With the glut of craft brews washing over the city since the advent of Beer Week, a once proud army of mixologists had largely fallen under the radar until recently. Stalwarts like SouthWark and XIX have welcomed APO and Franklin Mortgage to the fray and a crop of supremely talented bartenders making brilliant drinks.
When we think of Amada, images of Sangria and Charcuterie dance across our tastebuds, but never cocktails. Why? With access to high-quality ingredients and bartenders, it truly is a Destination of Drinking. Bar manager Kevin Lundell talked to us about a few new cocktails and the method Amada takes to designing new drinks.
“It’s a team effort. We have really talented people here, and we design drinks together in our free time. Saturday mornings we show up and put all the liquor and fresh ingredients on the bar and talk about what might work.”, Lundell said. “We’re not just sangria and red wine. We had to buy 151 to make our new Mai Tai“.
That high-octane offering was designed by Chris Mann, which features a house-made Falernum, by fellow bartender Maria Polse. It’s a smooth offering, tasting of cinnamon and nuttiness that completely masks the heavy bite of the rum.
The Violet Tequila Martini might look a little flamboyant, but once you taste it, there’s no mistaking the power inside. Crispy and light, the Tequila pushes through as a reminder to respect the liquor and be careful. Two of these and you’re buying drinks for the table next to you. Expertly designed by Keith Ramundi, another barkeep in the Amada stable.
Lundell himself is no slouch when it comes to concocting potables. He is responsible for the absurdly tasty Balsamic Strawberry Old Fashioned, a beautiful twist on the classic drink (and my favorite of the afternoon) with ice slowly reduced by 1/4 in a slow stir.
He also devised the Rhubarb Anise Negroni, kissed with candied rhubarb swimming in gin, lemon juice, bitters, and herbsant. Tiny ice chips floating along the top of the glass add a refreshing crunch to the experience.
While you can never go wrong wth dinner at Amada, the next time you need a night out to tie one on, we suggest you give the bar at Amada a chance to satiate your liquor needs. They’ve got the tools. They’ve got the talent.
Amada, 217 Chestnut St. (215) 625-2450
Thank you. I agree Amada has some exceptionally well crafted cocktails – and the prices are on par with others in the city. Glad someone is grouping them with the likes of Southwark and Franklin Mortgage.