Kelly Moritz

Butcher & the Boar's Brainstorm pays homage to bourbon and bold flavor

Brainstorm
Butcher & the Boar
$10

"Quality over quantity" is the name of the game in fine dining, small plates and subtle taste, restraint and dainty plating. But with bold flavors and portion to sizes to match, Butcher & the Boar has us questioning whether you can't have both. With big-ticket items like a double-cut Berkshire pork chop, the bourbon-heavy Brainstorm cocktail sits pretty by your plate, ready to stand its ground against all that meaty goodness with a deceptively potent profile.

Kelly Moritz

Transport yourself to Paris by way of Minneapolis with a patio cocktail at Lucia's

Paris Martini
Lucia's Restaurant and Wine Bar
$12

A casually chic café set close to a busy street, a wisp of charming music drifting by across the chatter of couples out enjoying the first patio days of the season: capture the romance of it all with the Paris Martini at Lucia's. This drink of the week is a nod to the joy of spring and the glorious, restorative feeling that comes with seeing buds on trees.

Kelly Moritz

A cocktail that sings and stings at Eat Street Social

There's spring fever, and there's cabin fever, and never the twain shall meet? With May Day come and gone, and snow on the horizon yet again, the two have fast become one and the same. With a gorgeous, short-lived spate of nice days a distant memory, soothe your feverish mind and spirit at Eat Street Social, where you can sip on their booze-laced version of Spring Fever and bask in a fleeting bouquet of citrus, light, and a specialty ingredient straight from the garden.

Kelly Moritz

A charming and simple Drink of the Week

Ghebregzi
Bar La Grassa
$9

In the world of cocktails, some would argue there's nothing new under the sun; a little sweet, a little sour, a little bitter -- a cocktail is a cocktail, and it's something to enjoy, not dissect. So when you come across a regular old pairing of spirit and mixer that sneaks up looking normal and takes you pleasantly by surprise with a well-placed twist, it's worth talking about. Take the gin-and-grapefruit-based Ghebregzi at Bar La Grassa, a spot well known for near-perfect and elevated execution of everything from house-made limoncello to fresh pappardelle.

Kelly Moritz

Perk up with this Indeed and Dogwood coffee ale collaboration

Indeed Burr Grinder Coffee Ale
Grumpy's Bar and Grill
$5

It's hump day, the vintage "Country Club Malt Liquor" sconces are illuminated over the kitsch crimson damask wall paper, and it's down to the wire in the audio round of your weekly trivia battle at the original Grumpy's in Northeast: quick, what are you drinking? Smart beer imbibers will be reaching for the Burr Grinder from Indeed while it lasts on tap, the Dogwood collaboration coffee ale that will keep you on point until the last points are counted.

Vincent Marcinelli

Defrost with a hefty helping of Fiery German at the Black Forest bar

Fiery German
The Black Forest Inn
$6.50

Two words, Twin Cities: "thunder snow." Now, you can either curl up in a fetal ball until actual spring arrives or embrace this apocalyptic weather trend, pull those snow boots out of storage for the third time, and soldier on into the night in search of strong booze like the hearty Minnesotan you are. Make the slog to the venerable Black Forest Inn, where the quaint Bavarian ski chalet vibe makes sense of, even celebrates, this unseasonal precipitation. Tie one on with the Fiery German, a no-frills, chill-proof shot of body heat.

Kelly Moritz

Orange, spice, and citrus rum turn an afternoon off into a celebration

Underachiever
Eli's Food and Cocktails
$7.50

Eli's just gets it. From the fact that almost all the menu items are draped in bacon, gourmet cheese, or house-cured meats to the fact that you can get any of these items past 8 o'clock on a weekday, Eli's has had the upscale, classic comfort food thing down pat before it was trendy. And they understand that sometimes, when the situation (or lack thereof) calls for it, you need a pint glass full of various complementary spirits that taste good, go down easy, and keep you company while you wile away the hours. Loafer, meet Underachiever.

Kelly Moritz

Fresh produce juiced to order at Mississippi Market

Apple Zinger
$5.99
Mississippi Market

It's that time of year, when those of us who care about such things snap out of our daylight-savings-induced long sleep with a few extra pounds in tow and visions of tank tops in our heads. Whether you want to inject some liquid nutrients into a newly jump-started healthy diet or just want something tasty and completely natural to sip on, Mississippi Market has its fresh juice game down to a science. Friendly advice: Don't shock your body with a cup full of greens on the first go; dip a toe in gently with the Apple Zinger.

Kelly Moritz

Linger over this sophisticated rye cocktail at Nightingale

Ample Time
Nightingale
$8

Schedules, "honey-do" lists, appointments to keep -- days could go by this way, no relief in sight. Pencil in some R&R at Nightingale, with its rich navy and brass details inviting you to claim some leisure time, captain of your own ship for a stolen hour or two. Indulge in plate after plate of casually elegant food, and savor the Ample Time, a spicy, warming rye-based rocks drink from an elevated yet wholly approachable collection of cocktails.

Kelly Moritz

The Ajax at Amsterdam puts us in a carefree state of mind

Countryside tulips and wooden shoes aside, Amsterdam is a party city, and its namesake joint in downtown St. Paul lives up to the reputation. With live music careening off the walls and a bar menu stacked with creative ways to get tipsy on gin you've never heard of, drinking at Amsterdam Bar and Hall will be, for many, a blast to the past when beer, clear liquor, and lemonade mixed together in a bucket made an acceptable party punch. Channel that inner party monster with the Ajax, a boilermaker with a Dutch twist.