Though International Women’s Day 2026 has come and gone, the month is still young. Restaurants across the Sacramento area are raising funds to uplift women in the restaurant and hospitality industry.
More than a dozen restaurants in the capital region are donating proceeds from specialty cocktails to the Sacramento chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International — an organization aimed at providing resources to women in the food, beverage, hospitality, agriculture and other related industries.
The fundraiser, in honor of Women’s History Month, is sponsored by Nixtaco’s proprietary spirit brand, Dorotea Gin. Most, if not all, of the limited-time cocktails available throughout March feature the local corn-based gin.
Half of the revenue from each cocktail sale at the 18 participating restaurants will go to Les Dames d’Escoffier’s Sacramento branch. The cocktails will be available through the end of March, according to social media posts by participating businesses.
According to the group, its focus is on providing education and mentorship opportunities to women in food-related industries across 40 chapters spanning five countries.
In the Sacramento area, 17 restaurants and bars have mixed up unique, limited-time beverages to support the philanthropic group. Some participating restaurants have posted their creations on social media ahead of time.
Ella Dining Room and Bar in downtown Sacramento created a pale purple “Flowers for Les Dames” drink, featuring gin, vermouth, lemon, vanilla and passionfruit soda, garnished with a miniature bouquet of pansies. Camden Spit & Larder has a more floral take, with Dorotea Gin, Cocchi Americano aperitif wine, cranberry, lavender and butterfly pea flower for a pastel hue.
In Auburn, the recent James Beard Award-nominated Restaurant Josephine is honoring its chef and co-owner, Courtney McDonald, with a savory twist on a Last Word cocktail. The restaurant is mixing Dorotea Gin with Mexican corn liqueur, Oaxacan chile pasilla liqueur, Strega Liqueur, tangelo and lime.
These are the 17 bars and eateries shaking up cocktails for Les Dames d’Escoffier’s fundraiser this month, according to the organization’s social media:
Bella Bru Cafe, Sacramento and CarmichaelCamden Spit & Larder, downtown SacramentoCanon, East SacramentoElla Dining Room and Bar, downtown SacramentoEncanto Cocina & Tequila Bar, El Dorado HillsGood Neighbor, midtown SacramentoHawks, Granite BayHawks Public House, East SacramentoHouse Divided, RosevilleMagpie Cafe, midtown SacramentoMulvaney’s B&L, midtown SacramentoNixtaco, Roseville and FolsomRestaurant Josephine, AuburnScott’s Seafood Roundhouse, FolsomThe 7th Street Standard, downtown SacramentoThe Golden Bear, midtown SacramentoVacanza Romana, El Dorado Hills
Les Dames d’Escoffier also has an online donations platform on its website for people who aren’t able to purchase the specialty fundraiser drinks but still want to donate.
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Camila Pedrosa is a service journalism reporter at The Sacramento Bee. She previously worked as a summer reporting intern for The Bee and reported in Phoenix and Washington, D.C. She graduated from Arizona State University with a master’s degree in mass communication.