Maté, rose water and chilies play well with liquor

Cocktails

By Anne Marie DiStefano

The Portland Tribune, May 29, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009

SARAH TOOR / P0RTLAND TRIBUNE

Laid-back Muu-Muu’s, at 621 N.W. 21st Ave., draws a crowd with its boisterous atmosphere, outdoor seating and selection of comfort food.

The Rose City martini is not the official martini of Portland — at least not yet — but it’s a distinguished cocktail all the same.

It can be found exclusively at Olive or Twist (925 N.W. 11th Ave., 503-546-2900), one of a growing number of Northwest Portland bars where atmosphere is a major draw, but the drinks menu gets top billing.

Hendrick’s gin is the key to the Rose City martini. Made in Scotland, the small-batch gin is particularly flavorful thanks to the addition of cucumbers and roses.

Olive or Twist Owner Sam Fowler shakes it up with simple syrup, lime and imported rose water, and floats a rose petal on top.

But if gin’s not your thing, try the Spicy Peach.

Recently mentioned in Cosmopolitan magazine, the combination of peach vodka and muddled serrano chilies anticipates the summer season.

Another summery invention, the maté mojito, hides down the street in the Camellia Lounge (510 N.W. 11th Ave., 503-221-2130, www.teazone.com).

You have to pass through TeaZone (same address), the cafe and tea store, to find this cozy, well-upholstered lounge where most of the cocktails contain some form of tea.

Invigorating South American yerba maté leaves add a layer of flavor (and a bit of caffeine) to a traditional mojito of muddled fresh mint, sugar and white rum, topped with soda.

Other cocktails here incorporate jasmine, hibiscus, oolong and chai, and there’s even a line of spiked bubble teas.

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