Head bartenders Phoebe Esmon and Christian Gaal of Emmanuelle are mixing a new menu of cocktails from handcrafted ingredients and uncommon liqueurs and spirits. A highlight of the cozy lounge’s new drink list, which runs the gamut from classic to contemporary to custom, are the “bespoke cocktails,” drinks crafted to a guest’s specifications. Cocktails range in price from $10 to $14. Snacks such as nuts and pickled vegetables ($2 to $8) and meat and cheese platters (M.P.), all locally sourced from some of the area’s top chefs, are also available.
“As more and more drinkers expand their horizons and demand more from their beverage than a buzz, there’s an ever-greater desire for thoughtful one-of-a-kind drinks,” says Esmon, an acknowledged bar expert who is the founder/president of the Philadelphia chapter of the United States Bartenders Guild. Adds Gaal, “We want to satisfy even the most persnickety drinker, and to do that, we’ve assembled an arsenal of rare and unusual ingredients and house-made sodas, syrups and bitters that we use to make each cocktail more balanced – and more delicious.”
The two, who were recently engaged, are now offering a new two-part menu with classic and original selections. The classic cocktail section, headlined “History of the World Part Two,“ introduces guests to the historical and basic recipes for mixed drinks, such as Cocktail, Collins, and Daisy, and invites them to add their favorite spirit that suits the drink to their tastes.
House originals, entitled “New Shit Has Come to Light,” come as Hot, Shaken, Stirred and Punch beverages. Featured drinks include: Hot Sicilian Widow, aged rum, amaro Averna, honey, falernum and boiling water; Baberaham Lincoln, blended Scotch, Aperol, creme de Mure (blackberry), fresh lemon and absinthe; Walls of Beaten Brass, Reposado tequila, calvados, amaro Meletti, golden beet syrup, fresh lime, pink salt and sparkling water; and Regent’s Punch, cognac, rye whiskey, apple brandy, yellow Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, orange curacao, Benedictine, fresh lemon and sugar.
Each selection is quirkily annotated by Esmon and Gaal, giving guests a lighthearted lesson in libations and a glimpse into the knowledgeable and fun character of their barkeeps. Classic cocktails are $10 each; House Originals, excluding Hot ($10) are $12 each; and Punches, presented in large crystal bowls serving four to six people, range from $65 to $275.
In addition, Emmanuelle focuses on “bespoke cocktails,” or drinks that are crafted on the spot, in response to a guest’s desires, whether as simple as “something with bourbon,” as vague as “something that tastes like spring” or as specific as “a twist on an Aviation cocktail.” Gaal and Esmon are well-versed in classic cocktails and theories of mixology, and enjoy interacting with guests to pour one-of-a-kind creations. Bespoke cocktails are priced according to the components used. Those looking for a less potent drink may order a Temperance, a non-alcoholic drink made from fresh ingredients and mixers ($5).
Whatever the order, each is made with the duo’s meticulously handcrafted ingredients such as shrubs, a flavored drinking vinegar, syrups, bitters, jellies, gastriques, preserves and tinctures. Esmon and Gaal regularly comb local markets for exceptional produce and herbs and use their finds to bring new breadth and depth to Emmanuelle’s already impressive bar.
“There’s a place for bottled bitters and sodas, but to truly bring an element of seasonality to the bar, there’s no substitute for making your own,” says Gaal, who has worked with custom infusions before at Noble and Apothecary.
The lowly lit, moody vibe at Emmanuelle is set by the dark blue, red and black velvet walls and weathered wooden floor and wall paneling. Gadrooned mirrors and pictures frames decorate the space as well as a centerpiece chandelier in the shape of a black octopus. The rich, contrasting patterns of the upholstery and walls throughout the intimate space further enhance the casual, warm atmosphere.
Emmanuelle is open daily beginning at 6 p.m. Learn more at Emmanuelle, like them on Facebook, follow them on Instagram (@DrinkEmmanuelle), and follow Esmon on Twitter (@Phoebe_Isabelle).
Photographs credited to Chip Colson.
