19 Winning Cocktails

For this issue, Style set out on a search for the best cocktail variations in the Valley. We wondered: Who makes the tastiest margarita? The fruitiest Bellini? The strongest Manhattan? Our first-ever cocktail contest circulated the web for weeks, and hundreds of votes later, we got our answers.

Espresso Martini

Grille 3501

At Grille 3501, the Espresso Martini is always one of the top five cocktails sold, regardless of season. The drink is made with equal parts vanilla vodka, fresh espresso, Kahlua and Bailey’s Irish Cream, and is garnished with three espresso beans. Though it’s a common cocktail, Grille 3501’s uses freshly brewed espresso, which is chilled so that it won’t dilute the other ingredients.  

3501 Broadway, Allentown | 610.706.0100 | grille3501.com

Mojito

Blue Grillhouse

Perhaps the first drink that comes to mind for any fan of Blue’s patio is their Patio Mojito—a fizzy staple made with strawberry rum poured over muddled fresh lime, basil and strawberries. Though the spacious Blue patio is its namesake, this cocktail is available year-round and is one of three permanent mojitos on the drink menu. New to the menu are London and Raspberry varieties—just look for the “Mojitos” section of their drink menu.  

4431 Easton Ave., Bethlehem | 610.691.8400 | bluegrillhouse.com

Old Fashioned

The Hamilton Kitchen & Bar

The Hamilton’s "Older Fashioned" uses a rotation of its own bourbons, all of which are premium brands, along with house-made gomme syrup.

645 W. Hamilton St., Allentown | 610.433.3535 | thehamiltonkitchen.com

Manhattan

Top Cut Steak House

A signature of Top Cut General Manager Grant Parker, and a favorite of esteemed restaurateur George Paxos, the "Manhattanish" is a deconstructed bourbon Manhattan in which the traditional vermouth component is replaced with three liqueurs—bitter orange, dark cherry and chocolate flavors of Averna, Cherry Heering and Aperol—that go perfectly with bourbon. Enjoyable year round and extremely approachable, the Manhattanish always delivers!

The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley | 610.841.7100 | topcutsteak.com

Greyhound

Bolete

Bolete’s “Not your Grandmother's Greyhound” is a simple yet beautiful cocktail, chock-full of toffee undertones, zippy citrus and a "wolf in sheep’s clothing" alcohol attack. It pleases the most demanding cocktail aficionados, but is also the perfect “gateway” drink for a beginner.

Make your own!

2 1/2 oz. Tito’s vodka

3/4 oz. brown sugar syrup

1 1/2 oz. roasted grapefruit juice (halved, roasted in oven till golden brown, then juiced)

All ingredients should be shaken with vigor and then double strained into a chilled coupe glass. The drink can also be served in a vintage punch bowl with a huge chuck of ice in the middle.

1740 Seidersville Rd., Bethlehem | 610.868.6505 | boleterestaurant.com

Sidecar

The Bookstore Speakeasy

336 Adams St., Bethlehem | 610.867.1100 | bookstorespeakeasy.com

Bloody Mary

3rd & Ferry Fish Market

3rd & Ferry’s Red Rover Bloody Mary is made with vodka, tomato juice and their special house-made Bloody Mary mash, a recipe created by owner Mike Pichetto. Feeling hungry? Try their Crabby Mary, which they refer to as “brunch in a glass.” It’s the Red Rover Bloody Mary stacked with a crab cake slider, fresh jumbo lump crabmeat, chilled jumbo shrimp cocktail, a lemon, a lime and an olive. Stop by the restaurant on the weekend for their Sunday Social from noon to 6 p.m. and enjoy a $5 Bloody Mary menu featuring five different variations of the cocktail.

56 S. 3rd St., Easton | 610.829.1404 | thirdandferry.com

Moscow Mule

Social Still

Social Still’s most popular drink, the Mule has topped the distillery’s best-selling cocktails every night since they opened. What sets it apart from the rest, according to owner Adam Flatt, is that they use Social Still vodka, which has been nationally and internationally recognized as one of the best. It’s crafted in house from 100 percent GMO-free corn and is distilled eight times. They fresh squeeze the lime juice every night to allow the bright citrus notes to stand out, and top it with a small batch of craft ginger beer. The cocktail is served in a copper mug and enjoyed by everyone.  

530 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem | 610.625.4585 | socialstill.com

Paloma

Torre

When first designing the menu, the Paloma was a given addition that has remained a staple since Torre opened in 2014. A simple cocktail, the Paloma is one of Mexico’s most beloved drinks. Torre’s is crafted with blanco white tequila, grapefruit Jarritos Mexican soda and grapefruit bitters, with a sugar rim.

The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley | 610.841.9399 | torrerestaurant.com

Margarita

Mesa Modern Mexican

At Mesa, the margaritas change seasonally. While summer brings grapefruit, pineapple and strawberry, fall and winter welcome pumpkin spice, cinnamon and fig. Their bartenders are always experimenting with flavors and are invested in using ingredients that are fresh rather than artificial. Sit and sip a margarita (or two), order some of the delicious guacamole and enjoy the ambiance of this warm and inviting spot.

42 S. 3rd St., Easton | 610.829.2101 | mesamexican.com

Gimlet

The Bookstore Speakeasy

336 Adams St., Bethlehem | 610.867.1100 | bookstorespeakeasy.com

Mint Julep

The Mint Gastropub

At The Mint, their julep has an extra level of smoothness, created by the organic cane sugar syrup that they use. Both the dustinag of powdered sugar and the ample fresh, local mint used make the drink a cut above the rest.

1223 W. Broad St., Bethlehem | 610.419.3810 | bethlehemmint.com

Dark & Stormy

The Hamilton Kitchen & Bar

For this cocktail, The Hamilton spices its own rum and uses a specific brand of ginger beer.

645 W. Hamilton St., Allentown | 610.433.3535 | thehamiltonkitchen.com

Mimosa

Historic Hotel Bethlehem

437 Main St., Bethlehem | 610.625.5000 | hotelbethlehem.com

Cosmopolitan

Apollo Grill

85 W. Broad St., Bethlehem | 610.865.9600 | apollogrill.com

Caipirinha

Rios Brazilian Steakhouse

127 S. Broad St., Nazareth | 610.614.1018 | riosbr.com

Martini

Melt

With multiple martinis to choose from, it’s hard to pick just one. All of Melt’s martinis shine, thanks to fresh ingredients and a knack for showcasing the flavors that are most loved by guests. Longtime favorites include the Nights in Venice raspberry martini and the Mango and Basil Martini (pictured at left), but die-hard martini drinkers can’t go wrong with the new “Elit” Martini—a classic made with Stoli Elit vodka and a Dolin Blanc Vermouth de Chambery rinse, topped with blue cheese-stuffed olives.

The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley | 610.798.9000 | meltgrill.com

Negroni

Molinari’s

Molinari’s house Negroni starts with the guest's choice of gin—the preferred being Uncle Val's Botanical Gin—Martini & Rossi Sweet Vermouth and Campari. The drink is perfectly finished off with the expression of orange oils over the drink, which is then swiped along the rim of the glass. They say the Negroni dates back to Florence, Italy in 1919, and, since then, it has become a favorite among members of the service industry—probably due to its balance between botanical and bitter.

Make your own!

1.25 oz. Uncle Val's Gin

1.25 oz. Martini & Rossi Vermouth

.75 oz. Campari

Stir 30–40 times and strain over one large cube. Take a wide peel of an orange rind, express oils on the drink and swipe the peel around the rim of the glass.

322 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem | 610.625.9222 | molinarimangia.com

Bellini

Blue Grillhouse  

Blue’s drink menu devotes a whole section to champagne cocktails and includes two Bellinis—a Strawberry and a Peach variety. Though very popular during Sunday Brunch, their champagne cocktails are also frequently enjoyed by guests during lunch or dinner, particularly if a celebration is in order. For those who simply love the classic glass of champagne, Blue (and all sister Paxos Restaurants) always serves a complimentary glass and dessert to guests who are celebrating a birthday or anniversary.  

4431 Easton Ave., Bethlehem | 610.691.8400 | bluegrillhouse.com