Serena Herrick of Allumette

Serena Herrick of Allumette

What is your drink of choice?
Lately, either cider and bitters or a daiquiri. Or any mescal neat. It depends on where I'd like the night to go.

What's your favorite tool in creating cocktails?
Sherry—all of it.

What trend would you like to see go away?
"Mixology" as Art.

What's the most underrated cocktail or ingredient?
Sake

What's the drink to order when you're behind the bar?
The Strega Genesis. It's one of my favorite cocktails on the menu right now. Equal parts Strega and Dolin dry vermouth, lemon, lime, fennel bitters and cardamom. It was sort of inspired by a Last Word—tart, vegetal and refreshing.

Best pickup line you've heard at a bar?
People use those?

Any bar faux pas?
A faux pas would be treating the mise en place like bar snacks. I've seen some really embarrassing behavior, especially at Harvard & Stone. Nothing stands out in particular but people can get pretty weird when they stop caring about anything.

What's on your playlist?
Waylon Jennings, Nick Cave, Mercyful Fate

What are your favorite bars?
Favorite bar in LA is Tiki-Ti.

What are your places to eat late night?
The place I dream of all day and race to at night is Taco Zone, in the Vons shopping center on Alvarado.

Where was your first kiss?
My first kiss was on a campground in Wyoming.