Unique Garnishes Make a Splash in Cocktails
When it comes to cocktails, the garnish is much more than unnecessary flourish. Where dexterous mixologists are involved, the garnish is as much a part of the drink as the liquor, the bitters, and the infusions, not to mention it lends that show-stopping pop upon presentation. From gold-painted mint leaves to avian-inspired orange peels, here are some of the most awe-inducing garnishes bedecking cocktails in Chicago right now.
At JIMMY, lead bartender Matt Hunnel pays dutiful mind to his cocktail garnishes, ensuring each one gets just the proper finish. Garnishes are gold-painted mint leaves used to enhance the Ambre Cabaret cocktail made with Grey Goose vodka, La Muse Verte absinthe, rose syrup, Dom Benedictine, and fresh lemon juice. Per Hunnel, the golden mint leaf is said to pay homage to the palaces of France. Another nifty garnish is the charred rosemary sprig used to bedeck the Smoking Jacket. Not only does it tie in nicely with the name, but the aroma perfectly captures that heady essence, complimenting the medley of mezcal, Breckenridge bitters, Cocchi Americano, and Green Chartreuse.
At The Duck Inn in Bridgeport, the namesake drink is a Cognac digestif washed with duck fat, courtesy of senior executive bar director Brandon Phillips. In case that wasn’t enough to wow you, there’s a duck-shaped orange peel involved. The avian-shaped citron is nestled atop a mix of duck fat-washed Cognac, Giffard Creme de Mure, Lustao Manzanilla sherry, and Chinese five-spice syrup.
One of the oddest and most adorable trends in cocktail adornment as of late is the concept of the banana dolphin. It’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like, a banana cut and accented to resemble a dolphin. This is done by slicing the top piece of a banana open to make a “mouth,” then adding slivers of bamboo for “flippers” and cloves for “eyes.” These cute fruits can be found awash in tiki drinks at Three Dots and a Dash, Lost Lake, and Boystown’s new tropical Dive Bar.
JIMMY
610 N. Rush Street, Chicago
(312) 660-7191
Website
The Duck Inn
2701 S. Eleanor Street, Chicago
(312) 724-8811
Website
Three Dots and a Dash
435 N. Clark Street, Chicago
(312) 610-4220
Website
Lost Lake
3154 W. Diversey Avenue, Chicago
(773) 293-6048
Website
Dive Bar
3445 N. Halsted Street, Chicago
(773) 770-4681
Website
