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A boozy blueberry snow cone cocktail. KC Tinari for Post Haste.

The 15 Best Damn Cocktails in Philly

From experimental martinis to crowd-pleasing punches, here’s the exceptional libations worth sipping

by Ernest Owens Updated
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by Ernest Owens Updated
KC Tinari for Post Haste.

Strict alcohol laws haven’t been able to stop Philadelphia from making some of the most remarkable cocktails in the region. The city’s cocktail scene has been revitalized by award-winning bartenders who are bringing their A-game in restaurants both grand and chill. From martinis being served with a twist to bold spritz that are abundant in flavor — there’s something for everyone thanks to the creative imagination of our restaurants and bars.

Here’s a map of 15 stand-out cocktails that you must sip immediately.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Assassin’s Handbook at Friday Saturday Sunday

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This award-winning cocktail should be in the hall of fame of Philly cocktails for its unapologetically bold embrace of spice, liquor, and aroma. Cognac, Jamaican rum, averna, amaro, and mulled wine, with a dash of habanero tincture makes this a drink that’s not for the meek — but a true rollercoaster ride for the senses.

261 S 21st St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 546-4232
(215) 546-4232

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Piña Colada at BOLO

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Inside of BOLO’s critically-acclaimed rum bar lies the best damn piña colada in Philly. Made with Don Q Gold, pineapple juice, and coconut cream — it’s a simple, yet masterfully prepared take on the classic cocktail.

2025 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
(267) 639-2741
(267) 639-2741

Pornstar Daiquiri at The Ranstead Room

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Legendary bartender Nico Diaz creates the magnum opus of daiquiris with this unforgettable drink that’s made vanilla-infused rums, Madagascar vanilla demerara, passionfruit nectar, lime super juice, and prosecco. It’s tasty, it’s naughty — it’s what an uncensored cocktail should taste like.

2013 Ranstead St (btwn Chestnut & Market St), Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 563-3330
(215) 563-3330

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Broken Arrow Margarita at The Love.

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This remarkable prickly pear margarita is made with reposado tequila and lightly spiced — a delightful cocktail that’s not too tart, not too sweet, but still boozy and fruity.

130 S 18th St (Sansom), Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 433-1555
(215) 433-1555

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Stranger Than Fiction at a.bar

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There’s countless mezcal cocktails in Philly that’s worthy of praise, but a.bar has created one that’s hard to compete with. Stranger Than Fiction is a savory mezcal sour that’s mature and effortless with its blend of mezcal, turmeric, amaricano bianco, caraway liqueur, honey, lemon and other flavors that makes it stand out.

1737 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 825-7030
(215) 825-7030

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Por Dio at Rex at the Royal

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This unlikely concoction of blanco tequila, galliano, carrot, turmeric, lime succeeds at tasting herbal and intoxicating. It’s a great cocktail that will have you thinking its both a vibrant tonic and a jazzy libation at the same time.

1524 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
(267) 319-1366
(267) 319-1366

Also featured in:

Haymaker at Enswell

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In a city where coffee-infused cocktails are contagious, Enswell is bold exception with their definitive take on the popular trend. Made with Rival Bros. Coffee, the Haymaker is made dazzles with Moscatel cask whiskey, Liberty Belle coffee liquor, house orgeat, espresso, vanilla coffee cream. Translation: This isn’t an espresso martini, it’s an espresso escape.

1528 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
(215) 398-5919
(215) 398-5919

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Margerita Vert at Bar Lesieur

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Prepared with mezcal, tequila, génépy, basil, and lavender salt — the Margerita Vert is a bold, yet subtle, cocktail for those looking for a spirit-forward sip.

1523 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 330-2732
(215) 330-2732
A bright cocktail with a garnish on top in a dark room. Jordan Harris for Bar Lesieur

Ridin’ Dirty at La Chinesca

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Stand-out dirty martinis in Philly are rare. But fortunately, the bartenders at La Chinesca restores hope. Shaken with vodka, Shaoxing wine, olive brine, MSG, and topped with olives — this is a dirty martini that can’t be ignored.

1036 Spring Garden St (11th St), Philadelphia, PA 19123
(267) 838-9688
(267) 838-9688

Also featured in:

Mariah Carey Can’t Dance at Southwark

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Southwark has been a constant cocktail hit-maker for years. But with “Mariah Carey Can’t Dance,” they have produced an undeniable concoction that’s tastefully made with reposado tequila, carrot juice, galliano, lemon, and angostura.

701 S 4th St (at Bainbridge St.), Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 930-8538
(267) 930-8538

Canned Heat at Bloomsday

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A cocktail that’s made with vodka, primo, and citrus — with a dash of fermented pepper to top it off — is as incredible (and fierce) as it sounds.

414 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147
(267) 319-8018
(267) 319-8018

Polyester Dinosaur at 48 Record Bar

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Nobody can serve a non-alcoholic cocktail in Philly right now like 48 Record Bar. But their stellar Polyester Dinosaur that’s made with pineapple, turmeric-honey syrup, ginger, lemon and a Tajin rim (that’s topped with your choice of ginger ale or seltzer) is an impeccable standout.

48 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106

Pennsylvania Punch at Philadelphia Distilling

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The Pennsylvania Punch should be a required beverage for any cocktail enthusiast in Philly. It’s a simple concoction (lemon juice, orange juice, honey syrup and Aperol), but the inclusion of the citrus-forward Bluecoat American Dry Gin takes it to infinity and beyond.

25 E Allen St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 671-0346
(215) 671-0346
A citrus cocktail served in a large wine glass with a orange peel.
Pennsylvania Punch at Philadelphia Distilling.
Philadelphia Distilling.

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Paloma Milk Punch at R&D Cocktail Bar

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There’s a lot of tropical drinks out there, but this one is a superstar. Made with blanco tequila, grapefruit, poblano, 5 spice, Thai basil, lime, and coconut milk — it’s undeniably paradise in a glass and a testament to the consistent hit-making cocktails only R&D can produce.

1206 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125

Also featured in:

Boozy Blueberry Sno Cone at Post Haste

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Nowadays, it’s hard to find a creative drink that’s both fruity and icy. Post Haste keeps it fun and festive with this remixed cocktail that features a PA rum blend, Laird’s Jersey Lightning, West 32 Soju, blueberry agrodolce, and lemon verbena.

2519 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19125
Ernest Owens is the Editor of Eater Philly, and the food expert to go to when you’re out of options.

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Assassin’s Handbook at Friday Saturday Sunday

261 S 21st St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

This award-winning cocktail should be in the hall of fame of Philly cocktails for its unapologetically bold embrace of spice, liquor, and aroma. Cognac, Jamaican rum, averna, amaro, and mulled wine, with a dash of habanero tincture makes this a drink that’s not for the meek — but a true rollercoaster ride for the senses.

261 S 21st St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 546-4232
(215) 546-4232

Piña Colada at BOLO

2025 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

Inside of BOLO’s critically-acclaimed rum bar lies the best damn piña colada in Philly. Made with Don Q Gold, pineapple juice, and coconut cream — it’s a simple, yet masterfully prepared take on the classic cocktail.

2025 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
(267) 639-2741
(267) 639-2741

Pornstar Daiquiri at The Ranstead Room

2013 Ranstead St (btwn Chestnut & Market St), Philadelphia, PA 19103

Legendary bartender Nico Diaz creates the magnum opus of daiquiris with this unforgettable drink that’s made vanilla-infused rums, Madagascar vanilla demerara, passionfruit nectar, lime super juice, and prosecco. It’s tasty, it’s naughty — it’s what an uncensored cocktail should taste like.

2013 Ranstead St (btwn Chestnut & Market St), Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 563-3330
(215) 563-3330

Broken Arrow Margarita at The Love.

130 S 18th St (Sansom), Philadelphia, PA 19103

This remarkable prickly pear margarita is made with reposado tequila and lightly spiced — a delightful cocktail that’s not too tart, not too sweet, but still boozy and fruity.

130 S 18th St (Sansom), Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 433-1555
(215) 433-1555

Stranger Than Fiction at a.bar

1737 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

There’s countless mezcal cocktails in Philly that’s worthy of praise, but a.bar has created one that’s hard to compete with. Stranger Than Fiction is a savory mezcal sour that’s mature and effortless with its blend of mezcal, turmeric, amaricano bianco, caraway liqueur, honey, lemon and other flavors that makes it stand out.

1737 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 825-7030
(215) 825-7030

Por Dio at Rex at the Royal

1524 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19146

This unlikely concoction of blanco tequila, galliano, carrot, turmeric, lime succeeds at tasting herbal and intoxicating. It’s a great cocktail that will have you thinking its both a vibrant tonic and a jazzy libation at the same time.

1524 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
(267) 319-1366
(267) 319-1366

Haymaker at Enswell

1528 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102

In a city where coffee-infused cocktails are contagious, Enswell is bold exception with their definitive take on the popular trend. Made with Rival Bros. Coffee, the Haymaker is made dazzles with Moscatel cask whiskey, Liberty Belle coffee liquor, house orgeat, espresso, vanilla coffee cream. Translation: This isn’t an espresso martini, it’s an espresso escape.

1528 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
(215) 398-5919
(215) 398-5919

Margerita Vert at Bar Lesieur

1523 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Prepared with mezcal, tequila, génépy, basil, and lavender salt — the Margerita Vert is a bold, yet subtle, cocktail for those looking for a spirit-forward sip.

1523 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 330-2732
(215) 330-2732
A bright cocktail with a garnish on top in a dark room. Jordan Harris for Bar Lesieur

Ridin’ Dirty at La Chinesca

1036 Spring Garden St (11th St), Philadelphia, PA 19123

Stand-out dirty martinis in Philly are rare. But fortunately, the bartenders at La Chinesca restores hope. Shaken with vodka, Shaoxing wine, olive brine, MSG, and topped with olives — this is a dirty martini that can’t be ignored.

1036 Spring Garden St (11th St), Philadelphia, PA 19123
(267) 838-9688
(267) 838-9688

Mariah Carey Can’t Dance at Southwark

701 S 4th St (at Bainbridge St.), Philadelphia, PA 19147

Southwark has been a constant cocktail hit-maker for years. But with “Mariah Carey Can’t Dance,” they have produced an undeniable concoction that’s tastefully made with reposado tequila, carrot juice, galliano, lemon, and angostura.

701 S 4th St (at Bainbridge St.), Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 930-8538
(267) 930-8538

Canned Heat at Bloomsday

414 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147

A cocktail that’s made with vodka, primo, and citrus — with a dash of fermented pepper to top it off — is as incredible (and fierce) as it sounds.

414 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147
(267) 319-8018
(267) 319-8018

Polyester Dinosaur at 48 Record Bar

48 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106

Nobody can serve a non-alcoholic cocktail in Philly right now like 48 Record Bar. But their stellar Polyester Dinosaur that’s made with pineapple, turmeric-honey syrup, ginger, lemon and a Tajin rim (that’s topped with your choice of ginger ale or seltzer) is an impeccable standout.

48 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106

Pennsylvania Punch at Philadelphia Distilling

25 E Allen St, Philadelphia, PA 19123

The Pennsylvania Punch should be a required beverage for any cocktail enthusiast in Philly. It’s a simple concoction (lemon juice, orange juice, honey syrup and Aperol), but the inclusion of the citrus-forward Bluecoat American Dry Gin takes it to infinity and beyond.

25 E Allen St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 671-0346
(215) 671-0346
A citrus cocktail served in a large wine glass with a orange peel.
Pennsylvania Punch at Philadelphia Distilling.
Philadelphia Distilling.

Paloma Milk Punch at R&D Cocktail Bar

1206 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125

There’s a lot of tropical drinks out there, but this one is a superstar. Made with blanco tequila, grapefruit, poblano, 5 spice, Thai basil, lime, and coconut milk — it’s undeniably paradise in a glass and a testament to the consistent hit-making cocktails only R&D can produce.

1206 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125

Boozy Blueberry Sno Cone at Post Haste

2519 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19125

Nowadays, it’s hard to find a creative drink that’s both fruity and icy. Post Haste keeps it fun and festive with this remixed cocktail that features a PA rum blend, Laird’s Jersey Lightning, West 32 Soju, blueberry agrodolce, and lemon verbena.

2519 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19125

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