drink menu, cocktails, vintage menuIf you’re looking for a truly unique experience then you’ve got a stool with your name on it in front of Sweet Lou, the bartender of Rex 1516 located on South Street. Rex 1516 offers truly inspiring and fascinating hand crafted cocktails, each crafted with unusual ingredients including their own home-grown herbs, house infused spirits and lesser known aromatic bitters. These cocktail creations are from the mastermind of Heather Rodkey, General Manager and Bar Program Manager, who has created the recipe for each thoughtful glass of southern inspired refreshment.

vintage furniture, sofa, antique sette

The Mint Julep and Deep South are standards on this southern inspired restaurant’s cocktail menu, however new creations are added regularly for the changing seasons and special events, such as their popular weekend brunches. Philly Happening Editors Mike and Christy recently had the opportunity to sample these fine beverages and are very excited to share the experience with you.

Cocktail #1: Deep South

cocktail, cosmo, martini This is Rex 1516’s take on southern sweet tea. It is served up in a chilled martini glass with a thinly sliced lemon wedge, and its ruby red grapefruit color excited the palette at first glance. The Deep South has delightful vanilla and lemon notes with a subtle tobacco note in peeking through. It is crafted with house infused Rooibos tea vodka, honey syrup, lemon juice and Bartram’s bitters.

Bartender’s Tip – The best way to sample the aromatics of bitters is to place a few small drops on the back of your hand, rub the backs of your hands together and sniff.

Cocktail #2: Sparkle Spice

Sparkle Spice is the unofficial beverage of brunch at Rex. A mixture of Allspice Dram, Brut Champagne and Tiki bitters, you won’t find Sparkle Spice on the cocktail menu but can certainly request it at any time. This lightly amber colored drink smelled of cloves and gingerbread, instantly reminiscent of the holiday season that is so closely approaching. The delicate balance of flavors has just enough “sparkle” to let the spicy flavors dance across your tongue. Although this was a bubbly drink that many will take as more feminine, its flavors were bold enough for any man’s palette.

Bartender Tip – To warm brandy for a Hot Toddy, simple rest a snifter of brandy on its side in a teacup filled with hot water.

Cocktail #3: Harvest

This simple looking cocktail has a lot going on, but offers the full package, a truly complex and flavorful cocktail. Christy’s originally reaction was actually “Oh my, brandy is in the house!” The Harvest is comprised of a house made apple-coriander shrub which takes three full days to be crafted in-house, a bonded apple brandy, elderflower liqueur and Bartram’s bitters. It boasts a lovely orange aroma and packs a punch of fruity, yet rich flavor.

sage cocktailsCocktail #4: Sage Advice

Sage Advice is crafted with sage liqueur, Carpano Antiqua, Cranberry Juice and ginger and is Rex 1516’s take on a traditional Gin Martinez. It has a beautiful rose color and a delicate little floating sage leaf for garnish. The flavor profile is strong, with sage and clove notes.

Bartender Tip – When Mottling fresh herbs such as mint for a cocktail, be sure to only bruise the leaves, as rupturing the mint leaf produces chlorophyll and will result in a very bitter flavor.

Cocktail #5: Chai Alexandermartini, milky martini, unusual cocktails

The Chai Alexander was a velvety cocktail that at first sip makes you want to curl up in front of a fire on a cold winter night and sip away. Made up of Cognac, spiced cream rum, Crème de Cacao and chocolate bitters with a dusting of nutmeg on top and finished with a brandy infused cherry for garnish, the Chai Alexander is absolutely delightful. With a subtle cherry aroma and cognac this well balanced cocktail is sure to please you.

The end results: Christy favored the Deep South and Chai Alexander which tied for first and least favored the Sage Advice. Mike preferred the Harvest with the Deep South as a close second and the Chai Alexander falling fifth on his list. Let us know which is your favorite!

Stop by Rex 1516 whether it is just for drinks at the small yet intimate marble bar, dinner, or their very popular weekend brunch, and be treated to not only delicious, fine crafted food and drink at an affordable price but a truly fulfilling dining experience. Rex 1516 has personality, something that can be difficult to find in a dining experience, with is rustic southern inspired, turn of the century décor, silent black and white streaming movies by the bar, and talented staff, we are sure you won’t be disappointed.

We Are Supported By:


AshtangayogaAP24

Join Our Community. Click here to learn more