Welcome back to another installment of boozings, where we try all of Philly’s Top 15 Drinks! Next up we go to Village Whiskey. While Jose Garces is a celebrity chef, this place is definitely a place for the alcohol to shine. While I hear the food is also good (especially the burger), their menu clearly show that booze is where the heart is. The De Rigueur is made with rye, Aperol (an Italian aperitif made of bitter orange, rhubarb, and cinchona), grapefruit juice, lemon, honey, and mint, and is served in a champagne coupe type of glass.

Man, I don’t know how to describe this drink. But it is rather amazing. I want more. Like now. It’s a strong drink, but not overly so. It goes down super smooth. Although it’s orange and served in somewhat of a girley looking glass, it’s not a girley drink. Actually, it tastes pretty darn manly. But anyone would like this. It’s just sweet enough but not overly fruity or sugary, and you get a subtle hint of mint, without any of the horrible mint chunks. It is definitely my favorite of the top 15 drinks I’ve had so far. At $11, it’s also the most expensive one so far, but not the most expensive from the list. It’s definitely $11 well spent. I’d pay more.

Ok, 3 down, only 12 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 Oyster House, for their famous / infamous oyster house punch. Unfortunately for us, this list came out right after the famed summer version of the oyster house punch was taken off the menu. So we were forced to go for the Mom’s  Ruin recipe. This version of the oyster house punch is made with gin, cinnamon/chai tea-infused sweet vermouth, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, and topped with champagne, and served in canning jar mugs.

I can describe this drink in four simple words. “It tastes like Fall”. I couldn’t be more succinct. The drink is spicy and cinnamony, yet slightly fruity, with of course, a boozy kick. I quite enjoyed this. If you like the spices that are typically associated with the fall and colder weather, then you will too. It’s sort of like mulled wine, but cold, and made with citrusy punch. And it’s deceptively strong. I wish I could try the summer version though, as that one sounds better to me. As soon as it’s back on the menu, I’ll try it and let you know!

Ok, 2 down, only 13 more to go!

Welcome to the inaugural post in my brand new series called boozings. What is boozings? It’s simple. The folks at Philadelphia Weekly recently posted their list of Philly’s Top 15 Drinks. So I’ve decided to try them all. No, not all on one night! I have no interest in alcohol poisoning. But I will try them all, and write about it right here, once a week, as part of this new 15-post series – boozings. And as their list is in no particular order of preference, my posts won’t be either. Well, my posts will simply be in the order in which I try them.

First up was Parc, the swanky little french style bistro in Rittenhouse Square. And serendipitously enough, the chosen drink at Parc was the sidecar, one of my favorite cocktails, ever. Their version of the sidecar is the Calvados Sidecar. It is made with Calvados brandy (apple brandy, and hence the name), Cointreau (orange liqueur), lemon juice, and an apple slice, served in a half sugar rimmed martini glass.

Oh boy oh boy. This drink is boozy. As in all I taste is booze. Whoo! I taste no juice at all, just lots and lots of alcohol. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but I can see how if I had two of these, it would knock me on my boozed out ass. It’s a bit too strong for me, as far as flavor goes. Without a hint of anything other than straight up liquor, I found it a bit hard to truly enjoy. I mean I liked it, and I felt great while I drank it, but it was a bit rough for me. And the apple, if you choose to eat it, is just as boozy. While it was an enjoyable drink, I think I still prefer my sidecars from the Sidecar. Parc is a bit of an older crowd, perhaps a bit on the more sophisticated side. A button-down shirt and slacks kind of place, which isn’t particularly my scene, not that I have one, but I’m more of a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl.

Ok, 1 down, only 14 more to go!