Portland may consider itself to be the mecca of microbrewing, but that doesn’t mean all of us have to U-lock our bikes to a sketchy sign post and fake an affinity for dark brews. Sure, dollar beer nights at the Tortoise are great, but other tasty alcoholic creations besides PBR tall boys and Deschutes’ Black Butte Porter do exist. For those Portlanders who prefer to sip and savor an inventive, inebriating concoction in a joint with a dress code, here are the top three coolest (non-hoppy) drinks you need to try in PDX:
Flaming Spanish Coffee at Huber’s Cafe
411 SW Third Ave.
Huber’s Cafe is Portland’s oldest restaurant, serving up traditional turkey dinners since 1879. However, their true claim to fame is the house specialty: the Flaming Spanish Coffee. Sure, the drink may cost $10, but it’s alcohol and a show. Once you order the drink, one of Huber’s vintage-dressed Spanish captains will prepare it table-side.
Be warned, you may want to remove your polar fleece jacket and tie back your hair because, yes, there’s fire involved. Huber’s signature drink is a seriously deadly mix of Kahlua, Bacardi 151, triple sec and brewed coffee. It’s topped with freshly made whipped cream and sprinkled with nutmeg, making it a delicious after-dinner alternative to the typical dessert. An inside tip from the bartender: patrons can also order the Spanish Coffee over ice.
Vault Martini’s Pussy Wagon martini
226 NW 12th Ave.
Nestled in the heart of the Pearl District, Vault Martini has one of the most extensive drink lists in all of Portland. Vault’s menu offers more than 130 different drinks and 44 unique martinis, including some that represent each of the seven deadly sins. The standout among the multitude is the Pussy Wagon martini. A fiery hot mix of house-infused habañero vodka, cranberry and lime, this drink is not for the faint of heart. Crazy spicy, but seriously delicious, the Pussy Wagon is definitely one of Vault’s finest.
Due to the bar’s overall awesomeness and relatively small square footage, the place is generally jam-packed on the weekends. Try hitting up Vault’s happy hour on a weeknight for a less hectic experience.
Andina’s piña colada
1314 NW Glisan St.
I know what you’re thinking, a plain old piña colada is one of Portland’s top drinks? Isn’t that a mom-wants-to-go-crazy-during-the-family-vacation-in-Cancún-drink? Yes, but this version is not your mama’s piña colada. Andina is one of downtown Portland’s swankier drink spots.
Specializing in traditional Peruvian fare, Andina is a fusion between old world South American flavors and modern tastes. Although their drink menu is relatively small, each beverage is carefully crafted for optimal deliciousness.
Had a bad piña colada experience? No problem, Andina also offers updated versions of the classic margarita, daiquiri and mojito. Take their piña colada. The Andina menu describes it as “Pineapple amber rum blended with fresh crushed pineapple, coconut milk and sugar, served frozen, topped with Gosling’s Black Seal rum and coconut shavings.” ’Nuff said.