Cheers
U.S. Open 2023: Here’s how you can make this L.A. restaurant’s signature U.S. Open cocktail at home
When it comes to signature cocktails and the majors, it’s the Masters and everybody else. We're all familiar with the Azalea’s sweet, pink mixture but now longtime L.A. restaurant Mastro’s is giving it a run for its ice cubes with their signature U.S. Open Lemon Wedge cocktail.
Mastro’s refreshing summer sipper is available at all six of the uspcale steakhouse chain's Los Angeles locations, including their Beverly Hills flagship located less than two miles from Los Angeles Country Club. But if you can’t make it to the City of Angels for golf’s greatest test this year, don’t worry. We chatted with Mastro’s Senior Director of Wine & Spirits Robbi Jo Oliver to get a few tips and tricks for making the perfect Lemon Wedge at home.
First make sure you are stocked with the following tools and ingredients:
- 1.5 ounces Dewar’s 12-Year-Old Double Aged (New Label)
- 2 ounces Lemonade
- Club soda
- Fresh lemon
- Ice cubes
- Glass mixing vessel
- Cocktail strainer
- Stirring spoon
- Pilsner glass
Mastro's signature U.S. Open Lemon Wedge cocktail.
It sounds simple enough, but as Oliver explains, the devil is in the details. Mastro’s specifically uses Dewar's 12-year-old blended scotch, Perricone lemonade and Fever Tree club soda, which Mastro's bartenders prefer for its tiny bubbles. If you can’t find those, or just want to put your own spin on the drink, go with your favorites. Start by pre-chilling your pilsner glass (or any slender cup) just like Mastro’s does. This will keep the cocktail cold and help prevent the ice from melting too quickly. Now fill your mixing vessel (any glass will do) with ice. Don’t be shy; the more ice you add, the slower it will melt and dilute the cocktail.
Once the mixing vessel is set, add the Dewar’s scotch and lemonade and stir with a spoon (Oliver recommends about 15 revolutions). Now fill your pre-chilled pilsner glass with another liberal helping of ice and strain the Dewar’s and lemonade mixture into the glass. Top the drink with a splash of club soda and garnish it with a lemon wedge and you’ll be ready to toast nasty rough and crooked numbers all weekend long.
If you are lucky enough to be in Los Angeles for the U.S. Open this week, make sure to pop into any participating Mastro’s location (Beverly Hills, Malibu, Thousand Oaks, Downtown, Costa Mesa, and Newport Beach) for the real deal. The Lemon Wedge retails for $20 and is perfect for washing down a long day at the course (not to mention a Wagyu ribeye and Mastro’s new caviar-topped twice-baked potato).