Last night, I was thirsty after dinner, and I ordered a couple of the new fall cocktails at Punch! Bar in Downtown Champaign.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
Made with bourbon, Mr. Black coffee liqueur, vanilla, and smoked salt, Smoke was such a good cocktail. There was smokiness, coffee flavor, and just a small bourbon bite. The cube of ice was made from coffee, and it really took the coffee flavor up a notch as it melted. The bourbon was infused with vanilla, and together with the coffee and the smoked sea salt flavors, Smoke was a great after dinner cocktail.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
The other cocktail I tried was called Smolder which was made with two kinds of bourbon, chocolate cream liqueur, oat milk, and smoked sea salt. The cocktail was served in a little mug with three roasted churro marshmallows on top and a tiny fork. This drink was so good, I ordered a second one. The marshmallows crystallized under the char, and the topping tasted like a spicy s’more. The bourbon was well balanced with the creamy chocolate flavors and gooey, melty marshmallows. This drink is served hot, so it would make a great adult beverage in this cooler weather.
Punch! Bar rotates their specialty cocktails (and the scented soaps in their pretty bathrooms) with each season. There are more fall drinks available on the menu if these bourbon cocktails don’t excite you.
Looking for other fall sips and eats? Check out yesterday’s article about five autumn foods and drinks.
Punch! Bar
217 N Neil St
Champaign
Su-Th 4 to 10 p.m.
F+Sa 4 p.m. to midnight
Top image by Alyssa Buckley.
