ReturnSpice | ATLANTA "Cocktail engineer" Gina Word prepared her first batch of Midtown Sangria in the Nevada desert, at the counterculture festival Burning Man. DETAILS 793 Juniper St.; 404-875-4242.
Cuchi Cuchi | BOSTON AREA The Thai Martini was inspired by a Thai soup recipe made with apple and coconut milk. DETAILS 795 Main St., Cambridge; 617-864-2929.
Elm Street Liquors | CHICAGO ESL has two drink menus: One for girly cocktails, such as Sudden Headache, served in flutes; one for more macho options, like Arm Candy, served in pilsners. DETAILS 12 W. Elm St.; 312-337-3200.
Monsoon | CHICAGO Drinks like Star of India and Silk Road match the restaurant's modern Indian menu and design. DETAILS 2813 N. Broadway St.; 773-665-9463.
Mario's Double Daughter's Salotto | DENVER The bar is named for the conjoined daughters of Mario Guccio, a friend of the owners'. DETAILS 1632 Market St.; 303-623-3505.
Blue Martini, Birmingham | DETROIT AREA There are always at least 25 martinis on this lounge's menu. DETAILS 201 Hamilton Row, Birmingham; 248-258-3005.
The Sam [Bar] | HOUSTON The bar is in the newly renovated Sam Houston Hotel, which sports a 1920s sign offering $2 lodgings. DETAILS 1117 Prairie St.; 832-200-8889.
Michael Mina | LAS VEGAS The drinks are inspired by famous San Francisco cocktails. DETAILS Bellagio, 3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd.; 702-693-8199.
Grace | LOS ANGELES Bar manager and screenwriter Jeremiah Doherty shows off his literary side when naming his drinks; the Roof Garden is made with thyme and mint. DETAILS 7360 Beverly Blvd.; 323-934-4400.
Martini Bar at the Raleigh Hotel | MIAMI The 1940s Art Deco classic is supertrendy now that hotelier André Balazs has bought it. DETAILS 1775 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-534-6300.
Carmen the Restaurant | MIAMI AREA Demand for coquito, a Latin take on eggnog, was so great that Carmen now serves it year-round. DETAILS The David William Hotel, 700 Biltmore Way, Coral Gables; 305-913-1944.
Loa | NEW ORLEANS Dozens of candles create a romantic mood; in fact, there's no electric light at all. DETAILS 221 Camp St.; 504-553-9550.
Kittichai | NEW YORK CITY Bar chef Albert Trummer, who makes many of his own mixers, is the cocktail consultant at this SoHo restaurant. DETAILS 60 Thompson hotel, 60 Thompson St.; 212-219-2000.
Silverleaf Tavern | NEW YORK CITY The drinks list at the brand-new Kimpton hotel's restaurant is the work of cocktail master Dale DeGroff. DETAILS 43 E. 38th St.; 212-973-2550.
Twenty Manning | PHILADELPHIA Renowned for its Black Angus burgers—named best in the city by Philadelphia magazine—this restaurant also serves great cocktails. DETAILS 261 S. 20th St.; 215-731-0900.
Jade | SAN FRANCISCO A 20-foot-tall waterfall spans all three levels of this lounge, from the upstairs loft to the avocado-green basement bar. DETAILS 650 Gough St.; 415-869-1900.
Levende | SAN FRANCISCO This sprawling gallery-like space features work by emerging artists, graffiti on the walls and a DJ every night. DETAILS 1710 Mission St.; 415-864-5585.
Brasa | SEATTLE Two locally famous women are in charge here: Mi Suk Ahn is behind the bar and Tamara Murphy (an F&W Best New Chef 1994) is in the kitchen. DETAILS 2107 Third Ave.; 206-728-4220.
Jäger | SEATTLE AREA Noted mixologist Ryan Magarian plays up cocktail-and-food pairings. The Jägerschnitzel is recommended with the Spice cocktail. DETAILS 148 Lake St. S., Kirkland; 425-803-3310.
Degrees | WASHINGTON, DC The bar once housed an incinerator, which gives the place its name. Charismatic bartender Michael Brown teaches monthly bartending workshops. DETAILS The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, 3100 South St. NW; 202-912-4100.
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