I am a sucker for a seasonal cocktail menu. I love to see how bars and restaurants put a seasonal spin on classics. My spouse and I sampled a couple of the winter cocktails at Everyday Kitchen recently, and they were delicious. Both featured orange as a prominent flavor, but they were very different drinks.
Photo by Julie McClure
The Orange 75 was a variation on the French 75, and was made with gin, orange curacao, blanc de blancs, and lemon juice. It was tart and refreshing, and I always feel a little fancier when I’m drinking something with bubbles. It was a good reminder that “winter” drinks don’t always have to be heavy.
Photo by Julie McClure.
The Winter Negroni was a classic Negroni (gin, sweet vermouth, and campari) with an addition of juniper-orange syrup. It was sweet with a hint of bitterness from the campari, and the syrup added such a nice herbal flavor.
Everyday Kitchen has happy hour from 5 to 6 p.m. every Wednesday and Thursday, featuring half price shareables as well as $1 off wine by the glass and beer, and $2 off well drinks (Tito’s Vodka, Bacardi Rum, Cuervo Tequila, Old Forester Bourbon Whiskey, and Beefeaters Gin). The above drinks are made with Beefeater, so you can try them at a discount.
Everyday Kitchen
1807 S. Neil Street
Champaign
Café
M-F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sa + Su 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dinner
W-Sa 5 to 9 p.m.
Brunch
Sa + Su 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Top photo by Julie McClure.