People love to enjoy a drink in the great outdoors. Beer gardens are popping up left and right, and outdoor seating is at a premium. And while sitting on a busy city sidewalk during lunch or happy hour may be a nice reprieve from the workday grind, many people may prefer relaxing in a secluded garden and sipping on house-infused gins. If that sounds like the perfect escape, head over to M Restaurant at the Morris House Hotel.

The Morris House is a National Historic Landmark that was built in 1787. Today, it functions as a boutique hotel and restaurant. M Restaurant boasts a progressive, seasonal American menu that features ingredients that are grown on-site, sourced locally, and some that are straight from the owners’ farms in French Town and Phoenixville.

The local and seasonal ingredients don’t stop at the plate, however. Sip on cocktails and infusions made with fresh herbs and vegetables that are grown in M Restaurant’s own garden.

Opt for the Maple Mushroom Martini made with mushroom infused vodka, maple syrup, and orange bitters, or try the Hot Lips made with jalapeno infused tequila, sriracha agave, and blood orange. If you’re not feeling quite that daring, sip on a Limoncello Mojito made with limoncello, Manatawny rum, lemon, and mint, or try the Garden Gin Fizz with Odd Fellows gin, basil, lavender, lemon, and dry vermouth. And if none of these strike your fancy, there are plenty of other delicious, original cocktails from which to choose.

In addition to an impressive cocktail list, M Restaurant also boasts one of the largest gin collections in the city. Craft your perfect Gin and Tonic by selecting a gin from the extensive menu including a few house infusions, a tonic, and finishing it with an optional zest of candied ginger, orange bitters, muddled cucumber, or other interesting options.

If you’re not sure which gin to choose, go for a flight. All flights come with three gins, a carafe of tonic, and limes. The House Infused flight is a truly unique option that includes a rosemary, a blueberry ginger, and a strawberry lavender infusion. Other flights include Gin 101 featuring Aviation, Tanqueray, and Bombay Sapphire, Local Luxury featuring Portobello Road, Bluecoat, and Manatawny Odd Fellows, and Premium Botanicals with Bluecoat, Martin Millers, and Tanqueray No.10.

All of these great concoctions can be enjoyed inside the M Restaurant or in M’s oasis-like courtyard garden. Rain or shine, the garden provides a beautiful and tranquil escape from the busy city streets. Take a seat at the Copper Bar that wraps around a huge holly tree or tuck yourself away in a romantic nook of the garden.

Happy hour at M Restaurant runs Tuesday through Sunday, 5–7 PM. Sip on $5 “Beers of the Season”, $5 “Wines of the Month”, and $5 house-infused cocktails including the Uncle Palmer with sweet tea infused vodka, honey, and lemonade. If you’d like a bite to eat, choose from the 3 for $15 bar bites menu. Selections include fried oxtail, popcorn shrimp, truffled popcorn, a selection of cheeses, and more. Guests can also enjoy live jazz in the garden every Wednesday and Friday from 6–8:30 PM.

M Restaurant is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 4–10 PM and on Sundays from 4–9 PM.

M Restaurant, 231 S 8th St.; 215-625-6666

Photos by Drink Philly