Spirit Cruises January 2023 Leaderboard

The Franklin Presents the Special 'Dutch County Memories' Cocktail Tasting Menu


The Franklin’s Head Bartender, Sara Justice, has been working on this five-course tasting menu throughout the winter with the goal of showcasing Pennsylvania Dutch flavors and allowing for more engagement and conversations with guests. The menu tells a story reflecting Justice's childhood and the traditional Pennsylvania-German cuisine she grew up eating in Lancaster county.

The drinks are made with some very specialized techniques and utilize a few seasonal, house-made ingredients that render a unique collection of libations that perfectly flow one after the other.

The tasting menu opens up with a citrusy, refreshing and clean cocktail called Birch Beer that's served in a tiny mug with a paper straw. It's made with navy strength gin, birch, licorice and fresh lime served with club soda. Before prohibition, birch beer was a mildly fermented beverage made from birch sap; the birch syrup in this cocktail is made from birch sap from birch trees in Alaska that can only be tapped twice a year.

The second course is Plum Pudding, which is made with rum, toasted milk, plum butter and allspice and served up. To make the toasted milk, dehydrated milk is toasted with butter to the point where it's almost caramelized. Then, it’s blended with Ron Zacapa 23 and frozen so the butter separates and can be skimmed off easily. This process is known as fat-washing and gives the cocktail a nice, rich mouthfeel while also providing it with a savory flavor profile that transitions very smoothly from the Birch Beer cocktail.

In the middle of the menu is Night Sledding, a refreshing palette cleanser made with rye whiskey, pine and menthol served up. Inspired by a Manhattan, this cocktail is light, fresh, crisp and not overwhelmingly minty. It works as a great bridge between the first and the last two cocktails. The menthol in it is a tincture made with vodka infused with menthol candies, which adds a nice, cooling sensation at the end.

The fourth course is entitled Roasting on an Open Fire. This is an incredible concoction inspired by an Old Fashioned that will leave you wanting more. Consisting of smoked bourbon and chestnut praline and served on the rocks, it’s one of the most boozy tasting drinks on the menu. It takes two days to prep the smoked bourbon, which is infused with chestnuts, smoky bacon, red wine and butter, all of which are cooked down and reduced. That resulting mixture is then blended and put into the bourbon via fat-washing, which leaves the bourbon with a very smoky, nutty, rich and savory flavor profile. The chestnut praline is made in-house with charred chestnuts roasted with sugar. All this makes for an incredible drink that’s particularly remarkable and super satisfying. There is nothing else quite like it in Philly at the moment.

Lastly, there's the 'dessert course'; Shoo Fly Pie made with molasses, port, cognac and whipped oat milk served up. Even though this very clever and technically challenging cocktail was inspired by its namesake, the texture, taste and frothy topping also brings to mind a delicious oatmeal stout. The molasses, port and cognac are mixed at the bar, and the house-made whipped oat milk—which is made with toasted oat germ and gelatin—is served table side and floated on top of the drink. It's a rich, creamy and very satisfying end to the tasting menu.

In addition to the tasting menu, there are two complimentary amuse beverages served to guests. Schnitz & Sherry is served before the Birch Beer, and Buttermints & Soda is served in between Roasting on an Open Fire and Shoo Fly Pie.

Overall, the menu is a very pleasurable, thoughtful and unique tasting experience that pays a great homage to our region and its heritage. It's available through the end of March at $65 a person excluding tax and gratuity.

The Franklin is open nightly from 5 PM until 2 AM. The Upstairs at The Franklin is open from 6 PM until 2 AM on Friday and Saturday.

The Franklin; 112 S 18th St.; 267-467-3277

Photos by Neal Santos


Tags: Cocktails, Spirits
Recent Articles
spacer

Feedback

How are we doing? Tell us what you like or don't like and how we can improve. We would love to hear your thoughts!

*Name:
*E-mail:
*Suggestions:
 
Pamper Yourself at These Spas with Bars in Philadelphia

Pamper Yourself at These Spas with Bars in Philadelphia

Whether you're going solo or heading out with friends, we've got just the place for your to relax and enjoy a good drink...read more ›

by Jessie Donofrio Apr 5, 2023
The Best Mocktails, Zero Proof, & Non-Alcoholic Drinks in Philadelphia

The Best Mocktails, Zero Proof, & Non-Alcoholic Drinks in Philadelphia

Not drinking alcohol tonight? These bars and restaurants have you covered with inventive, thoughtful, and down...read more ›

by Michelle Cassidy Jan 11, 2023
Inflation Hits PA Wine & Spirits with 4% Price Increase Across 3,500 Products

Inflation Hits PA Wine & Spirits with 4% Price Increase Across 3,500 Products

The PLCB, announced that a 4% price increase would go into effect on 3,554 of its most popular wine and spirit...read more ›

by Jessie Donofrio Jan 9, 2023
SPONSORED
The Best Cocktail Bars in Philadelphia

The Best Cocktail Bars in Philadelphia

Here it is - the definitive list of Philadelphia's best cocktail bars....read more ›

by Drink Philly Dec 13, 2017
The Philly Distiller Who Got Laid Off and Moved to Hawaii to Make Gin

The Philly Distiller Who Got Laid Off and Moved to Hawaii to Make Gin

In this segment we speak to Olivia Babiec, the former Philadelphia Distiller who moved to Hawaii to make gin...read more ›

by Jessie Donofrio Jan 5, 2023
Bars & Restaurants that Host Private Events in Philadelphia

Bars & Restaurants that Host Private Events in Philadelphia

Holidays, birthdays, weddings, or any private event - Philadelphia has you covered...read more ›

by Drink Philly Dec 5, 2022
Where to Celebrate Philly Cider Week 2022, October 23-30

Where to Celebrate Philly Cider Week 2022, October 23-30

The fourth annual Philadelphia Cider Week is being celebrated from Sunday, October 23 through Sunday, October 30...read more ›

by Jessie Donofrio Oct 21, 2022
Enjoy Fall Weather & PA Ciders in a Historic Setting at CiderFest, October 15 & 16

Enjoy Fall Weather & PA Ciders in a Historic Setting at CiderFest, October 15 & 16

Fall is here and what better way to celebrate than at CiderFest at the historic Woodford Mansion in Fairmount ...read more ›

by Drink Philly Oct 13, 2022
WitchCraft: Halloween Themed Beer Fest in the Middle of the NJ Woods Returns October 14 & 15

WitchCraft: Halloween Themed Beer Fest in the Middle of the NJ Woods Returns October 14 & 15

The team behind the Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival have conjured up a spellbinding event - WitchCraft - a...read more ›

by Jessie Donofrio Oct 12, 2022
LMNO: An Inside Look at Their 'Choose Your Own Adventure' Cocktail Menu

LMNO: An Inside Look at Their 'Choose Your Own Adventure' Cocktail Menu

Fishtown has a new Baja Mexican destination for tequila and mezcal fans...read more ›

by Drink Philly Feb 14, 2022
SPONSORED
View all Articles

Sign up to get weekly drinking news, bar reviews, events and more sent directly to your inbox!

Close