A Fall Cocktail Menu That Adventurous Drinkers Will Obsess Over
If you’re a craft cocktail lover and an adventurous drinker — you’ve come to the right place.
If you’re getting tired of ordering your usual – and the “same old” is getting old – Wally’s has something new up our sleeve, and it’s going to blow away your tastebuds.
It’s for those who live on the exciting side of the flavor spectrum because “basic” just doesn’t cut it.
You’ve already had the classic Old Fashioned mixed with every high-end whiskey out there. You’ve tried every trendy Espresso Martini in the city. Or maybe you’re just ready to take your Aperol Spritz game to the next level.
For cocktail connoisseurs who are ready to try the most exciting seasonal flavors and drink cutting-edge craft beverages, our new Fall Cocktail Menu is exactly for you. (And, even if you like to play it safe, we’ve got something for you, too)
We’ve integrated ingredients that are unique, intriguing, and sourced from across the globe — in addition to celebrating seasonal Southern California flavors. Many of these ingredients are rarely found in cocktails today, but you’d be surprised at how well they work in your favorite drinks.
In fact, we’ve added over 25 exciting drinks to the Fall Cocktail Menu. This vastly increases our craft cocktail selection to match our powerhouse by-the-glass wine offerings.
We’ve incorporated a variety of styles, technique, and ingredients to bring in the key senses of sight, smell, touch, and taste. This all makes your drink — and your experience — so much more memorable.
That’s our secret to making an extraordinary cocktail for you.
And it begins with the brains behind the bar.
The Bar Man with the Plan
Wally’s Cocktail Lead Brandon Fay was tasked with bringing some new flavors to the bar. Fay has previously worked for similar high-end eateries including Mírame in Beverly Hills. Working in these settings, he’s seen a lot of trends come and go in the premium craft cocktail game.
“Nowadays, every shop in the city has a take on the Espresso Martini,” he says, adding, “Once a new drink takes hold, everyone starts doing it.”
Working in the uber competitive world of luxury dining, Fay has been challenged to level up his drinks and make them stand out in a fast-moving market. He’s worked extensively with clients who have lavish palates and expect nothing but the best. And that’s where he shines.
Making the Ordinary Into Something Extraordinary
“It’s one thing to just use an expensive liquor in a cocktail,” says Fay. “But if you break down the flavor profile and incorporate ingredients that highlight it, that’s how you create an extraordinary drink.”
Take, for example, one of Fay’s new additions to Wally’s Fall Cocktail Menu: the Cherry Bomb. At face value, it’s a Daiquiri made with tequila — which is unique on its own. But for the spirit, Fay made the outrageous decision to use Don Julio 1942, a famously high-end (and expensive) tequila. Why this choice?
“We pour more 1942 than anyone else – our customers love it!” exclaims Fay. “But I also saw the opportunity to work with an iconic spirit in a brand-new way, which no one else is doing.”
Fay’s Cherry Bomb is silky smooth and subtly sweet, thanks to the rich caramel notes of Don Julio 1942 blended with orgeat, citrus, and a spritz of cherry bitters. The resulting cocktail is fantastic to enjoy before dinner, with a meal, or on its own.
Famous Faces Inspire Great Fall Drinks
Another skill of Fay’s is taking a well-known classic and kicking it up a notch. That’s exactly what he’s done with the Bonded Brothers Old Fashioned, and there’s nothing old timey about it.
The cocktail is mixed with Brother’s Bond Cask Strength Bourbon, the latest in the lineup from co-creators Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesely, who bonded over their love of bourbon while filming The Vampire Diaries and went off to make their own stellar version of the spirit. Regulars at Wally’s, Somerhalder and Wesley joined Fay to create a cocktail that would do justice to their uniquely rich and complex bourbon. The result reflects the duo’s passion for good times and great cocktails.
“We wanted to make an Old Fashioned, but these guys are always looking for a way to spice things up,” says Fay. “We incorporated some heat with ancho chili liqueur and cardamom to really kick it up!”
And boy, did they kick it up. But with orange bitters to brighten the flavors and house made honey syrup to smooth it out, the cocktail isn’t just fire – it’s balanced, flavorful, and incredibly delicious.
Speaking of celebrities, another regular face at Wally’s is Sasha Vujacic, formerly of the Los Angeles Lakers. At a recent Wally’s dinner promoting Vujacic’s own winery, Aleksander, Fay mixed up a bespoke cocktail showcasing the Lakers colors of purple and gold.
“We jokingly called it ‘The Machine’ because that was Sasha’s nickname on the team, then word got out and people started asking for it,” says Fay.
Now, anyone can order The Machine and enjoy a taste of Vujacic’s signature drink, which at its heart is a traditional Vesper. The Wally’s version is a brightly colored celebration of Los Angeles, with blue butterfly pea flower infused gin, Lillet, and apricot aperitif.
Globally Inspired Cocktails in Los Angeles
Beyond the classics, international flavors abound in Wally’s Fall Cocktail Menu.
Fay says he loves discovering new flavors when he travels — whether it’s going abroad, or even just visiting bars across the city.
“I’ll try a new dish and notice an ingredient that really stands out and think to myself, ‘This is great, now how can I work it into a cocktail? What spirits would complement this cool flavor?’”
Fay’s uses his international repertoire alongside everyday cocktail ingredients to create unique twists on classic combinations. And sometimes, he uses them with seemingly mismatched ingredients to create something surprising and delightful.
You’ll taste Japanese Yuzu in Yuzu Amazing, which is Fay’s twist on a tequila sour. You’ll find activated charcoal in the inky black margarita made with Rancho de la Luna Mezcal named Midnight Special. You’ll get to try Facundo Neo Rum from Puerto Rico mixed with seasonal fruit in the elevated mojito Wally’s Mojo. There’s even muddled kiwi adding a tangy kick to the Japanese Mule containing Suntory Toki Japanese Whisky and Wally’s house made ginger beer.
Even if they come from different countries or cultures, ingredients from around the world find a common ground in Fay’s handmade, flavor-forward creations.
A Fresh Face For Aperol Spritz, Negroni, Espresso Martini, and More
There are also plenty of classic drinks done with an expert touch. Fay has carefully included many Los Angeles cocktail favorites and updated them with fresh flavors to keep things interesting.
On the lighter, fizzy side, there are two spritz options. The Pink Panther is a refreshing grapefruit Gin spritz that tastes perfect with brunch or light apps. The Santa Monica Spritz is a low ABV option with prosecco and elderflower giving it a fruity flair.
When it comes to a classic like the Negroni, Fay examined the flavors and found a way to make them shine even brighter. His Lavender Negroni fuses house made aloe vera and lavender aperitif with Japanese Gin, along with the traditional Campari, to create a warm and spicy cocktail.
While Espresso Martinis are all the rage in Los Angeles cocktails, Fay took the Wally’s offering in a slightly new direction by updating the classic Carajillo, a lesser-known espresso cocktail from Latin America. His Canon Carajillo combines aged Tequila with shaken espresso and citrusy Licor 43 to create a wonderfully sweet and spiced drink.
Finally, there’s the crowd favorite Paloma. To make his unique 90210MA, Fay brought in a special carbonation tap to offer his version on draft. He also crafted a special house made grapefruit soda to recreate the classic flavors of the drink.
Don’t Miss Wally’s Memorable Fall Cocktails — Available For a Limited Time
Whether you’re an adventurous drinker looking for a new discovery, or someone who loves the classics, Wally’s has your tastes in mind.
Brandon Fay has tapped into his years of experience crafting unique and premium cocktails, and he’s helped us launch a brand-new Fall Cocktail Menu with over 25 new drinks available at Wally’s. He sourced interesting ingredients from around the world and blended them with high-end spirits, to offer your palate a variety of cocktail types, styles, techniques, and ingredients.
The Fall Cocktail Menu is now available at all Wally’s locations, but only for a limited time! This is your chance to sip and savor exciting Fall cocktails before the menu changes next season.
Discover our new cocktails at the bar or from your server by visiting us in person!