Chad Solomon and Christy Pope—owners of trendy downtown Dallas bar, Midnight Rambler— are at it again. They’ve engaged the experimental fortitude that’s allowed them acclaim as master cocktailors to bring a few new dandelions to the menu. Why are they dandelions? And what exactly does that have to do with craft cocktails? Is “cocktailors” even a word? None of this matters. Just get off your cheeks and head down to the basement bar to taste these fashionable elixirs.
The drink: Los Saicos
Ingredients: Punt e Mes, Luxardo araschino, Giffard Pamplemouse (Pink Grapefruit Liqueur), absinthe, Pisco Porton, Mineral Saline.
Inspiration: A modernized take on the Capitan cocktail utilizing pink grapefruit liqueur instead of a curaçao.
Flavor profile: Biting brightness, dense, sweet fruity liqueur, weighted and romanced with gentle syrupy mouthfeel.
The drink: Cobra Snake Neck Tie
Ingredients: Demerara 2:1, Tio Pepe Fino Sherry, Yellow Chartreuse, Elijah Craig 12 year, Jersey Lightning, bitter almond extract, Mineral Saline, phosphoric acid, cava.
Inspiration: The drink is dually inspired by the Jimmy Roosevelt & Copperhead Cocktails. Built on the triumvirate of apple brandy, American whiskey, and Yellow Chartreuse. Chad created the Copperhead cocktail while bartending at Pegu, it’s an evolution of the Diamondback.
Flavor profile: surly, earthy effervescence, unctuous, layered and complex. This is a loaded canon to be taken with considerable patience so as not to run any red lights.
The drink: Sonic Bloom
Ingredients: Leatherwood Honey (3:1), Jersey Lightning, Bee Pollen JL, Chamomile Dolin Dry, Bee Propolis, phosphoric acid, mineral saline.
Inspiration: Following the same idea of an “enhanced” glass of sparkling wine established with the Rosay Rose, and Le Poire, the Sonic Bloom is a diorama of a Honey Bee- From Flower to Honey.
Flavor profile: Grape soda pleasantries at the gate, easy on the mouth, refreshing and delightful in temper.
Midnight Rambler is located beneath the Joule Hotel on Main Street in downtown.
