When you find yourself in the new downtown, why not try something Old Fashioned? Slip into the bar at Hub and order a stiff, whiskey drink.
The late-night hot spot at 266 E. Congress St. mixes up a version thatβll really knock your stockings off. Itβs called the Old Pueblo, and wow, is it boozy. The recipe is sort of a cross between an Old Fashioned and a Manhattan, with a good dose of whiskey and sweet vermouth lightened up with some spritzy club soda.
The cocktail would be overpowering if not for the citrus: The bartender uses the flesh and peel of an entire orange slice when muddling, and then tosses in a dash of orange bitters to boot. His other not-so-secret ingredient is a griotte, a brandied sour cherry from France that has been soaked in Scotch to give it a smoky undertone, reminiscent of creosote.
The simple, potent drink is a far cry from some of the tincture-laced Sazeracs and whimsical wine slushies found around downtown these days. But hey, this is still the Old Pueblo, right?
