March 24, 2022 — Celebrate the ultimate Friday eve with a craft cocktail (or two) in honor of National Cocktail Day on Thursday, March 24. We’ve gathered a plethora of noteworthy, expertly curated tipples from locales including Forsythia, Royal Boucherie, Art in the Age, Red Owl Tavern, New Liberty Distillery, Townsend EPX, and much more.
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Art in the Age, Old City’s one-of-a-kind tasting room, home bar supply and bottle shop, has a line of spirits that integrate ingredients from Pennsylvania history that imbibers can enjoy at the newly reopened indoor bar and tasting room and al fresco cocktail garden! Guests are invited to stop by for a tasty tipple curated by in-house mixologist Jackie Nevin with seasonal standout sippers including Rosy Martinez composed of New Liberty Distillery Snug Harbor Gin, cherry vermouth, rosehip tisane, and toasted almond & cherry bark vanilla bitters, and Berry Boulevardier crafted with Kinsey Rye Whiskey, Art in the Age Blueberry Cordial, El Guapo Strawberry Syrup, Campari, Folkington’s Earl Grey Tonic, Fee Brother’s Lime Bitters, and Addition Thyme Bitters.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Thursday, 12 – 6pm, Friday and Saturday, 12 – 7pm, and Sunday, 12 – 6pm
116 N 3rd Street | 215.922.2600 | http://artintheage.com/
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Bluebird Distilling, Phoenixville’s award-winning grain-to-glass craft distillery, hits it out of the park with their extensive selection of cocktails utilizing the impressive variety of craft spirits spanning Four Grain Bourbon, Junipersus Gin, Sugarcane Rum, and everything in-between.
Crowd pleasing sippers available on their libations menu from Beverage Director Matt Giarratano include Bored Bermuda Yacht Club ($11) composed of dark rum, coconut rum, pandan, lime, falernum, and nutmeg, Vicious Dissent ($12) crafted with barrel-rested gin, agave salvaje reposado, dry vermouth, honey, lavender, habanero, and salt rim, and the cozy Campfire Chat ($11) prepared with White Rye Whiskey, chocolate & chicory-pecan bitters, and toasted marshmallow.
Sister company, Char & Stave Coffee opening this Monday, March 21 in Ardmore, provides an all-day café and cocktail bar from Bluebird Distilling’s Master Distiller and Founder Jared Adkins. A selection of signature cocktails and mocktails courtesy of Giarratano include Rising Sun crafted with Sugarcane Rum, mint, lemon, honey, and green and chamomile tea, Caffè Negroni composed of Juniperus Gin, cold brew, bitter Italian soda, and an orange peel, and Char & Stave Martini with Bluebird Vodka, house-roasted espresso, and toasted cardamom.
Bluebird Distilling hours of operation: Monday through Thursday, 4 – 11pm, and Friday through Sunday, 1 – 11pm
Char & Stave hours of operation: Monday – Thursday, 7am – 11pm, Friday, 7am – 12am, Saturday, 8am – 12am, and Sunday, 8am – 11am
100 Bridge Street | 610.933.7827 | https://bluebirddistilling.com/
21 Rittenhouse Place | 484.414.4102 | www.charandstave.com
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Forsythia, Old City’s contemporary French bar and restaurant helmed by Chef Christopher Kearse, boasts an ever-evolving cocktail list that pairs perfectly with the seasonal French fare from Chef and Proprietor Christopher Kearse.
Whether sipping solo or alongside small plates, enjoy the RBG&T composed of gin, rose, lemon, and aromatic tonic, Smoking Carrot crafted with mezcal, carrot and ginger cordial, and lemon, The Blackstar prepared with gin, blackberry gastrique, hibiscus and lemon, and Ay Dios Miso composed of tequila, pomegranate, and miso.
Hours of operation: Wednesday through Sunday, 5 – 10pm for dinner service, and Saturday and Sunday, 10:30am – 2pm for brunch service
233 Chestnut Street | 215.644.9395 | https://www.forsythiaphilly.com/
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New Liberty Distillery, South Kensington’s craft distillery and home to award-winning spirit lines such as the revived heritage Kinsey brand, offers spirit-enthusiasts an array of delightful, seasonal libations to enjoy in the recently re-opened third-floor tasting room.
Fan favorite craft cocktails include (but are not limited to) Applebottom composed of Dreadnought White Rum, apple cordial, bitters, maple syrup, and ginger beer, Seafoam crafted with Powderhorn Vodka, matcha, and Crème de Coconut, and a riff on the classic cocktail, King’s Manhattan featuring Kinsey Rye Whiskey, sweet vermouth, Angostura and orange bitters, and an orange peel for garnish.
Hours of operation: Thursday 4 – 10 pm, Friday and Saturday 4 – 11 pm, Saturday 2 – 11 pm, and Sunday 1 – 6 pm.
1431 N Cadwallader St. | 267.928.4650 | https://newlibertydistillery.com/
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Oloroso, Philadelphia’s premier Spanish restaurant, has an acclaimed bar program with exclusive Spanish wines, dessert wine, sherry, and an ever-evolving craft cocktail menu including the pleasing G n T ($14) composed of Nordés Spanish Gin from Galacia, tonic, and a fresh sprig of rosemary adding a distinct pine essence, Esteban ($15) crafted with gin, Bonanto, vermouth blanc, and sage syrup, and The Good Reverend ($15) composed of whiskey, lemon, spiced tea, and vermouth tinto.
Hours of operation are Wednesday and Thursday from 5 – 10pm, Friday and Saturday from 5 – 11pm, and Sunday from 5 – 9pm.
1121 Walnut Street | 267-324-3014 | www.olorosophl.com/
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Red Owl Tavern, the modern American tavern on Independence Mall, recently rolled out an effervescent line-up of spring cocktails in addition to their already superb beverage menu. Seasonal sippers include Butterfly Effect composed of peaflower strawberry-infused vodka, Saint Germain, lavender honey, and topped with prosecco, Snap Dragon crafted with Cachaça and mezcal, spiced chili bitters, and Ancho Reyes Verde Chile Poblano Liqueur, and Rusty Nail combining grilled orange-infused Kinsey Single Hive Honey Whiskey and Monkey Shoulder Scotch with Drambuie Scotch Liqueur – all concocted by Lead Bartender Christopher Devern.
Devern is also the in-house mixologist at Stratus Rooftop Lounge, located 11 floors above Red Owl Tavern. Newly launched tipples include The Aviator composed of peaflower-infused gin, cherry, Italicus, and Saint Germain, and Scarlet Begonia, a riff on the standard rum punch with passionfruit and hibiscus.
Red Owl Tavern hours of operation: Monday through Wednesday, 8am – 9pm, Thursday and Friday, 8am – 10pm, Saturday, 9am – 10pm, Sunday, 9am – 3pm.
Stratus Rooftop Lounge hours of operation: Thursday through Saturday, 8pm – 2am
433 Chestnut Street | 215.923.2267 | www.redowltavern.com/
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Rex at The Royal, Philly’s sexiest new restaurant and destination for elevated Southern and Lowcountry cuisine, produces a laundry list of expertly crafted cocktails that vary in seasonality, spirits, and flavor profiles, courtesy of Bar Manager Joshua Scheid. Highlights from the robust, rotating menu include Por Dio ($13) prepared with blanco tequila, carrot, turmeric, lime, and Galliano, Hoodoo Voodoo ($12) composed of chicory liqueur, brandy, cold brew coffee, and cinnamon, and Royal Martini ($21) crafted with olive oil washed Spanish gin, Spanish dry vermouth, herbs de Provence, and Birchrun blue cheese stuffed olives.
Hours of operation: Sunday through Thursday, 5 – 10pm and Friday through Saturday, 5 – 11pm
1524 South St. | 267.319.1366 | www.rexphl.com
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Royal Boucherie, Old City’s atmospheric and lively neighborhood restaurant and bar, has a beverage menu brimming with exceptionally curated and beautifully crafted cocktails from Bar Manager and Beverage Expert Samantha Seltzer, ranging from classics to seasonal to temperance tipples. Highlights from the extensive, ever-growing line-up include a vibrant Castles Made of Sand ($14) composed of Hendricks Gin, Crème de Violette, orange liqueur, and lemon, Parisian Rose ($13) crafted with hibiscus-infused bourbon, lemon, and egg white, and Monet Exchange ($14) consisting of Tito’s Vodka, St. Germain, Dolin Blanc, grapefruit, lemon, and rosemary.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Sunday, 4 – 10 pm for dinner service, and Sunday from 10am – 3pm for brunch service.
52 S. 2nd Street | 267.606.6313 | https://www.royalboucherie.com/
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Townsend EPX, Chef Townsend Wentz’s award-winning French restaurant and bar on East Passyunk Avenue, is the go-to destination for top tier French fare and expertly crafted cocktails incorporating bold but balanced flavors. Highlights include Duck a L’orange constructed from Duck Whiskey, Grand Marnier, Absinthe, and spice, The Provencal Fizz composed of lavender-infused gin, cognac, lemon, cider, and egg white, and Rose Quartz crafted with Espolon Blanco, Campari, Lemon, Luxardo, and cherry.
Hours of operation: Wednesday through Saturday, 5 – 9pm, with bar service extending to 2am, and Sunday, 5pm – 12am
1623 E Passyunk Ave | 267.239.5643 | www.townsendepx.com
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The Twisted Tail, popular Southern-inspired restaurant and bar on Headhouse Square, excels in delicious libations including their craft cocktails such as the Champagne Pop, made up of lemon or strawberry popsicle with Champagne, The “Boog” consisting of The Twisted Tail Buffalo Trace Barrel Select, locally sourced blueberries and honey, rosemary, and lemon, and Smokestack Lightening composed of mezcal, orange, lemon, sweet vermouth, and cherry.
Hours of operation: Monday through Thursday 4—10pm, Friday 4—12am, Saturday 11—12am and Sunday 10—10pm
509 S. 2nd Street | 215.558.2471 | http://thetwistedtail.com/
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Urban Farmer, Logan Square’s modern American steakhouse, brings variety to their beverage menu with a bevy of seasonally apt sippers and no proof cocktails. Imbibers can choose from an extensive menu featuring Yuzu 92 ($16) crafted with Bluecoat Gin, yuzu, gentian, rosemary, and sparkling, and Old Curmudgeon ($16) made up of bourbon, lemon, Aperol, cynar, and red pepper jelly.
For those looking to enjoy a delicious non-alc beverage, crowd-pleasing creations include Pal-No-Ma ($7) composed of grapefruit, lime, agave, sea salt, and soda, Pomegranate Spritz ($7) prepared with pomegranate, lime, rosemary, and soda, and Zen Martini ($7) crafted with bergamot-fennel tea, lemon, honey, orange, and cardamom,
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday, 8am – 9pm, and Sunday, 8am – 3pm
1850 Benjamin Franklin Parkway | 215.963.2788 | https://www.urbanfarmersteakhouse.com/philadelphia-happenings/
-Nicole Schofield