If when you think “Happy Hour with friends” or “romantic night out”, you picture icy cocktails at a picturesque rooftop bar, basking in a sultry Alabama summer…you are probably sliding ever further into a little bit of seasonal depression right about now. Not to worry, Huntsville would not do you like that! Whether cozy inside or enveloped in the glow of twinkle lights and propane patio heaters on the outside, the Rocket City is at the ready with any number of winter cocktails made just for you.
Pourhouse at Stovehouse
As the weather chilled and the trees began to shed their leaves, the first reported sightings of Pourhouse’s “Fall 5” cocktail menu started to roll in. These herbaceously spiced potions provide a kick, punch and pow befitting their collective superhero sounding name.
Breaking news: Recently added to this already incredible line-up, hot drinks! Chase away those winter sniffles with a Hot Toddy featuring select bourbons and mixed with honey, lemon, and hot water or an Irish Coffee with Jameson Irish Whiskey, Bailey’s Irish Creme, and hot coffee. Not to be overlooked, their take on a classic cold weather drink, the Pourhouse Hot Cocoa. For this one, you get your choice of their select bourbons plus Rumchata and Bailey’s Red Velvet Creme. I feel warmer already!
Sage Bar at Westin Huntsville
This brightly colored beauty is a mix of rum, vodka, amaretto, orange and cranberry juice and is garnished with a cherry. Now…the folks at the Sage Grille admit that this one is “not incredibly wintery but people have been loving it”. With all the love it has been receiving, they naturally had to call it the Bama Crush.
Purveyor Huntsville
Would you care for a bit of “think” with your drink? Now, I am not saying you must drink “The Historians” collection of highbrow highballs and such with your pinky raised BUT you totally should. These fabulous mixology chronologies are bringing the education to your inebriation. Silly wordplay aside, these look stinkin’ delicious!
Phat Sammy’s
With a growing reputation for a unique, constantly changing and totally Instagrammable “Dranks” menu, this list would not be complete without Phat Sammy’s.
Behold the “No Confusion”!
A spiritous hybrid of the Corn & Oil and Manhattan cocktails, topped with house made Fernet Branca (Italian bitters)/Irish cream foam and blood orange slices.
Ingredients include: Old Forester 86pr. Straight Bourbon, Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth, Woodford Chocolate Bitters, Fernet Branca, Five Farms Small Batch Irish Cream
“Phancy”!
Innerspace Brewing Company
Honorable Mention: Though not technically a cocktail, can we please talk about the Campfire in the Sky S’Mores Stout at Innerspace? With its chocolate-graham cracker rim, and topped with fire roasted marshmallow, as they like to say, it “makes winter suck a little less”.
Sure…these are potentially only a few of the fantastic frosty-weather offerings out there but, I have responsibilities, and therefore could not possibly sample them all.
Whether it’s a warm cup in your hands, the burn in the back of your throat or adding just the right spice to your life, here’s hoping you find your own winter cheer out there.
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Sixth-generation native Huntsvillian and lover of all things Rocket City, living in constant fear of personal geekery deficits and overall lack of geographical nerd-appropriateness, but valiantly fighting to stay abreast of the latest and perceived coolest assets in North Alabama in order to be allowed to stay at the smart people party. I sometimes travel to cool places, see fancy things and write words about them at Tour Dates Travel.
Great article!
Thank you, Patty. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by and read.