to sit and talk around a bit more with the homies.

    Mezcal focused cocktail bar. Lighting is fairly dim but warm, lit mostly by candles except for the…read moreoutside seating which is exposed to the streetlights and traffic. Honestly the openness is welcome on this cool autumn day although the sounds of cars and people was sometimes a touch distracting. Music was fun but not particularly heavy, maybe more of a casual date than something velvety. Service was quite attentive and prompt although I did arrive quite early and there weren't very many people there. Not all the waitstaff are very fluent in English but they are happy to bring someone who is if you have questions. They are the sister bar/restaurant to La Clandestina which is literally right next door which also focusses on Mezcal. Honestly, I don't really know what the difference is between the two aside from the people who are literally mixing the drinks and serving you as the house mezcals are also under the La Clandestina name. Ordered their Habanero house cocktail which was a mix of their Espadin Joven Mezcal, orange liqueur, and a raspberry/bluebery/habanero syrup garnished with a dehydrated orange slice and rimmed with salt, chili, and maybe some more habanero. Note, the menu doesn't actually mention the syrup, I dragged that out of them since I was wondering why the cocktail was so pink and also tasted like it definitely had more than mezcal and orange liqueur in it. The end cocktail is a light and fruity affair but not particularly sweet or acidic and actually balanced out with the body and smoke of the mezcal. I normally despise salt rims, finding it overpowering on first sip and nonexistent on the next but theirs toned down the salt levels enough that each sip around the rim was actually quite pleasant. The habanero in the syrup maybe offers a smidge of vegetal notes and a little bit of spice if you're particularly sensitive to it but the rim itself was actually a delight, giving a light tingle to the lips with each sip. I wouldn't say the cocktail was particularly spicy but more tingly which I found myself actually preferring over other chili included cocktails I've had in the past. They do offer a variety of bottles of tequila and mezcal to sell and take home with you, notably the ones under the Clandestina name that are made just for the bar. Not all of these tequilas and mezcals are available to try directly but the bartenders will offer you a shot of the closest one that is available on the menu (mind you, trying a shot is just paying for an ounce/35 ml of the stuff but that's all on the menu). I decided to give that a shot before biting the bullet on a whole bottle of mezcal. The shot of mezcal comes in a glass wider than a traditional shot glass so you can actually sip the thing comfortably and they also give you a few orange slices with tajin to chase/nibble on. Apparently they offer a flight of mezcal which I'd honestly recommend, especially if you're here with some friends. Definitely recommend coming by for well executed cocktails but particularly for the chance to try Mezcal of varying regional origin, age, and abv.

    Photos
    La Lavandería - Gin

    Gin

    La Lavandería - Interior

    Interior

    La Lavandería - Hoja santa mezcal

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    Hoja santa mezcal

    Kulto - bars - Updated May 2026

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