Welcome back to another installment of boozings, where we try all of Philly’s Top 15 Drinks! Next up we go to Noble American Cookery, for the Vesper. It is a drink invented and named by James Bond. Here at Noble, it’s made with Penn 1681 vodka (philly’s own!), Bluecoat gin, Lillet blonde (a french bitter aperitif), orange bitters, and essential oils of a lemon peel, served in a martini glass. The original vesper was made with Kina Lillet, which no longer exists. So you can’t get a real vesper anywhere.

Original or not, I’m a big fan of this drink. As you can see, there’s really nothing in this drink except for booze. I watched the bartender make it, and whoa, did he put a lot of booze in this. But somehow, it’s still very delicious and very drinkable. It tastes good. I don’t know how, but it just does. And I typically prefer my drinks to have some kind of juice or soda in them. This one doesn’t have any such thing. Because it’s nothing but booze, it’s quite strong. I’m sure two of these, and I’d be out for the count.

We also tried the moscow mule, which is not on the menu, or else I didn’t see it. We ordered it because we saw the bartender making one, and it looked intriguing. It’s boozy, mostly vodka, with some ginger beer, served over ice with a wedge of lime in a beer glass. It was incredibly refreshing, and quite light. I highly recommend it! And I highly recommend Noble for drinks. Sitting at the bar was great. The bartenders were friendly, and they mix a mean drink. Plus, the bar itself, is incredibly beautiful. It’s just one giant piece of wood and I love its organic beauty.

Ok, 12 down, only 3 more to go! Feels like the home stretch!

Welcome back to another installment of boozings, where we try all of Philly’s Top 15 Drinks! Next up we go to Chifa, for the Chicha Morada. It is a Peruvian drink (Chifa is Peruvian/Chinese), but it’s Chifa’s own modern interpretation of it. Instead of the traditional chicha morada which is made by a human chewing on purple maize, this much friendlier version is made with spiced rum, purple corn, and pineapple, and served in a wine glass over ice and garnished with lime.

Wow, this is a good drink.  And can I also say wow, this is a beautiful restaurant? Because of the spiced rum, it definitely has that spicy and warm fall/winter taste to it, but sweeter. It’s kind of like sangria but not, because it’s definitely not made with wine. But it is reminiscent because of the hunks of fruit. It was just plain delicious, warm and sweet and slightly spiced. I drank it down way too fast. And it’s not super strong. It is strong, but not overly so. It goes down super easy.

We also tried the mula cuzco, which is vodka, ginger liqueur, Cusqueña Lager, and lime, served in one of these long skinny glasses. We got this because the bartender said it was incredibly refreshing. And on this sunday after a few feet of snow, we wanted some refreshment. This was also quite amazing. It’s very light and refreshing, indeed, and the hint of beer is quite nice.

Ok, 11 down, only 4 more to go!

Welcome back to another installment of boozings, where we try all of Philly’s Top 15 Drinks! Next up we go to Cantina Los Caballitos, for the Bloody Mary. Vodka, check. Tomato juice, check. Worcestershire sauce, tabasco, and whatever else, check. Lime and lemon, celery and olive, check!
F it this drink is good. And big. And spicy. And cheap. Served in a big ass pint glass, this thing has kick, of the boozy and spicy variety. It just goes on forever, too. How can this only cost $5? It’s definitely the cheapest drink on the list, and nearly the biggest. I’m not feeling too much love for the food here, but their bloody marys are alone worth the trip.
Ok, 10 down, only 5 more to go!