From the classic destination of Grendel’s Den to spots off the beaten path of Harvard students, we tried eight drinks so you know where to go for your next big night out.
Noir Bar
“Fleur De Lys” – 8/10
Vodka, Lime, Herbes de Provence, Peach
Noir’s Fleur De Lys is wonderfully fresh, a reminder of the summer, but it also packs the necessary punch. Our first drink on the docket typifies the perfect balance of sourness and sweetness. It’s so good it’s perhaps too easy to sip down. The martini glass it floats about in adds the perfect level of sophistication to the cocktail.
Waypoint
“Fairly Buzzed” – 9.5/10
BCN gin, italicus, lemon, orange bitters, absinthe, buzz buttons, honey
Waypoint is known for their absinthe drinks, so we decided to partake in their best-selling absinthe cocktail. The “Fairly Buzzed” did not disappoint. Going in for the first sip, we were met with its cloudy and subtly sweet foam, visually accented by the fancy shine of gold leaf. As the foam enters your mouth, your tongue is surrounded in the tangy liquorice taste of the underlying absinthe mix. Absinthe is said to have hallucinogenic properties, which, unfortunately, neither of us felt. However, the absinthe created a welcomed mildly numbing sensation—like a dulled down version of pop rocks on your tongue. The meeting of the foam with the citrus and liquorice create a sublime refreshment that remains paradoxically light and thick all at once. Order this drink and effortlessly transport your senses to a classy bar in 1920s Ibiza sitting next to Oscar Wilde.
“Moscow Mule” – 7/10
Vodka, ginger beer, lime
Waypoint’s Moscow Mule is lacking in ginger. And its tall, slender glass feels out of touch with the drink’s typical rustic aesthetic of a copper mug. On the other hand, this Mule offers the perfect level of sourness, and its smooth flavor is admirable. While it could certainly be a bit stronger, it goes down quite well.
“Skinny Spicy Margarita” – 7/10
Tequila, lime, triple sec, chili
This skinny spicy margarita went down exceptionally well in the “tastes like juice til you can’t walk” kind of way. The flavoring included the perfect amount of lime, melded with the tequila to create a drink that I consumed way too fast. Waypoint does not use any simple syrup in their drinks, which made it surprising to me that this drink was so sweet—almost overwhelmingly so. While the glass’s salted rim complemented the cocktail well, the salt and the flavor of the tequila failed to fully cut through the overwhelming sugariness, and the drink lacked the kick it promised. Next time, we’ll ask for extra spice and less sugar.
Charlie’s Kitchen
“Moscow Mule” – 6/10
Like Waypoint’s, Charlie’s Moscow Mule leaves patrons satisfied but not amazed. Its potency is severely lacking and it is infused with an excessive amount of ginger. Charlie’s Mule is, however, a reliable libation—a libation incapable of being turned down. Despite its defects, it does its job: you’ll finish the glass feeling very pleased, if not jubilant.
“Skinny Spicy Margarita” – 4.5/10
Go to Charlie’s for the vibes, not its skinny spicy margarita. Though it has the perfect amount of spice and kick, it lacks integral qualities of the classic skinny spicy marg. We could not discern any hint of floral citrus liqueur and there was not enough lime to cut into the clear taste of bottom shelf tequila. Adding slightly more orange flavoring or lime may have also made up for the drink’s unwelcomed bitter aftertaste. Nonetheless, the spice of the drink (and the wonderful Charlie’s atmosphere) somewhat make up for the drink’s shortcomings.
Grendel’s
“Moscow Mule” – 8.75/10
Grendel’s Moscow Mule sits at the apex of Cambridge Mules. Its mason-jar-like dwelling makes the drink decidedly aesthetically pleasing, evoking calmness and warmth. This Mule also boasts the optimal ginger to lime ratio and can be consumed with remarkable ease. Although it could be a bit stronger, Grendels’s Mule nevertheless stands as the Platonic ideal of this familiar gingery delight.
“Skinny Spicy Margarita” – 8/10
Out of all the skinny spicy margaritas we tried, Grendel’s is by far the best. The notes of orange and lime in this drink perfectly cut into the classic jalepeño spice. The subtle carbonation, coupled with the kick of spice that developed in the drink’s aftertaste, made for an energizing sensation reminiscent of an afternoon of day drinking and sun bathing. Though this drink was a bit too sweet, its ranking as the best skinny spicy margarita on this list still stands.
Gogo Taubman ’24 (gtaubman@college.harvard.edu) and Will Goldsmith ’24 (willgoldsmith@college.harvard.edu) tried all these drinks in one night.