Bakersfield, California

Lucky for us, we were in the Bakersfield area of California a couple of summers before the big earthquake. Obviously the area will need an influx of money in the coming years, so why not visit the historic Padre Hotel there on your way to seeing the Sequoias or driving south to a California beach.

The Padre Hotel was built in 1928 and has been recently renovated. The Padre hosts three different bars: the classy Prospect, the working man’s Brimstone, and the second-floor, outdoor Prairie Fire. If you get to the hotel late or on a week day, likely only Brimstone will be open, but that’s fine because Brimstone is a lot less stuffy and you’ll probably have a bartender who can pour all of Prospect’s drinks anyway.


It was late on a week day when Cindy and I sat down at the bar at Brimstone; we were received by a thirty-something tattooed barkeep who was doing her level best to maintain the alcohol level of what-looked-to-be a noisy post-rehearsal dinner party at the back of the bar. Cindy ordered an Archangel, a summer cooler comprising of Hendrick’s gin, Peychaud’s Aperitivo and Cucumber, while I asked for Penicillin, a haughty combination of Monkey Shoulder blended scotch, lemon juice, ginger-honey syrup and a floater of Lagavulin single malt, 16 year. Both went down smooth in our respite from the California heat.

Worried about having time for another cocktail, we were about to call it a day when our barkeep informed us that if Brimstone closes, the Padre will let you take the drink to the room. Invitation accepted, we ordered two more. Cindy selected a Whiskey Bramble, which contained Tincup Colorado whiskey, Cherry Herring, velvet falernum, and blackberries. I elected for Brimstone’s version of PDT’s Bentons Old Fashioned. Since we already showed you how to bacon fat wash a bourbon, here’s the recipe.

Drink: Bentons Old Fashioned
Establishment: Brimstone
Location: Bakersfield, California
First Connoisseur: Holly

2 ounces bacon-infused bourbon (Brimstone uses Forrester specifically)
¼ ounce smoked maple syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters

Add all ingredients into an old fashioned glass without ice. Stir well to combine syrup. Add ice, stir to cool. Garnish with an orange twist or swath.