It’s an exciting time for cocktail culture in Columbus. Lots of restaurants around town are incorporating locally made spirits and ingredients into their creations and coming up with creative twists on classic drinks. Here are 10 great cocktails to seek out around the city!
Basi Italia
811 Highland Street — Victorian Village
Basi always has both red and white sangrias that pair nicely with their modern Italian fare, and nightly blackboard specials are worth exploring as well. But a reliable standby is the Vanilla Mule, made with OYO Honey Vanilla Bean vodka, fresh lemon and ginger.
Black Creek Bistro
51 Parsons Avenue — Olde Towne East
Black Creek has a list of “Columbus Cocktails,” made with local spirits such as Watershed Four Peel Gin and OYO Vodka. Try the Oak Pony, made with OYO Stone Fruit Vodka, demerara, fresh lemon juice, Aperol, Domain de Canton and orange peel.
Curio
491 South Fourth Street — German Village
Curio specializes in the art of the cocktail, and their seasonal menus are well worth exploring. Recent standouts have been the 24 Carrot with Hayman’s Old Tom Gin, Aperol, carrot, lemon and green cardamom, and an updated Algonguin with Old Overholt rye, caramelized pineapple, vermouth and acid phosphate. But if you’re looking for a rock solid recommendation that’s always on the menu, go for the Oaxacan Old Fashioned. This smoky specialty is made with Reposado Tequila, mescal, agave and bitters.
Denmark
463 North High Street — Downtown
Denmark has a sprawling cocktail list featuring drinks made with fresh fruits, herbs and tinctures. Check out the Whiskey Flower, their take on the classic whiskey sour. It’s a floral twist made with Buffalo Trace bourbon, jasmine liqueur, honey, lavender bitters and egg white.
Due Amici
67 East Gay Street — Downtown
Due’s house-infused vodkas in pineapple and pepper taste great in almost any drink, but the drinks incorporating locally made Middle West and Watershed liquors are the real standouts. Try the Bourbon & Nocino, a beautifully simple pairing that allows Watershed’s Bourbon and their Nocino, a rare Ohio black walnut liqueur, to shine.
G. Michael’s Bistro & Bar
595 South Third Street — German Village
At the bar at G. Michael’s, you’ll find a respectable list of classic cocktails and martinis with a twist. You’ll love the Village Royale, a bubbly cocktail named after the restaurant’s German Village location. It’s a combination of Vox Vodka, muddled orange, Caravella Limoncello, Grand Marnier and Prosecco.
Milestone 229
229 Civic Center Drive — Downtown
Milestone has a nicely diverse cocktail list, including a barrel-aged margarita that’s quite popular. For something you can’t try anywhere else, go for the Downtown Dill-y. It’s a complex cocktail made with The Botanist Gin, St. Germaine, Falernum, cucumber and dill.
Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails
73 East Gay Street — Downtown
Tip Top touts its cocktails right in the restaurant name, and for good reason. The Downtown hangout boasts a fun selection of whiskey cocktails named after Columbus trivia. A refreshing favorite is the Flytown Pick-Me-Up, made with Ohio Maple Syrup, Old Crow Whiskey and ginger ale.
Trattoria Roma
1447 Grandview Avenue — Fifth by Northwest
This Grandview Avenue Italian spot has a list filled with Italian-themed cocktails, such as The Sinatra, The Godfather and the Italian Bullet. Definitely try the Smoking Jacket, which combines OYO Whiskey with Chartreuse, apple cider and black walnut bitters.
Z Cucina
1368 Grandview Avenue — Fifth by Northwest
Z Cucina’s cocktails boast flavor profiles just as sophisticated as you’ll find on the food menu. Don’t miss the Spiced Pear Fizz, with pear-infused Watershed Vodka, ginger liqueur and housemade rosemary syrup topped with Prosecco.
Dine Originals Columbus celebrates, supports and promotes the culinary diversity that locally owned and operated member restaurants contribute to the identity and culture of our city. The nonprofit group is committed to strengthening the local economy and enriching the community through education and charitable partnerships.
A limited number of Dine Originals Columbus restaurant gift certificates are on sale now for 30% off! Buy them at doc.instagift.com/discount-sale.
For more information, visit www.dineoriginalscolumbus.com.