Welcome to the Los Angeles Times Cocktail Issue, a terrific compendium of Jonathan Gold's 26 favorite cocktails, a consideration of great bartenders, mocktails, cocktail ice, bar gear -- and what to eat with all those martinis.

The Negroni cocktail at Scopa Italian Roots.

(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The Cocktail Issue

The Negroni cocktail at Scopa Italian Roots.

(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

26 great cocktails in Los Angeles

By Jonathan Gold

Cheers! It’s six o’clock somewhere. And while your attention may have been diverted elsewhere, Los Angeles has become a first-rate cocktail town. May we refresh your drink? Read more

The Floradora mocktail at Redbird combines lime juice and homemade grenadine. Read the recipe.

(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Some fake cocktails, or mocktails, are worth a try

By Amy Scattergood

Non-drinkers rejoice: Creative bartenders are working their magic minus the booze.

Flight of Vodka Oyster Shooters, from left to right, The Red Devil, The Sunset and The Kentucky, with an oyster platter at Tipple & Brine.

(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Modern bartenders have all sorts of complicated gizmos they use to create cocktails, such as an immersion circulator for flash infusing.

(Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)