Send in the booze

I’m always a fan of cocktails, assuming they can take the spirits at hand and craft something that uniquely highlights the liquors without sending them to clown town with flavored vodkas or little umbrellas. But the circus-themed Greatest Cocktail on Earth event at The Citizen Hotel ballroom on Friday promises good drinks without big red noses—or umbrellas.

Bartender Ryan Seng of Grange will be working with celebrated Bourbon and Branch bartender Jayson Wilde. Original cocktails include the Big Top (a drink consisting of Woodford Reserve bourbon, Averna Amaro, sarsaparilla, sassafras syrup and vanilla-infused Angostura) and the Bearded Lady (a cocktail take on bananas foster, using banana-infused Highland Park 12-year-old single-malt Scotch, cacao nib and stout syrup).

Performers will also be putting on a show at 7 p.m., and various circus-themed nibbles will be available. The Greatest Cocktail on Earth starts at 5 p.m. on August 19, 926 J Street; free admission, drinks are $8. For more information, visit the website at www.grangesacramento.com.