Cocktail of the Week: The French 75

The French 75

In celebration of the French culture and spirit, the cocktail of the week this week is the French 75, a classic cocktail that is a powerful (and delicious) mixture of gin, lemon, sugar, and champagne.

Created at Harry's New York Bar in Paris, this cocktail was named after the French 75mm Howitzer Artillery Cannon, a powerful artillery piece that became famous during World War I.  Whether is packs a punch like a cannon, or hits the spot like a modern piece of military accouterment, the French 75 is a powerful cocktail which earns its name.

Only $5 during Old Fashioned Cocktail Hour, 5-9 Tuesday through Friday.  

Cocktail of the Week: The Income Tax Cocktail

The Income Tax Cocktail

Yes, it is that time again.  Tax Day.

In case you didn't know (and expect a cocktail lounge's blog to tell you) your taxes are due on April 18th this year.  So, this week, make sure to gather your W-2s, un-crumple your receipts, and prepare to fill in the little boxes answering confusing, "shouldn't there be a comma there", questions.

But first, stop by Bryant's for this weeks Cocktail of the Week: The Income Tax Cocktail.  The Income Tax Cocktail is a pre-prohibition cocktail that is remarkably similar to the classic Bronx- a cocktail that has been a long-time favorite at Bryant's.  The Bronx is a classic mix of gin, sweet vermouth, dry vermouth, and fresh orange juice.  The difference between a Bronx and The Income Tax Cocktail?  A shake of bitters.

Now, we can only assume that the cocktail mixers of yore had a sense of humor.  This is most likely one of those times when a witty barman created a cocktail to make a point.  Even though the bitters do add a touch of complexity, they also make the cocktail a little more bitter- just like doing your taxes.

Want to try it yourself?  Stop down this week when The Income Tax Cocktail is only $5 during Old Fashioned Cocktail Hour, Tuesday through Friday from 5 to 9.  Also, it will be $5 all night on Sunday, April 17th.  The day before your taxes are due.

After sipping on this delicious cocktail, you can rest assured that your bitterness has been shared by generations of Americans who begrudgingly fill out their taxes every year and find that they need a tasty cocktail to help them forget.  Now, where is that recipe for the 4868 Extension to File Cocktail?

Cocktail of the Week: The Glamour Shot

The cocktail of the week for March 29th through April 3rd is the Glamour Shot. As we move away from the wintery weather of March in to the spring of April (hopefully), we start to move away from brown and bitter in to light clear spirited cocktails.

The Glamour Shot is the perfect cocktail to bridge the two seasons. Created by our excellent bartender Emily Evans, the Glamour Shot is a well balanced mix of Plymouth Gin, Domaine de Canton Ginger Liquor, Cynar, and lime. This is definitely a spiritous gin cocktail, but it has some of the bitter elements one expects in a well-crafted Manhattan.

Stop in this week during Old Fashioned Cocktail Hour and try a Glamour Shot for only $5. In addition, we will be offering this drink for $5 all night this Sunday, April 27th. A true bargain for such an exceptional cocktail!

Cocktail of the Week: The Golden Glow

The Golden Glow of Cocktail Hour

For the past two years, we have been offering the same specials for our "old fashioned cocktail hour". Half price old fashioned cocktails, as well as our depression era cocktails. Stopping down between 5 and 9, Tuesday through Friday, is a great way to enjoy some classic Bryant's cocktails for a song. At just $3.50 to $4 each, these cocktails are a true recession-era special.

Many of our best customers first stopped by during cocktail hour to feel the place out. Once they double check their directions, open the door, and let their eyes adjust, they are usually hooked and will stop by again and again and again. Sometimes they become loyal to one specific cocktail, but often they are looking to try a variety of drinks.

We have decided to expand our offerings during cocktail hour to include a "cocktail of the week". This cocktail may be a classic cocktail, or an obscure Bryant's favorite, or it may be a new creation that features a specific new spirit, bartender, or ingredient. The featured cocktail may be available at all times, or it may be a special cocktail that is only offered under the spotlight of cocktail hour. The best way to find out more about the cocktail of the week is to ask your friendly bartender or to keep up with us on Facebook, where we will announce the cocktail of the week:

http://www.facebook.com/bryantscocktaillounge

The first cocktail of the week will be the Golden Glow, which will be available at Bryant's Cocktail Lounge for only $5 through February 4th.

We discovered the Golden Glow in a Galliano cocktail book from the 1970's. We have always been searching for Galliano cocktails, besides the Golden Cadillac and the Harvey Wallbanger, that properly utilize this anise based liqueur. The Golden Glow blends gin, Galliano, and Drambuie (another spirit that is difficult to mix). Simple and sweet, this cocktail is interesting enough to be our first Cocktail of the Week.

Stop by Milwaukee's Classic Cocktail Lounge between 5 and 9 to re-experience our Old Fashioned Cocktail Hour.