Seasonal Sips
In Chicago’s masterful bar scene, cocktails are as seasonal and dynamic as the weather. So with autumn on the way, it’s time for cocktail menus to shift and make way for bold new spirits.
One of the quintessential craft cocktail bars on the north side, Barrelhouse Flat never fails to dazzle with novel interpretations of seasonal libations. The latest batch of featured cocktails, which shift every eight weeks, features an array of inspired creations from different staff members. Owner Stephen Cole masterminded the Whac-A-Mole made with mezcal, Cynar, lime, simple syrup, mint, and I.P.A. beer, while Jessica Tessendorf spearheaded the Buick Century Makeout Session, featuring bourbon, honey, lemon, peach shrub, vanilla-cardamom bitters, and sparkling wine. Rice and almond water make for an enriching new entrant in the Horchata Borracha, outfitted with rum, cream, and orange flower water. Another potent potable is the Shady Grove, a rum and bourbon elixir made with lemon, Luxardo bitter, Amaro Nardini, grenadine, simple syrup, and chili de arbor bitters.
Quartino Ristorante & Wine Bar may be a vino Mecca, but don’t overlook the assortment of craft cocktails, newly introduced to the beverage program. Of course, many of the cocktails adhere to Italian flavors, like the blood orange juice and Prosecco resplendent in the Italian 75, a riff on the classic French 75, or the Vin Santo fortified wine and Ramazotti Italian liquor infused in The Coletta, an Italian twist on the Manhattan named after chef John Coletta. Additionally, guests have the option to order several cocktails by the carafe in various sizes. Shareable options include the Cello Spritz made with housemade limoncello, grapefruitcello, orangecello, or fragocello (strawberry) with Prosecco and club soda; the Aperol Spritz; sangria; and white peach bellinis.
Summer isn’t quite over yet. A nice reminder of that are the late-summer cocktails on deck at JIMMY. New warm-weather libations include the White Negroni with Ford’s gin, Combier Pamplemousse, and Carpano Bianco; the grilled pineapple mojito; and the Trophy Wife made with Mae de Ouro Cachaca, passion fruit puree, simple syrup, hibiscus bitters, and Prosecco. Autumn may be on its way, but JIMMY’s fresh new cocktails still taste like lingering vacation.
Another apropos summer sendoff are the quenching cocktails being served at Scofflaw. Fresh new creations include tiki-inspired vittles like the Hanging Moon (rye whiskey, blackberry liqueur, lemon, mango syrup, tiki bitters), the Swizzle Eight (Jamaican rum, lime, raspberry syrup, and Falernum), a pine colada, and Red Deer (bonded bourbon, Blackstrap rum, plantain tepache, Fernet, and mint).
House-infused spirits, seasonal fruits, and herbs are the stars of the show at Troquet River North, where the latest batch of cocktails celebrate that summer swan song as well. For example, house-infused bourbon with lemon, orange, vanilla, shaken with strawberry puree; house-infused vodka within blueberry, cucumber, and a soda and Sprite topper; and house-infused tequila with jalapeño, watermelon juice, and lemon.
Barrelhouse Flat
2624 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago
(773) 857-0421
Website
Quartino Ristorante & Wine Bar
626 N. State Street, Chicago
(312) 698-5000
Website
JIMMY
610 N. Rush Street, Chicago
(312) 660-7191
Website
Scofflaw
3201 W. Armitage Avenue, Chicago
(773) 252-9700
Website
Troquet River North
111 W. Huron Street, Chicago
(312) 202-9900
Website
