MEXICO CITY BAR REVIEW: Handshake Speakeasy (!!!)
The Mecca of cocktail aficionados, this bar was ranked #1 in the world in 2024. I had heard that it actually exceeds the hype, and I’ll be damned if that isn’t true. Just an incredible experience from the second you walk through the nondescript black door in La Zona Rosa. I was expecting a pretty serious, Connaught Bar-like (another former #1 ranking holder) atmosphere, but the staff was incredibly enthusiastic, shouting “BIENVENIDOS” in unison any time a new group arrived and dancing and clapping along to the upbeat soundtrack. From the owner all the way down to a young Dutchman on an internship who was drying glassware nearly the entire time, everyone seemed ecstatic to be working there. The fun vibes only added to the phenomenal drinks, which as a whole made for an unforgettable night.
As for those drinks… I tasted every single drink on the menu so you don’t have to (but you absolutely should!), and ranked them from best to least best but still really good:
- Cariño: an amalgamation of a piña colada, daiquiri, and mojito. One of the best cocktails I’ve ever had
- Banana Manhattan: pretty self-explanatory, but the banana-forward version of this classic cocktail was incredibly smooth and easy-drinking
- Once Upon In Oaxaca: you know I love mezcal, and this herbal concoction certainly delivered… plus it was served with a flaming steel wool topper which represented the mezcal distilling process (?) (see photo below)
- Mexi-Thai
- Butter Mushroom Old Fashioned: not nearly as much umami as the Eternity at Bar Doko I recently wrote about, the brown butter notes are much more prominent, though similarly served with a mushroom garnish that I could do without
- Orange Blossom
- Earl Grey
- Piña Colada: a brandy-based variant which is their play on an al pastor taco, with pineapple and micro-cilantro on top
- Lychee Highball
- Fig Martini
- Olive Oil Gimlet
- Orange Wine
- Matcha Yuzu
- Gin & Juice: only at the bottom due to a personal preference against grapefruit, but still blows cocktails at most other places out of the water
It’s a little tricky to get reservations, but this is an absolute must if you’re in CDMX.
