Recently, Bodega closed down for a step in the right direction. An improved interior and updated food and drinks menu has made this popular Short North spot simpler and the perfect destination for a few cocktails. The hardest thing about my experience at Bodega was choosing which drink to try first. All the drinks under the Spring Cocktails menu are light, airy, and packed with statement-making ingredients.
“The focus of this bar is beer. [Sangeeta Lakhani and Colin Castore, owners] wanted the cocktails to be very fresh-tasting and have a high quality, but not to be complicated. [They] wanted them to be really good but not the star of the show,” explained Sarah, one of the bartenders.
The Continental
Strawberry-Infused Tequila, Lime and Aperol
Most mixed drinks I’ve shaken hands with are proud to fool me with intense flavors, only to be whisked away by the brooding alcohol at the bottom of the glass. The strawberry flavor in The Continental, considered the best drink at Bodega, only becomes smoother and stronger with every sip. If you’re a fan of the bitterness most martinis boast, but want something set around the boldness of summer, The Continental will take you halfway across the world. The rich strawberry-infused tequila flavor is anything but ordinary, perfectly complimentary to the light lime flavor.
The Somerset
Cucumber Blueberry-Infused Watershed Gin and Ginger Beer
It seems that the newest trend is to dunk a fancy fruit or vegetable into water and pronounce yourself a health goddess. All pseudo health kicks aside, I can see the appeal; it’s refreshing and terribly good for you. Just as refreshing and deemed most popular at Bodega, The Somerset is a drink that puts new-and-improved water to shame by introducing a combination of flavors to create an unexpectedly stimulating and satisfying mixed drink. Zesty ginger mixed with cucumber and blueberry makes this a drink to start the afternoon, end the evening, or enjoy throughout conversation.
Bodega Scratch Whiskey Sour
Watershed Bourbon and Fresh Squeezed Lemon
The simple syrup truly takes this drink to an invigorating level. It’s more than just a typical whiskey sour; it’s a universal drink for those who aren’t interested in trying something outrageously new, yet are bored with their usual drink of choice. Don’t be fooled by the ordinary glass the Bodega Scratch Whiskey Sour comes in; it shows off a larger-than-life taste. This one is an underrated drink for those who prefer their drinks done right.
Ritual
Watershed Bourbon Barrel Aged Gin, Lemon and Chartreuse
I leave pairings between alcohol and food to the wine-lovers, but the Ritual seems like it would go perfectly with French food. All the flavors of this concoction hit you hard enough to make an impact, yet softly enough to keep you sipping until the last drop. The only difference between me in gym class and this drink at the bar is that it won’t get picked last. What sets this drink apart from a typical mixed drink is the chartreuse. Smooth to the taste and rich until the finish, this drink calls for slight sophistication.
From the Ritual to The Continental, the short and sweet list of cocktails gives light to the direction of where Bodega is heading. The road ahead is sure to be filled with more cocktails, beer, and cheers.
