Cocktail News

Neighborhood bars have added some tasty, thirst-quenching cocktail options to their menus this spring. With ingredients like dragon fruit, hibiscus, and Lebanese spiced syrup, and more, these thoughtful sips expand the wonderful range of cocktails available in South Lake Union.

Ba Bar has seven (!) new cocktails in their already delicious lineup. Each cocktail was created by a different team member from various Ba Bar locations (but all are available at SLU). They are:

Exactly What I’m Looking For — Mezcal, pineapple tamarind syrup, Strega, tiki bitters; David, Capitol Hill)

Lit By Love — Rose petal/chili infused mezcal, Damiana herbal liqueur, pear, burlesque bitters; Mackenna, U-Village

Ring Around the Rosey — Vietnamese and American gin, mango cinnamon syrup, lemon; Henry, U-Village

Lola’s Halo-Halo Agricole and coconut rum, orgeat, ube, coconut, pineapple; Jessica, Capitol Hill

Da Nang Pastry Shop — Toki whiskey, tropical shrub, honey soy syrup, egg white; Rob, U-Village

Summer Strum — Rum, passionfruit, lemongrass, coconut, pineapple, Vietnamese herbs; Rob, U-Village

Freckled Dragon — Pandan basil gin, dragon fruit, Sakura vermouth, lemon; Michael, SLU

Timothy Skondin, beverage director for Mama Restaurant Group, noted that some new cocktails are in the works at mbar, and confirmed two new drinks — a nitro espresso martini (Finca cold brew, Amaro Averna, Skyy vodka, and honey syrup) and the mbar highball (Suntory Toki Japanese Whisky, house bitter blend, and Lebanese spiced syrup). Skondin also noted mbar will be expanding its hours beginning May 7 (exact closing times tbd, but Skondin said they’ll be open 12pm to late during Fridays through Sundays during the summer.)

Willmott’s Ghost has entered the chat with its new lineup of spring cocktails. In an Instagram post in early April, Renee Erickson’s spot at The Spheres showed off its new spring lineup:

Good Days — Vodka, amara rossa, hibiscus, orange, lemon, Peychaud’s bitters, absinthe

New Sensations — White rum, Amaricano Bianco, rum fire, lime, falernum, grapefruit bitters

Birth of Venus — Tequila blanco, Aperol, strega, lime

Warley Place — Cap corse bianco, basil, sparkling rose wine, lemon

Willmott’s Ghost is also offering $4 off rotating spritzes during happy hour.

Hot tip: did you know that parking is free in some Amazon parking garages in South Lake Union after 4pm and on weekends? The garages at 2021 Seventh Avenue, 410 Terry Avenue North, and others offer easy, free parking, perfect for exploring the neighborhood after dark on and the weekends.

Have a favorite cocktail in SLU? Be sure to share and tag us on Instagram.