If you haven't already heard, Lafitte just opened this week on Pier 5. It's the first non-underground venture, now two years in the making, from chef Russell Jackson of Sub-Culture Dining fame, and it's both a fantastic space and an exciting new eatery on the scene. It's made doubly exciting by the cocktail menu from Shannon Tucker, which is inventive and tasty and built on constant experimentation, just like Russell's food.

"Most of my drinks come from wandering Berkeley Bowl and farmers' markets and then trying to think of interesting and balanced flavor profiles," Shannon tells SFist. "I was a baker at Tartine for almost three years, and then I was trained in wine by Steve Kopp. Those are the two greatest influences on making drinks for me. I approach cocktail making the way I would baking and the way I would tasting wine. This drink is one of my favorites because I just love tangy kumquat and the smoky flavor. To be honest I can't remember how I made it up."

The Smoke Screen
1 oz. chilled lapsoung souchon tea
3 kumquats sliced and seeded
2 oz. Old Overholt Rye
0.5 oz. Benedictine
0.5 oz. lemon juice
0.5 oz simple syrup

Muddle kumquats and tea in a shaker. Add other ingredients and shake vigorously at least 15 times. Strain over ice and garnish with a single kumquat slice.