Guests can now enjoy a variety of fall cocktail at Beacon Tavern (405 N. Wabash Ave.), The Dawson (730 W. Grand Ave.), and The Gage (24 S. Michigan Ave.). Each menu is outfitted with seasonal trends including the use of cardamaro, carrot juice, oatmeal, apple cinnamon, madeira, black pepper, chai syrup, apricot, grappa, and more.

Beacon Tavern, all $14 by head bartender Alex Schmaling

  • Cornucopia (Cranberry sauce-infused vodka, Cardamaro, Dolin Dry Vermouth de Chambery, lime): A crafty cosmopolitan that’s citrus-driven, full of cranberry sauce flavors of orange, spice and bay with herbaceous and bitter notes from the vermouth and cardamaro.
  • Changing Leaves (Knob Creek rye, Coeur de Lion Calvados, Braulio Amaro Alpino, oat syrup, dark molasses, angostura, lemon): Apple cinnamon oatmeal rolled up in a calvados and rye cocktail.
  • Overwinter Cobbler (Tromba Blanco tequila, Del Maguey Vida mezcal, Lustau Amontillado “Los Arcos”, Ancho Reyes, Carrot juice): Classic cobbler made with Amontillado sherry, tequila and mezcal for a smoky/earthy kick with carrot and lemon juices for balance.
  • Sleeper Car (Beefeater gin, Plantation Double-Aged Dark Rum, Chai concentrate, milk): Gin-and-rum iced chai prepared with a strong ginger-forward house-made chai concentrate along with gin, dark rum, milk, and a hint of maple for sweetness.

The Gage by beverage director Torrence O’Haire

  • The Long Goodbye, $14 (Vikre Øvrevann Aquavit, Cannella Cinnamon Liqueur, Raspberry Cordial, Lime, Honey): Fresh, tart, and fruity, but full of earthy aromatic spice notes.
  • Golden Hours, $14 (Rosemary-Black Pepper Infused Gin, Benedictine, Pear, Lemon): Fresh and tart, with big savory notes. It’s a sour first-and-foremost, but with added complexity from the fruit and spice.
  • Cure Light Wounds, $14 (Pierre Ferrand 1840 cognac, Rutte Old Simon Genever, Beet Shrub, Earl Grey, Gomme, Champagne): Complex and savory with herbal bitterness from the tea, and lots of earthy flavor from the spirits.
  • The Queen’s Rebuke, $15 (Angel’s Envy Bourbon, Mad Hare Poitín, Suze bitter, Carpano Bianco, Black Lemon bitters): A seasonal negroni-inspired cocktail that is spirit-forward, unabashedly bitter with floral and citrus aromatics.
  • Madeira Cobbler, $13 (5yr Bual Madeira, Pineapple Cordial, Gravenstein Apple, Thyme, Nutmeg): A light, sweet, and fruity, cobbler with complex nutty notes from the Madeira.  Low in alcohol and made for easy sipping.
  • I Love Your Kiss Forever, $15 (Honey-nut-Cheerios-infused Oloroso Sherry, Tromba Reposado Tequila, Ilegal Mezcal, Briottet Creme de Banane, Orgeat, Egg yolk, Angostura): Named after an obscure Warhol print, composed of several superimposed copies of Marilyn Monroe’s lips and inspired by the Art Institute of Chicago’s upcoming exhibit, Warhol: From A to B and Back Again. Warhol loved cereal and this cocktail is based on a classic “sherry flip” but infused with Cheerios.  It’s a tequila eggnog (rompope) with a bit of nutty sweetness from the cereal-infusion, and a touch of aromatics from the super high-end banana liqueur which mimics the taste of banana bread.

The Dawson, all $13 by bartender Paul Walker

  • Isle Full of Noises (Meletti Amaro, House-made Falernum, Lime): Refreshing, crushable, and dreamy
  • Foolish Wit (Prairie Gin, Sherry, Tea Liqueur, Yuzu, Basil, Lime, Soda, Xocotal): Floral, lush and kinetic
  • Rue for You (Reyka Vodka, Grappa Candolini Ruta, Sherry, Lime, Soda): Dry, crisp, and clear
  • Banish All the World (Knob Creek Rye, Averna, Appleton Rum, Sassafras, Birch Bark): Woodsie, and fireside Ready
  • Love’s Labour’s Lost (​served on draft) (Tromba Tequila, Red Wine, Apricot, Sage, Honey, Orange, Lemon, Bitters): Robust, vibrant, wicked
Beverage, Industry News