OOH, LA, LA

Brasserie Le Coze (3393 Peachtree Road N.E. at Lenox Square) must be out to prove the French aren't bitter. Things are decidedly sweet with its Raspberry French Kiss. A raspberry purée (raspberries, lime juice, water and sugar) provides a nectarous mix for this champagne cocktail. Sounds as light and fluffy as a miniature poodle.

(ENLARGE)
Think of the Raspberry French Kiss as a sweet sensation.
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COCKTAILS IN THE KITCHEN

South City Kitchen's (1144 Crescent Ave., Midtown) summer cocktail menu is multitasking. Of course, fun and fruitiness are there with the Peachtree Sunrise (Absolut peach vodka, Cointreau, orange juice and grenadine) and the Green Apple Mojito (Bacardi Big Apple rum with muddled mint, lime and sugar). But things toughen up a bit with the Whisky River (Markers Mark bourbon, lemon juice, ginger ale and a splash of Southern Comfort). After a tiring summer day, the Javatini seems like a remedy with Starbucks Coffee liqueur, butterscotch schnapps, Baileys Irish cream and an optional shot of espresso.

HIGH-DOLLAR VODKA

Shelling out big clams for vodka is a bit of a status symbol. The recently released Stolichnaya Elit is another brand primed for peacocking. At $60 per 750 milliliter bottle, Stoli is billing it as an "ultra luxury" vodka. Why the price? Stoli says it's because of the long distillation and freeze filtration processes, as well as its grade of ingredients. The freeze filtration, it adds, is an old-school method dating back to Russian czars.

— Jon Waterhouse

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE DRINK? Best deal? Smoothest bartender? Fill us in on your swingin' cocktails: access@ajc.com.