Part Gin, Part Genie

Experience magic in a cocktail glass at Djinn

Photographed by Silas Fallstich | Written by Katy Rupp

Puff, Puff, Pass

The light of the gleaming full moon illuminates my path as I walk down lower State Street. Lured by the pulsing music, I glide through the doors of Hotel Californian. The lobby is packed with people enjoying each other's energy and that of the whimsical space. I weave my way back to the library bar, Djinn (it’s a synonym for supernatural spirit and is pronounced “gin”).

During every full moon Djinn hosts a party called HOWL, and ups the whimsy by bringing in a DJ and tarot card reader. I already feel transported to a magical world where genies exist. I decide that if I could have three wishes right now— influenced by the elaborate drinks I see in others’ hands—they would all be cocktails.

I make my way past a ouija board surrounded by candles to the marble bar-top where renowned mixologist and creator of Djinn’s innovative cocktails, Devon Espinosa, and bartender Teagan are working their magic.

The rose petal and foamtopped mixture of gin, Lillet Blanc, St. Germain, lemon, rosewater syrup, and bitters looks like a piece of artwork and tastes like it was created by a genie.

A Djinn By Any Other Name (The Empress)

Everything on the menu sounds appealing, so bartender’s choice it is. Teagan’s personal favorite is Willow’s Journey, which soon becomes mine. She serves the drink to me in a teapot resembling a genie lamp and I proceed to pour it into a teacup garnished with fresh Thai basil and cucumber. The presentation is fitting because the concoction tastes reminiscent of a refreshing tea.

Next Teagan sets up an extravagant production involving a glass box with a marble base, a gorgeous fuchsia colored cocktail, and a blow torch. She places it in front of me and as she lifts the glass lid a smoke show embarks. I don’t know if it is the captivating unveiling or the taste of scotch perfectly paired with a smokey blueberry aroma, but during the Puff, Puff, Pass cocktail presentation I don’t think I blinked once.

My third and final wish materializes in the form of A Djinn By Any Other Name. The rose petal and foam-topped mixture of gin, Lillet Blanc, St. Germain, lemon, rosewater syrup, and bitters looks like a piece of artwork and tastes like it was created by a genie. Even before I visit the mysterious tarot card reader, I know a return to Djinn is in my future. *

hotelcalifornian.com

West Coast Oysters

Willow’s Journey