San Francisco's cocktail scene has seen a surge of innovation, but perhaps none as unique as the 30-Minute Soufflé cocktail that's stirring up a buzz at Causwells. The creator behind the blend, Elmer Mejicanos, is no stranger to creative mixology, having spun out drinks inspired by Girl Scout cookies and low-proof concoctions. His latest creation, a gin fizz-inspired marvel, takes the classic cocktail's aesthetic to an entirely new level.
Mejicanos's cocktail is a game-changer for gin fizz lovers with an eye for presentation and a palette for nuanced flavors. The idea was to remedy a common flaw of the traditional fizz—the neglected head. "You always put all this work and effort into eggs, cream, lemon, and all this stuff, and shake it for 17 hours," Mejicanos jokes, "and then you put it in and they don't even drink it, it's at the bottom of the glass." He told Eater San Francisco about his new technique, which encourages sipping the drink and enjoying the head in unison, yielding less waste and a complete tasting experience.
The soufflé's base comprises tarragon-infused gin paired with honey, cream, egg whites, and a medley of citrus juices. But, the magic happens in the prep work. The cocktail's assembly follows a stringent 30-minute process. It includes 15 minutes in a freezer to set the foam and another quarter-hour in a cooler, ensuring it's served at just the right texture and temperature. The concoction has proven so popular that Causwells can only keep up by making 20 per day—and they're selling out like hotcakes, as per the restaurant's Instagram announcement.
Upon arrival at the table, the cocktail presents a visually and gastronomically satisfying experience. The soufflé is garnished with powdered sugar and microplaned citrus zest, served with a spoon and straw. Mejicanos instructs consumers to "just grab a spoonful of the top" and then sip to enjoy a "nice little gin soufflé cocktail". The feedback echoes the concoction's devotion to craft, with visitors to Causwells captivated by this new addition to the cocktail menu.
Causwells, located at 2346 Chestnut Street, is eagerly awaiting cocktail enthusiasts from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, ensuring each crafted soufflé cocktail is served at its deliciously engineered best.
