Best Bourbon Cocktails In Minnesota
The native spirit of the USA is bourbon! In August 2007, the U.S. Senate declared September 2007 as the first National Bourbon Heritage Month. Under the sponsorship of Kentucky Republican Senator Jim Bunning, the bill passed unanimously. It was a shining moment of bipartisan agreement, now officially celebrated every September.
Saint Dinette
261 E. 5th St.
Saint Paul, MN 55101
(651) 800-1415
www.saintdinette.com
A cozy diner and bar, Saint Dinette serves up great comfort food and creative mixologies, such as this bourbon soother.
Saint Dinette's Summer Bourbon
Contact: Laurel Elm, bartender and general manager
A tangy cocktail, this bourbon concoction is an excellent before or after-dinner drink. It's also a refreshing cool after an arduous work day. Apricot liqueur provides the zest. The touch of gomme syrup adds a silky texture.
Cafe Maude
5411 Penn Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55419
(612) 822-5411
www.cafemaude.com
This café and bistro draws its name from a forward-thinking historic figure. Nineteenth-century civic leader Maude Armatage helped guide Minneapolis into the 20th century. Today, the café named after her offers cultural package tours to Istanbul and two exquisite American bourbon cocktails. Before packing off to Istanbul, enjoy the bourbon and take in the cafe's casbah-style Middle Eastern décor.
The Snake & The Stallion
Stanch but easy to imbibe, this Old Grand-Dad 100 is infused with pungent green absinthe and an Italian herbal liqueur. One sip inspires. The next gives a kick.
Death & The Maiden
Really, it's not as bad as it sounds. Brown butter, maple flavors and Anorak bitters blended with Old Grand-Dad 100 give sensual texture and taste to good bourbon. The maple alone makes this bourbon mix worth drinking.
Contacts: Adam Harness and Chad Larson, bartenders and bar program managers
Butcher & The Boar
1121 Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 238-8888
www.butcherandtheboar.com
Classic Manhattan and Old Fashioned
Contact: Jerald Hansen, head bartender and founding partner
Highly rated for steaks and charcuteries, this well known restaurant and bar features two classic cocktails made with single barrel bourbon. Choose between a classic Manhattan or an Old Fashioned. Angostura bitters and a dash of vermouth lend the Manhattan a touch of class and lots of taste. Simple syrup, brown sugar and dashes of Angostura bitters liven up a classy Old Fashioned. But it's the quality of the bourbon that makes these drinks a favorite. Hansen personally samples the bourbon and then selects barrels directly from from the distillery.
Related: Best Cocktail Bars In Minnesota
Bradstreet Neighborhood Craftshouse
1930 Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 871-1200
www.bradstreetcraftshouse.com
Just a few blocks away from the Butcher & The Boar, Bradstreet serves up a luscious bourbon cocktail. It's made to transport you to the tropical island paradise of your dreams after a few sips.
Temple Of The Isles
Contact: Jennifer Boutell, Head Bartender
Made with dry vermouth, hibiscus and ginger syrups, plum Oolong infused bourbon, fresh pineapple and a squeeze of lime, this drink is refreshing. Absent is the cloying sweetness. Thanks to the plum Oolong infusion, this tropical cocktail is full of punch.
Icehouse MPLS
2528 Nicollet Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 276-6523
www.icehousempls.com
At Icehouse, the small plate and snack menu is snappy. But if you just want to go for drinks — perhaps enjoy some bourbon — Icehouse is the place. Three bourbon libations are on the drinks list. But the best of these is:
Full Grown Man
Contact: Johnny Michaels, Head Bartender
It's an exciting drink of bourbon infused with rum, house ginger beer and bitters. One sip makes you feel tall. Before you know it, you order another. The recipe is simple, but the well-blended ingredients make great chemistry.
Related: Best Secret Bars In Minnesota
Linda Cameron has written home design, home improvement and lifestyle articles for The Boston Globe and City Shopper Magazine. She has related interests in the building industry, travel, real estate and financing. She is a contributor to Examiner, House Spot, Techsling and Behance, covering topics on career, people, businesses, education and technology.
