MKT Bar Debuts “Fog City Tales” at Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco

Drawing from San Francisco's historical neighbourhoods, figures, and moments, MKT Bar at Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco introduces “Fog City Tales,” a new cocktail menu at the downtown bar.

An encyclopedia in a glass, each cocktail tells a story of a significant person or place in San Francisco’s rich history. Diageo Reserve Global Cocktailian and Bittered Sling Bitters co-founder Lauren Mote partnered with the MKT bar team to create the menu with a contemporary take on classic cocktails.

The Newspaper R.O.E., Harvey Milk Punch, Plaza Vieja, Good Fortune Highball, and the Gin & Symphonic are among 12 new cocktails.

“MKT’s new cocktail menu is a modern showcase for beverage artistry and cocktail craftsmanship,” says Austin Phillips, Director of Sales and Marketing. “Drawing from neighbourhoods such as Mission Dolores and Haight-Ashbury, to people such as Harvey Milk and Mary Ellen Pleasant, the menu offers something for everyone.”

“The cocktails take some inspiration from the colours, flavours and ingredients grown seasonally in the Californian region,” explains Lauren Mote, “but it’s the story connected with the cocktail that makes the program special. These stories pay tribute to the innovative, the iconic and the significant moments of San Francisco’s past. This truly unique story-telling moment celebrates the Bay Area’s social and cultural timeline, using the lens that has always kept the community innovative, and always challenging the status quo. The MKT bar team and Four Seasons guests are in for a treat.”

The Harvey Milk Punch is MKT’s version of the milk punch, and is made with Johnnie Walker Gold whisky, “breakfast cereal” oat milk, almond, bergamot-vanilla, cold brew tea, Malagasy chocolate bitters, and cereal cracker crumb. Harvey Milk, a captivating figure in the LGBTQ community in San Francisco, was instrumental in highlighting human rights, and the Milk Punch was also coined as a local invention of bartender Jerry Thomas in the mid-1800s.

“In MKT’s version of the milk punch, we took the popular concept of 'cereal milk' and adapted this for those who choose not to consume dairy. The palate is luscious and rich, without being heavy and overly sweet as most classic recipes are. It’s a really fun way to celebrate this classic,” says Bridget Mosher, MKT Restaurant-Bar General Manager.

Occidentally Famous pays homage to the Occidental Hotel (South of Market) that was one of the top luxury hotels in San Francisco until it burned down in the fires of 1906. The Occidental Hotel was also home to Jerry Thomas, the “Father of American Mixology” for a short period of time. It’s alleged that Thomas created the Martinez cocktail here for a guest who was planning to travel to Martinez by ferry.

The menu also includes lower proof cocktails, providing delicious options for everyone’s imbibing style.

Newspaper Row in San Francisco is a historically significant one. Positioned at the intersections of Market Street, Kearny Street, Third Street and Geary Streets stood The San Francisco Call, The San Francisco Chronicle and The San Francisco Examiner. After the 1906 earthquake and fires, Newspaper Row was gutted. Since then, all the mentioned newspaper giants were rebuilt or closed.

“MKT’s Newspaper R.O.E., made with blanco tequila, Italicus bergamot, fresh lime juice, grapefruit soda, grapefruit & hops bitters and coastal sea salt, is easy drinking,” says Fernando Merino, MKT Bar Manager.

“The juiciest stories are often revealed with a taste of good tequila. Whether over a business meeting or an interview, this cocktail will loosen up even the stiffest of adversaries – the perfect drink to provide high R.O.E. (Return On Equity),” says Mote on the cocktail’s story.

As guests enter the fifth-floor lobby of the Hotel, the vibrant energy of people enjoying cocktails and food around the urban-chic MKT Bar is palpable, creating a sense of community and excitement. MKT evokes the golden age of publishing with brushed brass detailing, dark oak floors and vinyl coverings. People gather around the bar, from the communal table and low leather banquettes to the fireplace to meet friends, family and colleagues, making it the heartbeat of the Hotel, a modern-day tavern where travellers and locals intersect and foster relationships old and new.

Follow online with the hashtag #FogCityTales.