I'll Drink To That: The Boom Headshot

I love going to AT&T Park to see the San Francisco Giants play baseball. But let’s be real, expecting to find quality food or drinks at a ballpark is like expecting to catch every fly ball. The odds are against you. Even at club level, where the food is better and they serve hard liqour, I wouldn’t dare ask for a craft cocktail as I know I’ll be disappointed.

That was until I was introduced to The Gotham Club , a new premium members-only club inside AT&T Park named after the Giants’ original team name. The club has a speak-easy vibe, with it’s unmarked door that is easy to miss and the flashing of a special Gotham Club card to get in. Once inside, it felt like I was teleported out of the ballpark into some swanky bar where I’d see Jay and Bey tucked away on one of the leather sofas having drinks or bowling before the game. That’s right, I said bowling, as The Gotham Club has two bowling lanes, a pool table, and old school arcade games like Ms. Pacman. I was in rogue style heaven and the baseball game hadn’t even started. Little did I know the night was about to get better.

Victor Oliver with The Boom Headshot

We were greeted by Victor Oliver, one of the gentlemen in white coats, who offered us a drink. I always mention bourbon is my spirit of choice hoping someone will surprise me. I am then generally offered an Old Fashioned, Sazerac or Vieux Carre as if I should jump for joy as a bartender has finally understood my drink preference. On queue, I told Victor my spirit preference waiting for the normal response, but then he asked if I trusted him. I had to think about it, as he did just tell me he was an Oakland A’s fan working at a Giants establishment. Despite his poor choice in Bay Area sports teams, I told him that I did trust him and I’m so glad I did.

He came back with a mystery cocktail on a silver tray that looked appealing. I took a few sips trying to decipher the ingredients, but couldn’t. I later discovered the drink had grapefruit juice, which is what threw me off my guessing game. I never thought to mix grapefruit and lemon juices with bourbon, but it was a genius combination. The cocktail was sweet but calming and the perfect summer cocktail. I also think it’s great alternative to the rum and tequila based beach or pool cocktails if bourbon is your spirit of choice.

I asked Victor “what is the name of this mystery cocktail?” He called it the Boom Headshot. I thought it was an odd name for a cocktail until he informed me that it will sneak up on you and go straight to the head, hence the name. And he was right. I had a good buzz off of just one and knew I’d soon be singing ‘blame it on the alcohol,’ if I had a few more.

Victor hit it out of the ballpark for me with the Boom Headshot. I now need to figure out if Whole Foods sells fresh grapefruits as this will be my new summer drink.

Cheers and go Giants!

Boom Head Shot

2 oz rye

3/4 simple

3/4 lemon juice

3/4 grapefruit juice

Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass and shake well with ice. Strain over ice in a cocktail glass and add lemon twist.

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