Something Wicked Comes This Way: The Raymond 1886 Unveils The Final Solstice Winter Cocktails!

Pasadena, CA: Darkness falls across the land, the midnight hour is close at hand. Situated inside The Raymond 1886, the historic craftsman cottage turned acclaimed restaurant in Pasadena, The Raymond 1886 tempts guests to get in touch with their morbid side and brood over the cold infinite of the universe and our own mortal coil by bringing out the macabre in everyone with their new The Final Solstice Winter Cocktails Menu!

Amaro Rye, Photo Credit: Acuna-Hansen
Amaro Rye, Photo Credit: Acuna-Hansen

“This season we decided each cocktail would have a sci-fi, horror, and ominous feeling to the menu,” says Head Barman Peter Lloyd Jones. “This is our first dark and offbeat menu, so it is an edgy departure from our previously lighthearted themes and opens the door for each bartender to really show their own unique creative style.” Known for their highly innovative seasonal cocktail menus, The Raymond 1886 raises the bar once more with The Final Solstice Cocktail Menu, eleven spine-tingling libations, where each bartender offers their own signature take on what the end of the world means to them. However, before anyone pays Charon to ferry them across the River Styx, all potential concoctions go through the signature The Raymond 1886 “5 palate rule” test. “Once a cocktail has a name and a story behind its creation,” explains Jones, “it must be approved by five people that have been through our bar program. Every cocktail ever created and printed on a menu at The Raymond 1886 has passed this rule. We believe the broad palate spectrum helps to make sure the cocktail appeals to a wider audience.”

Welcome to Los Angeles 2019, a tech-noir urban dystopia where the Tyrell Corporation holds the monopoly on bioengineered androids known as a Replicant. This neo-noir infant-style cocktail created by Peter Lloyd Jones is comprised of London Dry Gin, lemon, Orgeat, smoked salt, and a house-made Butterfly Pea Tincture float and will leave you wondering: Do androids dream of electric sheep? Are we living out implanted memories in an environment manufactured by a tyrannical corrupt corporation? Though Roy Batty and his ragtag team of escaped androids may have failed, make no mistake, the Robot Revolution is on its way. There have been many advancements and revolutions for the human race that have had effect on our survival; advancements in all walks of life have helped us succeed, or fail and learn. But what happens when our most prized creation surpasses our intelligence. Will it realize its limitless potential? Will it realize how limited we are as humans and purge for optimal existence? With technology advancing as it has, it is important to keep your loved one’s close, your eyes open, and your brain awake with this cold brew cone from Cameron Masden, featuring deep flavors from Galliano Ristretto espresso liqueur, Amaro Montenegro, Cynar 70, cold brew coffee, mint, and cinnamon. A nice treat for the potentially bittersweet end. Robots. Androids. Humanity is encouraged to reach for the stars – but what happens when the stars reach for humanity? Luis Nava presents The Dreamcatcher, named after the Stephen King novel about four friends dealing with a parasitic alien during their annual camping trip. Comprised of cacao, Averna, house-made Woodford Reserve Bourbon infused graham cracker, cream, chocolate, and a toasted marshmallow; you never know what is lurking when you are enjoying S’mores next to the campfire.

Before locusts and fire, there was blood! Upset with the beer cocktail scene, Jesus Gomez and Adam Vaughn have decided to turn the whole place bloody with Plagues of Egypt. This exquisitely rich, robust and romantic concoction will raise your spirits during the times of damnation, featuring Top Tank 7 Saison, lemon juice, house made hibiscus syrup, Lustau Amontillado Sherry, Camus Cognac, and watch out for the frogs, they’re everywhere! There is no remedy for the 10 plagues, except for this cocktail. When John Milton imagined the Garden of Eden in his seminal poem Paradise Lost, his rich prose evoked images of a utopia not unlike a Caribbean island, with its luscious environment and delectable delicacies. However, paradise is no more in this world of iniquity and indulgence, where guests are invited to fall into temptation with this take on an old-fashioned created by Nathan Baker, featuring Rhum J.M. Gold from the edenesque island of Martinique, Nate’s house-made chai tincture, barrel-aged maple syrup, and lime peel. It takes three components to become the Master of Toddy, but are you cunning enough to wield the power of the Deathly Hallows? This toddy-style cocktail created by Adam Vaughn pays due respect to both the legendary Master of Death and a Hot Buttered Rum, comprised of Wray & Nephew OP, vanilla, and a house-made butterscotch patty. Not for the faint of heart, this cocktail promises to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses.

You can run, you can hide, but you cannot escape the imminent Zombie Apocalypse! After a long day of fighting off zombies and searching for shelter, re-energize with this tribute to both a Tiki classic and an iconic end-of-the-world-scenario, comprised of Deanston 12 year whisky, Bowmore 15 year whisky, Laphroaig 10 cask, pineapple juice, lime juice, Orgeat, Falernum, house-made lemongrass syrup, mint, and a zombie apocalypse garnish. A multi-layered and exceptionally well-balanced cocktail created by Jesus Gomez and Adam Vaughn, this collaboration demonstrates that two brains are better than one. Perhaps those zombies originated from a horrible, government virus? When the great sickness spread, they said it didn’t exist. Humanity is doomed to toil in the dredge of a sick and dying world. But survivors believed, hoped, worked, and now have it: the medicine that will end the end of days and bring about the rebirth of human civilization. A new dawn begins with The Antidote, created by Casey Levantal, featuring Laphroaig Select, Absinthe St George, Carpano, Campari, flamed absinthe sugar, and lemon peel.

Some catastrophes are not worth more than throwing our hands up in defeatist acceptance. Screw it! The world is over! It came and went and we few left must wallow in whatever remains on this, The Morning After. Mercifully, Ned Kirby has something a little bit stronger than coffee this morning, with El Dorado 12 year, Galliano Ristretto, cacao, coffee, heavy cream, and cinnamon. The biggest mistake humans made was believing they had all the time in the world. They didn’t, we don’t, and Ned Kirby entices guests to take the thyme to enjoy the End Of Thyme. Appreciate its aroma, savor its flavors and revel in its marvelous effects, featuring Amaro Montenegro, Suze bitters, Rittenhouse Rye, Del Maguey Vida, and thyme. One or two more of these and time won’t mean anything at all. Whichever way you look at it, it has begun and it will finish, make no mistake about it, We’re in it. With endless possibilities of “The End,” (pun intended), enjoy every moment, every person, and every delicious libation. With London Dry Gin, house made plum syrup, yellow chartreuse, lemon juice, and lime mint island garnish, this cocktail created by Cameron Masden will leave you knowing exactly just how far in it you are.

It’s the end of the world as we know it, but everything is feeling fine at The Raymond 1886 Happy Hour! From 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm every Tuesday through Friday, guests can partake in $5.00 Wines by the Glass, $4.00 Draft Beer, and Half-Price Well Drinks. Additionally, a daily Specialty Cocktail selected by the bartender will be available for $7.00 each. An extensive Bar Snacks Menu created by Executive Chef Tim Guiltinan is also offered Half-Price during Happy Hour, enticing guests with hearty dishes like Suckling Pig Al Pastor Tacos made with pineapple, avocado, salsa roja, the Greek Style Cauliflower, with half-a-head with whipped feta, or the Jidori Chicken Wings, prepared with caramelized fish sauce, and marinated cucumbers.

Winter is coming and the end is nigh, so take advantage of these dark times with even darker cocktails at The Raymond 1886!

The Raymond 1886 is open for Lunch Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, for Dinner every Tuesday through Sunday from 5:30 to 10:00 pm, and for Brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm. 1886 is open every Tuesday through Thursday, and Sunday, from 4:00 pm to 12:00 Midnight, and every Friday and Saturday from 4:00 pm to 2:00 am. 1886 Happy Hour is every Tuesday through Friday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. For more information or reservations, please visit www.theraymond.com or call The Raymond 1886 directly at 626.441.3136.

Social Media: Please follow 1886 on Facebook: Facebook.com/1886BarAtTheRaymond Twitter: @1886Bar Instagram: @TheRaymond1886

The Raymond 1886

1250 South Fair Oaks Avenue

Pasadena, CA 91105

T: 626.441.3136