I am a masochist. I’ve been burned in the past by sweet-sounding trendy cocktails, little drinks that give me shivers and immediate buyers remorse after the first sip. Yet I keep ordering them at every new restaurant. It’s not often I find a mixed drink that I actually enjoy, which is why I usually stick with Riesling. However, when I do find a diamond in the rough, I make sure to write it down. Below are my current favorites.
Lemongrass Pisco Sour, Chifa
What kind of cocktails would you expect at a Peruvian-Chinese Garces bar? Quail eggs, guava butter and tiger milk are just a few of the ingredients in the dishes at Chifa. Chifa’s cocktails are no less interesting and mind-blowing. The Lemongrass Pisco Sour here is made with Pisco brandy, fresh lime juice and lemongrass, a refreshing treat for any fan of the traditional drink.
Figoune, Parc
Sure, Parc serves me some of the best white wine and liquors I’ve had this side of the Atlantic, but their few cocktails are expertly crafted and worth a shot. For the most bang for your buck, you should try the whiskey and absinthe mix, but for those with more sensitive stomachs, I recommend the Figoune, a light cocktail made with fig and red wine spritzer.
The Fitz Water, Snackbar
St. Germain is one of my favorite drinks. Unfortunately, it’s about as hard to find at a bar in Philly as a smoking area. The few bars that do carry the elderflower liquor are few and far between, and (unless you are on the beach in Nice, France mid-afternoon) it seems it’s never the right time to be sipping St. Germain on the rocks with a splash of tonic. Snackbar has my panacea: tequila, St. Germain, pineapple basil and lime. Makes me want to retire and sit at outdoor cafes in Capri all day.
Yuzu Chu-Hai, Pod
Shochu is a rare (in Philadelphia, at least) mild Japanese vodka-esce spirit. It’s more mild than most vodkas, but packs more punch than sake and is perfect in Pod’s Yuzu Chu-Hai cocktail, made with Iichiko Mugi Shochu, juice from the yuzu flower, Calpico (a milky soft drink from Japan) and fresh grapefruit.
AroundPhilly Staff
