February Cocktail of the Month: Strawberry Letter 23

As you are probably aware, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner—and if you’re not, better start working on those gifts and dinner reservations!—and to celebrate one of our favorite holidays here at Bryant’s, we would like to give you a special Valentine’s treat. In addition to featuring our celebrated Valentine’s Day Punch, this February we want you to be our Valentine and offer as our Cocktail of the Month our own “love note,” in a sense: a present to you, the Strawberry Letter 23.

But what makes this drink extra special? The fact that the Strawberry Letter 23 is Bryant’s newest cocktail creation. Co-created by bartender Jeff Kinder and cocktail waitress Jessica Shell, this is a delectable strawberry and chocolate ice cream drink (perfect for sharing!) that’s also a feast for the eyes: you’ll have it served to you in a beautiful chocolate-swirled squall glass. Just remember from time to time to take your eyes off the drink and focus on your companion a little bit.

Jeff and Jess named the drink for the classic song “Strawberry Letter 23,” which was written and first recorded by Shuggie Otis in 1971 but made a huge hit by the Brothers Johnson and Quincy Jones in 1977. The song, about a series of strawberry-scented love letters, offered perfect inspiration for Jeff and Jess, who intended this drink to be a love letter to Bryant’s too. The name harkens back to a time when Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge, after a devastating fire, was in the process of recovering its former glory as Milwaukee’s preeminent drink destination, and when, of course, “Strawberry Letter 23” was all over the radio. The song proved to be a major hit. You’ve all made Bryant’s a hit for the past 45 years (and we love you for it!). So, we hope you’ll help our Strawberry Letter 23 become a big hit as well. 

♫ While the music plays, come sit in for a few…ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh. ♫ *

Stop in between 5pm and 8pm Sunday through Thursday and say “Hello, my love” to the Strawberry Letter 23 for just $7 all month long. 

*Our apologies to Shuggie Otis.