Philadelphia, PA - The Philadelphia Flower Show has both violets and roses. And Philly's best restaurants and bars also have cocktails! We're celebrating the return of the Philadelphia Flower Show, which will be held March 4-12, 2013. Here are some cocktails that you can enjoy after the event.
Best Philadelphia Cocktail Spots
Art in the Age is Old City's most popular home bar supply, bottleshop, and tasting room. This perfectly pink Lavender Negroni ($14) has been crafted with Damson Plum Gin, Dolin dry Vermouth, Campari, and lavender bitters. The glass is garnished with fresh lavender clothes pinned to the glass.
COOP Restaurant & Pub is a modern, bright, and airy restaurant in The Study Hotel. It's right between Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania. The Painted Sunflower ($13) is a cocktail made with Klyr Rum and Aperol. It also contains grapefruit juice, coconut water, and sunflower seed orgeat. Is a sweet syrup typically made with almonds, which can be included in tiki drinks? CO-OP makes its orgeat using whole roasted sunflower seeds and full-fat coconut dairy. Garnish the cocktail with grated cinnamon or calendula for an extra floral touch.
The Dutch is a popular brunch, lunch, and dinner restaurant that focuses on reinventing Pennsylvania Dutch classics. They offer a wide range of floral beverages for brunch and dinner. Brunch-goers can enjoy the Elderflower Spitz, made of elderflower liquor, citrus, sparkling wine, and gin, for the perfect combination of citrus and floral. Later in the evening, they can indulge in the Jasminemade from Campari, Citrus, Cointreau, and Gin.
Forsythia and Chef Christopher Kearse, an acclaimed French restaurant and bar in Old City, have captured the spirit of spring with their first floral-forward cocktail. The Isaly Roses on Your Grave mixes Genepy, Laphroaig, and Genepy, traditional European herbal, rose, grapefruit, and lemon. Miller will launch a robust seasonal cocktail program featuring several farm-to-glass tipples with fresh flavors like carrot, grapefruit, and sake.
Oloroso is Philadelphia's most popular Spanish-inspired tapas place in the heart of Center City. Oloroso will add a floral twist to the classic Gin & Tonic to honor the Philadelphia Flower Show. The next-level G&T will include a floral Nordes Spanish Gin from Galacia paired with a refreshing Tonic and topped off with fresh rosemary to capture a woodsy aroma. This crisp, piney cocktail is great for sipping or with Chef Jason Peabody’s rotating menu of authentic Spanish tapas.
Red Owl Tavern is a modern American tavern on Independence Mall. This new seasonal sipper is a floral affair. It is made with blueberry syrup, Novo Fogo Cachaca, and St Germain and topped off with an edible flower.
Rex at The Royal is South Steet’s center for high-quality Lowcountry cuisine. It's located in The Royal. The hot pink drink, made from gin infused with fresh peaches, strawberries, and shrubs made with jasmine and hibiscus -- But My Beatrice Is Shy, can be purchased at the bar between Saturday, March 4, and Sunday, March 12.
Stratus Rooftop Lounge is a chic rooftop venue on the 11th Floor of the Kimpton Hotel Monaco, Old City. It will showcase one vibrant flower-forward cocktail from its ever-evolving craft cocktail list, carefully curated by Patrick Banko, Lead Bartender. The Spring in Joven is a quirky celebration of spring and the perfect tribute to the Philadelphia Flower Show.
Urban Farmer is Logan Square’s rustic chic, modern American steakhouse. It will be celebrating the flower show by creating a floral arrangement. Daniel Watson conceived and created the Caffe 1919 ($18) as Bar Manager. It is a marriage of an Espresso martini and a Negroni with bright floral notes that resound throughout. Watson uses Monkey 47 Gin, which is infused with hibiscus currant tea. He then creates the cocktail using Campari, sweet Vermouth, and espresso. Finally, he adds lavender bitters to enhance acidity and floral notes. Caffe 1919, a perfect blend of both flavors, is served with hibiscus flowers and espresso beans.