thePULSE
Worcester is full of places to grab a drink and hang out with friends and it’s only getting better with the rise of craft cocktails. Venues around the city are pulling out all the stops, experimenting with new flavors and unique combinations. Check out our picks for the best craft cocktails in the city as we enjoy them – shaken, not stirred!
Simjang was founded on culinary innovation and agricultural sustainability. Located at 72 Shrewsbury St., this “American-Korean fusion” eatery features fried chicken and ramen. Among their offerings are many craft cocktails such as their hauntingly delicious “Beyond the Ghost Dance” which showcases Buffalo Trace bourbon from the oldest continually operating distillery in the United States. The cocktail’s name honors a Native American dance to bring peace, prosperity and unity. The ghost dance reunites the living with spirits of the dead.
Beyond the Ghost Dance
2 oz bourbon (we like to use Elijah Craig)
.75 oz lemon juice (fresh squeezed)
1 oz pineapple juice
1 oz velvet falernum
.5 oz simple syrup
2 dashes angostura bitters
Directions:
Shake and strain over crushed ice.
The Muse Bar & Kitchen located at 536 Main St. is not only known for artisanal cocktails and food, but also for hosting their own bartending workshops where attendees can learn the tips and tricks of the trade. The “Red Wedding” is one of the specialty drinks that can be enjoyed at the Muse Bar & Kitchen. Named after the infamous Game of Thrones episode, the “Red Wedding” features a myriad of flavors.
The Red Wedding
1 oz Buffalo Trace Bourbon
1 oz Meletti 1870
1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
1 oz Creme de Cassis
Lock 50 is a popular Worcester eatery that can be found at 50 Water St. While fine dining and craft cocktails are mainstays at this restaurant, Lock 50 is also home to the Maple Sour Cocktail. According to General Manager, Tommy Studer, “The cocktail is a play on a New York Sour.” Studer added, “I’ve always found this time of year between winter and spring is the best time for sours, so every year I play with different recipes and ideas to make something exciting. This year I thought maple would be great and maple is hitting a big trend now which is great for the bar. The Old Potrero also has a ton of apple and spice notes that work beautifully with the maple, add a little chili for some heat and the Malbec gives off beautiful aromatics that sit on the foam as it slowly seeps into the cocktail.”
Maple Sour Cocktail
1 oz Old Potrero Rye Whiskey
.75 oz Chili Infused Maple Syrup Syrup *
.5 oz Lemon Juice
.25 oz Lime Juice
.5 oz Mas de Etoiles “Petit Etoiles” Malbec
1 Egg White
Directions:
In a mixing tin, combine whiskey, syrup, lemon, lime, and egg white. Dry shake to activate egg white. Add ice and shake again until chilled. Double strain into rocks glass. Top with Malbec and garnish with an orange peel.
*To make syrup: combine equal parts maple syrup and hot water in a beaker, add 1 dried chili. Stir for 1 minute and let steep for 5 minutes. Strain and let cool. Be sure to use pure maple syrup.
Sturbridge Porterhouse is a refined steakhouse that is located at 407 Main St. in the historic town of Sturbridge. Among fine cuts of meat, Sturbridge Porterhouse also features creative craft cocktails such as “Thyme After Thyme”. Bar Manager Alex Hardy explained how the cocktail came to be: “I am not particularly a fan of making vodka cocktails. Typically, I find that it is a rather basic liquor, and [it] takes alot to create a vodka-based cocktail with depth and balance. Time after time, I have been asked by my guests to come up with a fun vodka cocktail. This led me to develop one for the new menu that is fun, flavorful, and would appeal to the greater audience. The combination of grapefruit, bitter-sweet aperol, thyme, and fresh citrus was the answer that my guests were looking for. Naturally, ‘Thyme After Thyme’ became the name for the drink and remains a top seller at the Sturbridge Porterhouse.”
Thyme After Thyme
1.5 oz V1 Grapefruit Infused Vodka
.05 oz Aperol
.75 oz Thyme Cordial
.75 oz Fresh Lemon
Club Soda
Directions:
Shake and strain then finish off with Seltzer water and ice.
Armsby Abbey is a standout of the Worcester food scene at 144 Main St. This gastropub is known for their intricate craft cocktails and varieties of craft beer. An example of Armsby Abbey’s craft cocktail prowess is demonstrated by the “Spring Freshet”. Bar Manager, Silas Axtell described the newest Spring cocktail that is being served: “The change of seasons is an exciting time in New England. For Armsby Abbey, winter’s thaw is more than just a change of weather; it signals a change of ingredients, flavors, and menus. This cocktail is a tribute to the winter to spring transition. ‘Freshet’ is the name for the Spring thaw resulting in excess run-off into our streams and rivers. Our seasonal cocktail, Spring Freshet, is meant to reflect the weather, and an attitude that welcomes the next season with lighthearted, crisp flavors. The concept for this cocktail is simple: a gin gimlet transformed into a bright, tart, escape from winter. Bully Boy Estate Gin, is paired with elderflower liqueur, lime juice, lemongrass, and ginger to achieve a drink worthy of a crisp Spring day!”
Spring Freshet
1.5 oz Bully Boy Estate Gin
.5 oz St. Elder
.75 oz Housemade Lemongrass-Ginger Syrup
.75 oz Fresh Lime Juice
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add ice, then shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass (Optional: Garnish with a lime wheel).
