The 100 best dishes and drinks in Los Angeles 2014: Drinks

Early Ace at The Wallace

The Early Ace is a rarity—the very last sip you'll take is just as compelling as the first. The Damrak gin-based libation is topped with an incredible pistachio foam that continues to dissolve into the cocktail with each sip. Translation? Ordering it is a no-brainer. $12. - Erin Kuschner

Vaudeville at Faith & Flower

The Vaudeville, a vodka-based drink with lemon, raspberry gum and aromatic bitters, hits you with a perfume-y, aromatic cloud before it becomes clear why it's one of Faith & Flower's most popular drinks: crisp and complex, the cocktail transports you somewhere else entirely (Gatsby's mansion, perhaps?). $12. - Erin Kuschner

West Side at Scopa Italian Roots

Not only is The West Side gorgeous—it resembles a snowcone, concocted with vodka, orgeat, cucumber, mint and lime and with a pile of shaved ice on top—but this summery libation is as light and refreshing as they come. $11. - Erin Kuschner

Walnut Mucuna Merry Milk at Moon Juice

Got milk? Do yourself a favor and grab a bottle of this creamy drink. Made with walnuts, coconut meat, mucuna, tocotrienols, maple crystals and more fancy-schmancy ingredients, you're going to want to ditch that Almond Breeze stat. The pieces of coconut and hints of salt, maple and cinnamon taste like a cozy fall afternoon as you sip on this oh-so-good (and good for you) milk. $12. - Ramona Saviss

Irish Coffee at Tom Bergin's

There's a reason Tom Bergin's is dubbed "The House of Irish Coffee." The cocktail here is a smooth, creamy delight made with Tullamore Dew, Bergin's house blend coffee and cream, and there is no reason why you should visit the Fairfax staple without ordering one. $8. - Erin Kuschner

Lavanda at Gracias Madre

If you're not totally on board with the vegan Mexican food at Gracias Madre, allow head bartender Jason Eisner to help you drink your dinner. The Lavanda is made with both lavender syrup and bitters; the potential for it being too sweet is cut by the tequila blanco and lime, resulting in a fresh, clean cocktail that goes down easy. $11. - Erin Kuschner

Alabama Slammer at Tunnel Bar

Tunnel Bar’s mainstay is a rehashed version of a drink that should have died decades ago. With amaretto, sloe gin, rum, orange juice and lime, it’s sweet, tart and delicious, and we’re happy to take it off the endangered cocktails list. $11. - Merin McDonald

Coconut iced tea at Alfred Coffee & Kitchen

Alfred's "But first, coffee" signage may be one of the most Instagrammed coffee shop walls in the city, but you shouldn't just focus on coffee here. The refreshing coconut iced tea, one of the shop's many tea offerings, is like a shot of the tropics in liquid form. We think it's pretty Instagram worthy, too. $3.50 - Erin Kuschner

Tokyo Highball at Bar Jackalope

Almost more impressive than the drink itself is the massive, perfectly sculpted ice cube that fills the glass of this drink, keeping the Suntory Hakushu 12-year whiskey crisp and cool and utterly refreshing. $14. - Erin Kuschner

Margo's Bark Root Beer (available at Salt's Cure, Oaks Gourmet, Whole Foods)

Margo's Bark could have called it quits with their heartwarming and Rockwell-esque origin story: A young Los Angeles boy rescues a dog, proceeds to enter his school science fair with home-brewed root beer he names after said dog, then proceeds to mass manufacture said root beer and donate all profits to helping shelter and rescue dogs. It's only icing on the cake that 7-year-old Oscar Youd's brew happens to be one of the best root beers we've ever tasted. And yes, we are root beer experts. $3-$8. - Jakob N. Layman

Bourbon coffee porter at Smog City Brewing Co.

This cozy Torrance brewery is always coming up with unique brews to satisfy its South Bay fans, but this year's bourbon coffee porter knocked it out of the park. With notes of chocolate, vanilla, wood and—duh—coffee, the American porter goes down smooth and oh-so-easy. $2-$6. - Erin Kuschner

Bucky O'Hare at 1886

Mixologist Gregory Gertmenian gives his twist on the classic ginger buck by adding smoky mezcal and amaro, the bitter-sweet Italian digestif, then topping it with grapefruit soda. $14. - Danielle Jacoby

Devil's Gate at The Flintridge Proper

Named after Devil’s Gate dam, a local landmark in Pasadena, this sweet and spicy cocktail combines Plymouth gin with blackberries, basil and lemongrass, with jalapeno and ginger adding a devilish kick. $11. - Merin McDonald

Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum at Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar

Make sure to say all of those “tikis” when ordering (sing it for extra credit), lest you miss out on this balance of tropical nectars—rum, cream of coconut and pineapple and orange juices—and a tastes-like-Christmas dusting of cinnamon and nutmeg. $11.50. - Michael Juliano

Iced almond and macadamia milk latte at G&B Coffee/Go Get Em Tiger

The New York Times named it the country's best iced latte, and, well, we can't say we disagree. This slightly sweet and creamy concoction uses homemade nut milk for a refreshing, decadent take on iced coffee. $6. - Kate Wertheimer

Shandy Koufax at Harlowe

Made with Cana Brava rum, a bitter orange amaro, pineapple syrup, fresh lemon, and the kicker—a California IPA—this drink is like a citrusy kiss on a summer's day. $14. - Danielle Jacoby

Spanish G&T at Beelman's Pub

You think you've had your fair share of gin and tonics, and then you have the Spanish version at Beelman's Pub—a wine glass chock-full of lemon and lime slices and a giant cinnamon stick, giving the gin a spicy finish. $11. - Erin Kuschner

Belching Beaver Peanut Butter Stout at The Virgil

The highest accolade we could hope to give any alcoholic drink is that it's just as addictive and tasty as a bowl of Reese's Peanut Butter Puffs, without any of the artificial or sickly sweet flavor. So basically, this Belching Beaver stout.  $8. - Jakob N. Layman