The rain and heat of summer produce sumptuous gardens and deck pots overgrown with fragrant herbs. Take a clue from Pittsburgh mixologists — put those fresh plants to good use in seasonal cocktails.
Herbs are infused in simple syrups, used as colorful garnishes and to reinvent classic drinks into something new and refreshing. Basil’s sweet and peppery essence adds hints of anise. Thyme’s camphor-like nuances offer an earthy, subtle bitterness. Spikey rosemary brings the tang of eucalyptus and citrus notes. And don’t forget cool mint. Its crisp taste and aroma deliver sweet menthol undertones.
Monterey Bay Fish Grotto brings herbal inspiration to If I Could Turn Back Thyme, starring Farigoule Thyme Liqueur, straight from the fields of Provence. Rosemary-honey sets the tone for The Fairmont Hotel’s Fl. 2‘s the Queen’s Knees. Space Bar invades the farm with its Gardens of the Galaxy highball. There’s snap-pea-infused St. George Terroir Gin, Absenteroux Vermouth, clarified Granny Smith Apple and basil-sage sugar leaf.
Here are a handful of other herb-ified cocktails offered throughout Pittsburgh.
Broken Basil
The patio at Vivo Kitchen in Sewickley is lush with bright green basil plants. The plump leaves are one of the main ingredients in the variation on the house-made limoncello – basil-cello? – that is redolent of this summer herb.
That basil claims a starring role in the Broken Basil cocktail as well. Basil simple syrup is added to white rum, a bit of citrus and soda water over ice for a light refresher.
The patio basil gives insight to Vivo’s commitment to the freshest local ingredients. The 26-year-old restaurant has enjoyed a loyal following since its beginnings in Bellevue and move to Sewickley in 2010.
This sophisticated spot offers delicious entrees of grilled meat and seared fish topped with the likes of olive tapenade, apple chutney and gremolata. Small plates include crispy duckleg confit dusted with vadouvan curry-ginger dry rub, pan-roasted mushrooms dotted with tangy Gorgonzola and spicy meatballs in a pepper cream sauce.
Mint & Rye
Fresh mint livens the notes of the Mint & Rye at The Eagle Food & Beer Hall, Downtown. The Eagle maintains a creative cocktail menu that includes offerings like the Prosecco Punch, Peach Jalapeno Margarita and Apricot Martini. The Mint & Rye mixes up rye whiskey with lemon, mint, ginger bitters and club soda.
The fried chicken-focused restaurant brings a nostalgic touch with Southern roots dishes. Try the Spooonbread with maple syrup, BBQ Pork Burnt Ends and White Cheddar Grits. The Grilled Cheese Sandwich is a favorite, elevated with three different cheeses, apricot preserves, thinly sliced Granny Smith apple between slices of rustic bread.
If you’re headed in on a theater or hockey night, reservations are suggested.
Il Sole Limoncello Fresco
Translated from Italian, Il Sole Limoncello Fresco mean “the sun-fresh limoncello.” It’s an apt name for this cool sip of sunshine made from house-made limoncello, Ketel One Vodka, fresh basil and lemon at Café Notte in Emsworth. Another herb-inspired cocktail here is the Chandon Garden Spritz. Chandon Sparkling Wine is flavored with Valencia orange peel and fresh herbs.
Dine under the tiny twinkling lights within the dark ceiling that resembles a clear night sky. The Italian menu brings all the expected classics, from Arancini and Stuffed Banana Peppers to Chicken Parmesan and Veal Marsala.
Looking for a bit of drama with your happy hour? Catch the Café Notte episode of “Kitchen Nightmares” with Gordon Ramsey airing on Aug. 25 on FOX.
Phipps Garden
The mixologists at Scratch & Co. in Troy Hill know to have fun with their beverage program. The American Spirit, for example, is a concoction of Buffalo Trace Bourbon, smokey Sfumato Rabarbaro, coffee liqueur, Demerara syrup and tobacco bitters. The drink is playfully accompanied by an ashtray with a pair of candy cigarettes, burnt at the tips, and advice to smoke ’em outside.
The evolving cocktail list changes regularly with mixes like the Peace Maker (Bessemer Rhubarb-infused Gin, strawberry, lemon and prosecco); Six Foot Bunch (two types of rum, banana liqueur, chai, Angostura Amaro and Aztec chocolate bitters); and Steel & Sol (cucumber-infused mezcal, yellow watermelon, orange juice and walnut orgeat).
But back to the subject of herbs: The Phipps Garden cocktail is as fresh and pretty as its namesake. The sipper begins with Scratch Askur Gin, made complex with elderflower liqueur, lemon, rosemary and thyme. A cucumber slice garnish dresses the glass. Another herb-motivated mix is Someone Great with blanco tequila, lime, ginger, blood orange and thyme.
The attention-grabbing food menu is equally playful and well worth a visit.
The Silverman
The go-to order at Point Brugge Café is the Moules Frites. The bowl of mussels simmered in your choice of broth and crunchy twice-fried potatoes are classic. The Point Breeze neighborhood spot sells sandwiches, too, like the Croque Monsieur, Brugge Mi grilled chicken and the Belgian Dip. Entrees range from Steak Frites and Carbonnade Flamande (beef braised in Belgian ale) to Chicken Milanese.
You can wash it down with a selection of Belgian beer or head to the cocktail list. Here, we visit herbs with The Silverman. Basil simple syrup blends with Grey Goose Vodka syrup, lemon and sparkling wine. The Basil Cucumber Collins slakes thirst with Blue Coat Gin, cucumber, basil, simple syrup, lemon, sea salt and soda.
Other refreshing house cocktails include the Hibiscus Margarita, Pineapple ’n Stormy and the Summer Spritz of the Week.
Ginger Mint Lemonade
No one can accuse Nicky’s Thai Kitchen of holding back on presentation. Case in point: The Ginger Mint Lemonade. This luscious cocktail blends the flavors of mint and house-made ginger syrup with Tito’s Vodka, lemon and soda. A flashing “ice cube” lights up the drink for a disco effect of changing colors. The whole thing is topped with a bright flower garnish. You can find this ostentatious drink – and its mocktail version – at Nicky’s three locations around town.
It’s a fine example of the presentation and skill that goes into the food menu, too. From noodle dishes like Pad Thai and Kao Soy and rice entrees like Pineapple Fried Rice and Spicy Basil Fried Rice to the variety of curries and flavorful soups, Nicky’s satisfies.
