Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/5037
T he dramatic modern fi replace that dominates the room at Swig is just what this mixologist ordered to help combat a damp San Francisco winter. Twenty-six-year-old Caroline McLaughlin is a career bartender and one of a handful of young women who are putting their own spin on San Francisco's cocktail culture. She's behind the bar at Swig or Rickhouse four nights a week while she attends college during the day. A native of County Donegal in Ireland, McLaughlin is no stranger to the effects of mar- itime weather; in fact, fog served as her inspiration for a warming Absolut-based cocktail that's a lighter version of classic egg nog. Using Absolut as the backbone of her cocktail, McLaughlin builds layers of fl avor with pot still rum, coffee liqueur and allspice dram (also known as pimento dram, an infusion of allspice ber- ries in high-proof rum and simple syrup) for a light, complex and comforting cocktail that is reminiscent of egg nog but with a much cleaner fi nish. Fog Nog 1½ oz. Absolut vodka ½ oz. dark rum 1 oz. half-and-half ¾ oz. Kahlúa ½ egg white ¼ oz. allspice dram Shake vigorously, serve up and garnish with a raspberry and mint pick. Mixologist Caroline McLaughlin of Swig. Wet Weather Cure at Swig PHOTO: RYAN LELY Not your grandmother's egg nog. 38 / the tasting panel / december 2009 PHOTO: RYAN LELY Seasonal Cocktails