Joonbug.com: 5 of Philadelphia's Best Cocktails
In a city as rich and cultural as Philadelphia, food can be a very important aspect of your experience here, however beside the food is invariably the drink, wherein Philadelphia has just as much to offer. Beer, wine, liquor, you'll find all of it and more all throughout the city. That makes it pretty difficult to know where to start, but hopefully this article will give you some ideas. Here it goes... the five best cocktails in Philadelphia!
1) Margarita- Dos Segundos
Now, as a college student, I can only sometimes afford a $15 cocktail that's standard in some of the more upscale bars in Philadelphia. However, when I can't afford that (or even sometimes when I can) I find myself at Dos Segundos where you can find the most delicious margarita for the most reasonable price. They have a variety of margarita types (some that you can personalize by selecting a fruit puree to include) and some special margaritas (the El Dorado is refreshingly delightful and the El Corazon kicks you in the back of the throat with a playful spiciness) however, my honest-to-God favorite is the Classic Margarita. What makes this margarita so special is the quality- well-mixed and made with 100% fresh lime juice instead of sour mix- trust me, it really makes a difference. Get any of your margs regular or frozen, and if you really want the best bang for your buck, seriously think about the pitcher- $27 dollars for the classic margarita, and about 6 glasses per pitcher (Happy Hour pitchers are half priced!)
2) Chaos Theory- Franklin Bar
Honestly, I could write pages on The Franklin Bar. The whole menu is made up of some of the best cocktails in the city and there really is something for everyone, but the one I think is particularly good is known as the Chaos Theory. Any of my friends will tell you that I'm not a frequent whiskey drinker, but in this drink I find whiskey absolutely delightful- the sharpness of the rye whiskey is severely lightened up by hibiscus, lemon juice, Peychaud's bitters, orange flower water, and egg white. You read that right... egg white. If you've never had an egg white in your drink, it's definitely worth a try and this may be the drink to try it in. It gives the drink a lovely foamy texture that complements the light and flowery taste without losing the distinctive note of whiskey.
Franklin Bar has two sections: the upstairs and the downstairs. The upstairs bar features a smaller, rotating menu made up of the main downstairs bar's drinks, but it's more informal and relaxed. Downstairs has the larger menu, but definitely has a higher class feel and if that isn't what you're looking for, it can be a bit overwhelming.
3) City on Fire- Charlie Was A Sinner.
While the Chaos Theory is technically a whiskey drink, if you're looking for a whiskey drink with a darker bite, the City on Fire at Charlie Was A Sinner is the way to go. Johnnie Walker, Punt e mes, Luxardo, Angostura, and Applewood smoke fuse together to create a cocktail with a scorching scent that transforms into a light simmer when you sip it. The Applewood Smoke emanates to create a fresh-off-the-grill aroma that melts with the sharp alcohol to find perfect balance on the back of your tongue. It may be called the City on Fire, but truthfully it's the gentlest of smoky blazes dancing in your mouth.
4) Wisconsin Iced Tea- Hop Sing Laundromat
Hop Sing Laundromat, a dodgy speakeasy in Chinatown, works very hard to cultivate it's aura of mystery- a dress code and a rule against cell phones inside, this bar makes you work a little harder than the average bar to get to your cocktails but it's absolutely worth it. Astonishing indoor aesthetic aside, (kind of 19th century mansion) the cocktails really shine here and the expansive menu will not leave you wanting for options. However, if gin's your poison, it's hard to beat Hop Sing's Wisconsin Iced Tea. I doubt you've had anything like it before; ginger liqueur, gin, Pimms No.1, velvet falernum, red oolong tea, mint, and fresh lemon juice come together in a highball glass to make a charmingly refreshing cocktail that leaves only the subtlest hint of alcohol. The flavors are layered and complex, but aren't challenging in the least- it really is the epitome of a relaxing cocktail.
5) Mojito- Cuba Libre
The mojito was a staple for Ernest Hemingway. A mojito, like the margarita, also plays with sweet and our sensations, but instead of tequila, the mojito is a classic rum drink with mint and lime juice. Cuba Libre's mojito is top-notch for two reasons: 1) the quality of ingredients: fresh sugar cane, lime juice, and mint, (no sour mix) and 2) the variety that is offered. Cuba Libre has taken the classic mojito and added a twist by expanding the flavor palette to include any of the tropical fruits (examples include mango, watermelon, passion fruit, pomegranate, pineapple, coconut, and more). My personal favorite was the pomegranate, but they're all good and the variety is what's important. The best flavor here really will come down to personal taste, so experiment, and have fun!
