THE NEW COCKTAILIAN >>>

David Benefiel cracks open the egg, tosses it back and forth until only the yolk remains in the shell, shakes the canister, and then shakes some more, arms extended at a perfect 45 degrees, his body motionless, the rhythm falling somewhere between a tango and a foxtrot. He cracks open the shaker, pours the contents through a filter, stirs in a bit of 151 proof rum, grabs some fire and it's flame on. This is a Spring Fling Flambé, perhaps my favorite cocktail on Maxwell's new handcrafted cocktail menu.

I would know. I've popped into Maxwell's Speakeasy several times this week to sip their new spring cocktail menu.

"I was allowed to put my creative touch on the bar menu. It was time to take this Speakeasy to hand-crafted cocktail land," says Maxwell's mixologist David, who has returned to the fine dining restaurant in the Historic Walker Building after a stint bartending in Port Townsend. "A few of the drinks are new spins on classics. I've added St. Germaine and Pacifique Absinthe to the mix. I've even made my own ginger ale and sugar."

It's true. David adds burnt orange to sugar then grinds it extra fine in a coffee grinder.

No one was happier than I when David returned to Maxwell's. His service aspect, spirits knowledge and creativity were missed.

"We have a new spirit at Maxwell's," adds David with a laugh.

Here are a few of my favorite new drinks at Maxwell's:

• Spring Fling Flambé: Tuaca, Grand Marnier, fresh orange and lemon, egg white, burnt orange sugar rim, flambéed with 151 proof rum - $11
• Bottom Floor Sazerac: (ri)1 Whiskey, Pacifique Absinthe, Peychaud Bitters, rosemary infused simple syrup and a lemon twist - $11
• Juice Joint Fizz: Pisco, muddled red grapes and lime, elderflower liqueur, finished with bubbly - $9
• Sanstone Old Fashion: Eagle Rare 10 Year Bourbon, bitters, muddled oranges, lemon and cherries, raw brown sugar cube, and a splash of soda - $9
• And How Press: Bulleit Bourbon, ginger liqueur, house-made ginger ale - $8

His libations are good enough that you may never crack open the wine list.

I suggest dropping by Maxwell's tonight before the Cabaret show at the Pantages.

[Maxwell's Speakeasy + Lounge, 454 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.683.4115]