Pour Vous on Melrose brings Francophile sensibilities to Hollywood.
Copa d’Oro
This Westside mixology mecca has been a hot spot since opening in 2009 thanks to market-fresh ingredients and omakase-style (bartender’s choice) cocktails that keep patrons guessing. However, if you want Cognac, order the blinged-out-but-erudite Gold-Plated Sidecar with Hennessy X.O Cognac, delicately floral Grand Marnier Cuvée de Cent Cinquantenaire, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. 217 Broadway, Santa Monica, 310-576-3030
Livello Lounge & Bar at L’Ermitage
This haunt of Hollywood screenwriters has an eclectic choice of potables that includes a cocktail named after presidential offspring and legendary California politician Jimmy Roosevelt. It is a heady concoction of Courvoisier V.S.O.P, Demerara rum, Angostura Bitters, Chartreuse Green, a sugar cube, and a dash of Champagne, which lends it an extra sparkle. 9291 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, 310-278-3344
Mixology 101
Heading to The Original Farmers Market? Start your evening off at its newest upscale bar with a sweet yet strong Casa Mia Champagne cocktail with Rémy Martin VSOP Cognac, Grand Marnier, fresh strawberry purée, and bubbles, or end it on a high note with a new take on the old-fashioned, the Vieux Carré, with Rémy Martin VSOP, rye whiskey, Bénédictine, Carpano Antica vermouth, and Peychaud’s and Angostura bitters. 6333 W. 3rd Street, Suite O20, LA, 323-370-6560
Perch
Velvet bow-tied servers tote handcrafted cocktails with Francophile-friendly names in this idyllic, gardenlike setting at eye level with Downtown’s soaring skyscrapers. The allusively tragic Marie Antoinette with Cognac, Luxardo cherry liqueur, muddled black cherries, and jalapeño will simply make you lose your head, while the French 64 with Cognac, Elixir ginger syrup, Pêche Lambic, and Kronenbourg 1664 is a more rustic take on a refreshing cocktail. 448 S. Hill St., LA, 213-802-1770
The Polo Lounge
The Beverly Hills Hotel & Bungalows is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and to commemorate its centenary, the iconic bar has created the 100 Year Sidecar with Hennessy X.O Cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice served with a gold-flake-dusted rim in a keepsake coupe guests can take home. The price? $100, of course. 9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-887-2777
Pour Vous
This new French-inspired Eastside hipster hangout mixes up a titillating Ménage à Trois libation that combines Cognac with Calvados (an apple brandy that packs a wallop), Demerara rum, orange and Angostura bitters, evaporated cane syrup, and lemon and orange peel. 5574 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, 323-871-8699
Red Medicine
Just as intriguing as the Vietnamese-inspired fare at this punk canteen on Wilshire, right on the doorstep of Beverly Hills, is the cocktail list that includes the #71: Hennessy V.S Cognac, crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and milk, described as a grasshopper-meets-stinger-meets-brandy Alexander. That’s a meeting you don’t want to miss. 8400 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 323-651-5500
ShoreBar
Of course, you knew one of the cocktails on this list had to be named after Tim Meadows’s iconic Ladies Man character from Saturday Night Live. That drink is prepared at this beachside dive with Hardy VS Cognac (what, not Courvoisier?!), Chartreuse Green, and Carpano Antica on the rocks. 112 W. Channel Road, Santa Monica, 310-429-1851
