Drink of the Week: Conduit's Tuscan Holiday

T. Palmer

​Take a break from all those too-sweet, too-creamy holiday cocktails with Reza Esmaili's Tuscan Holiday, served at Conduit (280 Valencia at 14th St.). Esmaili, who is also the president of the NorCal Chapter of the United States Bartenders Guild, blends Cadenhead's Old Raj 46 proof dry gin, with its notes of saffron and juniper, with Tuaca (Tuscan vanilla brandy), huckleberry puree, and lemon juice. The result is a subtle, well-balanced beverage that nails the craved winter elements of sugar and spice.