Undoubtedly, one of our favourite things about the arrival of winter is the array of festive drinks on offer (like this warming drink © victoshafoto/iStock/Thinkstock).
From warming mulled beverages to traditional eggnog and other spice-infused concoctions, there’s no better way to ward off the cold – particularly in snowy Chicago.
We’re rounding up seven of our preferred cocktail bars in the Windy City, plus some suggestions for what to order from their festive, seasonal menus.
The Drawing Room
Hidden away underground, the Drawing Room is the perfect venue for some temporary hibernation. Of course, no winter hideaway would be complete without top-notch tipples to go with.
We recommend sampling from the accomplished, culinary-influenced cocktail list: The Loosened Belt, which blends Laird’s Apple Brandy, cranberry syrup, and walnut liqueur, is perfect for the season.
The Whistler
A combination gallery, music venue, and bar, The Whistler in trendy Logan Square is festive enough to merit fighting through the snowy streets. The award-winning cocktail menu features an ever-changing drinks line-up.
Try the Autumn Sweater, named for a Yo La Tengo song and perfectly seasonal: it blends autumnal gin, glögg (that’s Swedish mulled wine, for the uninitiated), bitters, and lemon.
The Violet Hour
Named after a line in a T.S. Eliot poem, hip Violet Hour promises to provide a festive evening. The atmosphere is sophisticated yet fun, ideal for a night of merriment.
Crown the celebrations off with a Sycamore Sling, which mixes Buffalo Trace bourbon, pear brandy, maple syrup, and Douglas fir eau de vie for a Christmassy kick.
The Aviary
At the Aviary, co-owned by VIP Chicago chef Grant Achatz, drinks are mixed in a state-of-the-art kitchen and are given the same attention to detail as dishes in a four-star restaurant.
This splurge-worthy drinking den is ideal for a one-off, festive occasion. Note that its basement speakeasy, The Office, is also great for holiday tippling.
Punch House
Punch is the original party drink, and at the newly opened Punch House they serve eight house-made punches every evening. What could better invoke the feeling of Christmas than that?
Analogue
Chicago’s newest hipster dive bar may not seem like the place to indulge in a winter cocktail, but given that it’s run by two Violet Hour veterans, the drinks here have serious cred.
Try the delectable Radio/Flyer, made with bourbon, lemon, smoked brown sugar, and pumpkin bitters.
Lone Wolf
Customers can enjoy warming, freshly baked bar snacks along with an array of drinks at this brand new Chicago bar and restaurant, opened by the folks behind Pleasant House Bakery.
Italian-inspired drinks, like the Seven Sisters (which mixes Fernet, Chartreuse, and two amari) are rich and bitter cold-killers.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to… whose guides cover all the best hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, sights, shops and spas
