Downtown Lancaster does not suffer from a lack of specialty cocktails. Though this roundup is by no means exhaustive, we’ve got our eye on quite a few. Use this as a guide to help taste your way through town, and don’t forget to share your favorites!
The Horse Inn
The Horse Inn’s cocktail menu is extensive and will take many a trip to explore in depth. Although there’s plenty of room to get adventurous, the speakeasy vibe lends itself to the classics, like a sazerac or old fashioned. It’s also a great place to get your real egg-white cocktail fix. 540 E. Fulton St., (717) 392-5528
John J. Jeffries
At John J. Jeffries, the cocktail menu is seasonal with a nod to nostalgia. The Seelbach is a great option with complex flavor for bourbon fans. The Pink Dove is a nice tequila- and St. Germain-based cocktail that’s light and refreshing without being too sweet. Lavender is one of my favorites in coffee, baked goods or tea, so I’m particularly interested in trying the Lavender Sidecar. 300 Harrisburg Ave., (717) 431-3307
Hunger & Thirst
Hunger & Thirst features a seasonal menu with a great Mule selection. The prices adequately reflect the quality of the drinks, which definitely rival, and even surpass, those in major cities. 920 Landis Ave., (717) 208-3808
Pour
Switch up your usual Mule for a Mezcal Mule, or channel your inner Londoner with a Pimm’s Cup. The Deluxe Pop Deluxe features both Thistle Finch Black Pepper Rye Whiskey and Art in the Age’s Root. 114 N. Prince St., (717) 290-8080
Aussie & the Fox
I want a Milk Man for dessert! Consisting of bourbon, cold brew coffee, honey simple syrup and some cream, this is perfectly decadent at a late brunch in the summertime. Mr. Fox is another delicious-sounding brunch option including Tito’s vodka, cold brew coffee, honey simple syrup and lavender bitters. If you want more of a kick from your cocktail, opt for The White Hot, a rum-based cocktail with pineapple and lime juice and jalapeno simple syrup. 38 W. King St., (717) 826-4040
Luca
Everyone’s excited about the new place in town for both food and drinks. All the drinks look delicious, but for a side of showmanship with your cocktail, order the Rhubarbarella, which is presented with a flaming stem of rosemary extinguished into the drink, or the Li Fiori (pictured at the top of this article), which might possibly be the prettiest drink you’ll ever see. 436 W. James St., (717) 553-5770
- Photos: Mary Bigham
