Ever since Imbibe Your Time became a thing, I knew right away that I wanted to hit up R&J Lounge and Supper Club. It’s one of my favorite places in town, not only because the drinks are killer but also because the atmosphere is totally unprecedented. With its tufted crimson furnishings, tendency toward old-school jams and crowd that spans the spectrum, R&J definitely fits the bill for those like myself with 60s-era aesthetic nostalgia (I would swipe Don Draper’s living room set in a heartbeat).
And, seriously, I ask you: Where else in OKC can you get champagne on tap? But if bubbly’s not your thing, the fine barkeeps at R&J can whip you up something from their expansive list of highballs, tiki drinks (colorful umbrella present), or true classics, like a Sazerac or Manhattan.
Last Saturday I ventured into the retro lounge that is the R&J to meet with Sara, head of all things boozy. I challenged her to make a few summery beverages worthy of the R&J moniker, and she certainly didn’t disappoint.
First up was the R&J Sour, a frothy little number that thoroughly surprised me. A traditional whiskey sour consists of whiskey or bourbon, lemon juice and sugar, plain and simple, but the R&J Sour kicks thing up a notch with the addition of an entire egg white. Gagging yet? Yeah, I was too until I tasted it; it had a milky sweetness that went swimmingly with the citrus and bourbon punch, and Sara said that dry-shaking the egg white with the lemon juice first helps to remove the germs (in case you’re not into pulling a Rocky), much like is done with ceviche. Top it with a cherry, and you’re good to go.
Next was the R&J Grasshopper, a classic after-dinner drink that fulfills all my childhood fantasies of adulthood. Featuring crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and none other than Braum’s mint chocolate chip ice cream, this delectable beverage is then poured into a cocktail glass and topped with fresh chocolate shavings. The R&J Grasshopper may not be a go-to after a long day at work, but if you’re going to indulge in dessert at some point in the evening then you might as well drink it.
Bartender Nick then stepped in to mix up the final libation — a take on a Tequila Sunrise, what he cleverly dubbed a Mezcal Sunset (just wait until you see it in person). After giving the highball glass a nice mezcal wash, he poured in crème de cassis — a sweet and thick liqueur made from blackcurrants — then added tequila, lime juice, and orange juice.
That’s what’s cool about R&J: Their beverages harken strongly to the 50s, 60s, and 70s, but their takes on them are definitely circa now. And if it’s good enough for Horse Thief, then it’s definitely good enough for you.
Your turn. Fancy yourself a mixmaster with the following cocktails:
R&J Sour
1 whole egg white
Lemon juice
Shake
Add bourbon
Shake again
Pour and top with cherry garnish
R&J Grasshopper
Crème de menthe
Crème de cacao
Braum’s mint chocolate chip ice cream
Top with chocolate shavings
Mezcal Sunset
Wash highball glass with mezcal
Pour in crème de cassis
Tequila
Lime juice
Orange juice
Shake and add to glass
Finish with lime wedge
