Spirit Cruises January 2023 Leaderboard

Prohibition Taproom is More Than Just Beer: An Inside Look at Their Cocktail Program

Prohibition Taproom, one of Philly's most beloved neighborhood bars, is definitely known for its beer and cider selections, but this classic bar is no one-trick pony. Today, we'll take a closer look at their cocktail program.

Designed by Nicole Testa, who's worked at spots like Bar Hygge, the cocktail program is a perfect complement to Prohibition's already robust drink selection, offering contemporary twists on classic cocktails alongside the classics themselves. She also had plenty of help from Amy Hartranft, Prohibition's general manager, also a prominent presence in Philadelphia's cocktail culture.

As Testa told us, "I wanted to introduce cocktails [at Prohibition] to both the staff and the guests; this has always been more of a beer bar, but I wanted people to know we're taking it seriously as well as learn the history behind these drinks. Sometimes, a cocktail has so many ingredients that you can't tell what classic a cocktail is even based on, and it's also nice to go out to a place where you know you can get a solid classic cocktail."

The cocktail menu is designed with Testa's modern twists on one side and the classics on the other; Testa said that the "contemporaries are pretty faithful to the originals in terms of measurements," but that "flavor-wise, I took them to different places."

Everything on Testa's menu has a purpose, even the garnishes: "I want the garnishes to be related to the drink. A lot of them, like dried lemon wheels, are just repurposed from other uses, and some are edible, like apple slices. We also use a lot of aromatics, because smell informs so much of what you taste."

If you're still going to Prohibition for their beer, never fear; they still have 12 taps stocked with local beer as well as a robust selection of ciders, along with one beer cocktail, the Sole Rebel (Barbancourt 8 Year Rum, Plantation 5 Year Barbados Rum, orange cordial, cloves, Hefeweizen), which costs $14. They also have an excellent list of wines by the glass, which range from $9 to $10, and a small list of crowd favorite wines by the bottle that all cost just $40. As an added bonus, Hartranft makes it a point to choose only biodynamic and natural wines.

Check out their cocktail menu below — which includes a few hot drinks — and stop into Prohibition next time you're in the area for a perfectly crafted cocktail to pair with your craft beer.

Contemporary

Verdure, $13 (classic: Gimlet, $12)
Stateside Vodka, sage, fresh lime, green chartreuse, celery

Twelve Bees, $12 (classic: Bee's Knees, $11)
Bluecoat Gin, pear-honey, fresh lemon, bee pollen

Traces of Crimson, $12 (classic: Daiquiri, $11)
Barbancourt 8 Year Rum, Plantation 5 Year Rum, pomegranate-chai, fresh lime, Luxardo Maraschino

Beautiful Changes, $14 (classic: Mamie Taylor, $12)
Laird's Straight Apple Brandy, maple, fresh lemon, egg white, club soda, Laphroaig, apple

A Tidbit Jammy, $13 (classic: Whiskey Sour, $12)
Rittenhouse Rye, ruby port, fresh lemon, black mission fig

Anticuado, $14 (classic, Old Fashioned, $11)
Espolon Anejo Tequila, chili pepper syrup, Regan's orange bitters

Melagroni, $14 (classic: Negroni, $12)
Boardroom 'A' apple eau di vie, Eden Orleans cider bitter, Maley pommerbe cider vermouth

Hot Cocktails

Wallflower, $10
Ford's gin, chamomile and rooibos tea, valerian root, honey, fresh lemon

When Darkness Awaits, $12
Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey, coffee, spiced stout syrup, fresh whipped cream, cardamom

Photos by Drink Philly

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