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Matthew Tota
My perfect cocktail experience doesn’t conjure up the scene of a cabana bar, where I might enjoy a fruity drink adorned with a tiny umbrella and a vibrant flower while gazing at the waves rolling in on the beach.
I prefer the air to be so painfully cold that the droplets from my nose freeze immediately into my mustache, compelling me to seek refuge in the warmth of a snug tavern during the icy night.
Winter showcases vibrant, life-enhancing flavors and aromas that bartenders eagerly embrace, utilizing them to their benefit. They blend warming spices, tangy fruits, and enticing syrups, creating delightful concoctions. This season allows for the combination of the lightest, sweetest creams with the strongest spirits, as they put their own twist on traditional cocktails inspired by the winter months.
Throughout the city, eateries and lounges have updated their cocktail selections for the winter season. I've compiled a list of my top picks: be sure to try them this month, as the industry could use some additional patronage during these slow times.
Steel & Wire Cocktail Lounge, 124 Millbury St. (steelandwirebar.com)
Steel & Wire’s robust winter cocktail menu boasts eight drinks, highlighted by a fire pit favorite. A cocktail created by bartender Matt Villavicencio, “You’re Killing Me, Smalls,” calls for graham cracker-infused bourbon, crème de cacao (a chocolate liqueur), toasted marshmallow syrup and bitters.
All Systems Go, 225 Shrewsbury St. (allsystemsgoma.com)
The vibrant e-sports bar is known for its visually stunning cocktails, treating bartending with the same level of dedication as gaming. In the last two winters, All Systems Go has crafted some of the most delicious seasonal drinks. This year's highlight is the vodka concoction named “Powder,” featuring vanilla vodka, RumChata (a liqueur made from cinnamon and vanilla cream), clove syrup, and butterfly pea syrup, which imparts a delightful baby blue color to the cocktail.
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Armsby Abbey, 144 Main St. (armsbyabbey.com)
At Armsby, the bartenders take a refreshing approach to their winter cocktail menu, steering clear of typical holiday clichés while paying homage to timeless classics and embracing innovation. One standout creation this year is the "Red Ruby," which features the elusive French herbal liqueur, Chartreuse. Crafted by monks in France, Chartreuse is available in two varieties: yellow and green. Armsby opts for Yellow Chartreuse, known for its sweeter profile and notes of honey, saffron, and anise. This delightful cocktail is a blend of gin, cranberry, and lime, topped off with a splash of sparkling wine. According to Armsby, “this dreamy, enchanting cocktail will sweep you off your feet,” and I couldn’t agree more.
Mezcal Tequila Kitchen, 11 East Central St. (mezcaltequilakitchen.com)
Mezcal boasts some of the best margaritas in town, and during the winter months, its skilled bartenders showcase their expertise with the agave spirit in unique cocktails. One standout creation is the “Winter Serenade,” which combines the classic margarita ingredients of tequila blanco and Cointreau with delightful seasonal additions of blood orange and rosemary-infused simple syrup.
Volturno, 72 Shrewsbury St. (.volturnopizza.com)
Pear has long been my go-to fruit for crafting cocktails during the colder months, despite its reputation as a flavor more suited for autumn. Volturno has introduced a versatile cocktail called “when a tree falls,” featuring a comforting bourbon base and a spiced pear puree. To enhance this delightful drink, the bar incorporates allspice dram and a splash of lemon, creating a cocktail that provides a cozy escape from the harsh chill of winter.
