Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria — 21 Brattle St
“Paloma”
Grapefruit juice, tequila, lime juice, pinch of salt, grapefruit soda
A solid paloma ought to be refreshing. It’s the sort of drink one enjoys on the rocks poolside. The nectar was perhaps too sweet in this one, making it quite unappetizing. Excess sweetness and minimal alcohol are never a solid combination.
“Spicy Skinny Marg”
Lime juice, jalepeño coins, tequila, cointreau, agave, salted rim
This classic drink is a top-seller on Felipe’s menu, but it was nothing short of underwhelming. All drinks were served in paper cups, leaving much to be desired. Would I drink this drink again? Sure, but I would drink most drinks again. Would I pay for this drink again? Hm, probably only if I had already had too many.
Overall… A classic spot for Harvard students, Felipe’s boasts a 21+ rooftop with tables and standing room, mostly filled with college students and young adults. Between the groups of brothers Chad and Brad (dressed in basketball jerseys, because, #sofrat), guests at Felipe’s can order drinks at the bar and enjoy a view of the Cambridge skyline. Felipe’s is a great spot to go with a group (just be prepared to stand), but the drinks are subpar and not all that interesting. Tacos and tequila though—what more could college kids really want?
The Longfellow Bar — 40 Brattle St
“Unknown Country”
Privateer New England White Rum, smoked pineapple, gomme syrup, citric acid
The Unknown Country wasn’t our first pick, but the bartender’s recommendation. We were pleasantly surprised by this drink, made up of white rum, smoked pineapple, citric acid, and gum syrup. The classy presentation of this drink added points to our review, served in a low glass with one single ice cube. The Unknown Country was not overly sweet, but if it had been a bit stronger, I just might have been transported to a beach in the Caribbean and forgotten about my cinder block dorm room in the delightful city of Cambridge. Almost strong enough, but not quite.
“London Calling”
Gin, yellow chartreuse, dimmi, lime, bubbles
“London bridges falling down, falling down, falling do—” you could have said the same thing about me after this drink. Definitely one of the least enjoyable of the whole night, London Calling was both too sweet and too bitter at the same time, almost like my hallway proctor. I wouldn’t order this drink again; I expected far more bubbles and far less cringing with every sip. I don’t even think I would drink this thing again for free. That’s a lot coming from a college frat star at the huge party school that is Harvard University.
“Surfer Rosa”
Mezcal, St. Agrestis inferno bitter, cinnamon, lime
The surfer rosa offers patrons the perfect libation suited for those in search of a simultaneously spicy and sweet refreshment. Mezcal is, of course, the spirit of choice for those looking for a fun yet sophisticated evening. Pairing the spirit with such a unexpected substance as cinnamon makes it all the more superior to its tequila counterpart.
“Vodka Gimlet”
Tito’s vodka, fresh lime juice, a splash of simple syrup
The gimlet always does the trick. Elegant and sweet, Longfellow’s gimlet is wonderfully delectable and ideally chilled with its single stone of ice. Be careful, though: the gimlets pack quite the punch and are known to induce sleepiness in some.
Overall… Longfellow wows with its unique array of cocktail offerings. One would be hard-pressed to find another bar in the Square offering patrons obscure mixtures of mezcal and cinnamon. The balcony overlooking Brattle Street imbues the bar with a relaxed, date-night aura.
Noir at the Charles Hotel — 1 Bennett St
“Fleur de Lys”
Vodka, lime, herbes de Provence, white peach
Delicate and delicious, the Fleur de Lys is soft and light, though it may induce a cruel hangover the following day. The drink’s pink hue and coupe presentation made Will question his masculinity when he snuck a sip, but he loved it too. The Fleur de Lys was a safe bet, hard to dislike, and would surely be a favorite of the night.
“Rue Royale”
Almond, lemon, champagne, Pineau des Charentes
Original and simply delightful to the tastebuds, the Rue Royal is served in a long, classic champagne flute, garnished with a single orange flower. This drink felt both exciting and familiar at the same time, and also made Will question his masculinity when he admitted he enjoyed it. The notes of almond, lemon, and Pineau de Charentes came together seamlessly with a base of champagne. Each flavor was individually present, yet played off the others for a wonderful combination on the palette.
“Battle of Puebla”
Mezcal, quince, lime, Piment d’Espelette
The Battle of Puebla is essentially a margarita with a kick to it. It also comes in a water goblet which adds a rustic appeal. There has yet to be a Harvard woman who does not like the Battle, as it is quite extraordinary. Of course, you can’t go wrong with a more alcoholic margarita.
“Cricket Club Cocktail”
Wild botanical gin, curry, grapefruit, chickpea
Like the night Noah lost his virginity, the Cricket Club Cocktail was wild, eccentric, quite thrilling, but in the end, a bit weird to think about the next day. This was the first drink we noticed on the menu, and the bartender vowed it was certainly their most original drink. Served in a champagne coupe, the notes of curry and chickpea were intriguing and exciting. I would order this drink again, but it does demand full attention so a simple meal is probably the best pairing.
Overall… Noir sits just beneath The Charles Hotel, making this bar elegant, classy, and high-end. While we agreed this spot boasted the best drinks overall, the rude waiter, cold and empty room, and lack of energy within the space left us to agree that Noir deserved a poor vibe rating. This is a spot your parents might like, if they’re no fun. Maybe a nice spot for a break up, because at least you’ll have a strong drink in hand throughout your serious conversation.
Daedalus — 45 Mt Auburn St
“Skinny Megis Margarita”
Blanco tequila, orange liquor, fresh lime, lemon and orange juice, salted rim
Strong and traditional, Daedalus’s Skinny Megis Margarita is a great drink to start the night with, or a good kick to keep the night going. It balances fresh citrus flavors, orange liquor, and blanco tequila. The salted rim and real glass grarnts this margarita a higher ranking than that of Felipe’s.
“Moscow Mule”
Vodka, lime juice, ginger beer, rocks
This classic Moscow Mule hit the spot as the last stop of our drinks tour, but it wasn’t anything special. It has a good balance of flavors and I would happily get it again, but doubt I could decipher it from many other bars’ own versions.
“Sangria”
Burgundy wine, orange liqueur, brandy, pineapple and orange juice garnished with diced green apple
Good sangria is refreshingly sweet. Daedalus’s sangria certainly fits the mold of a good—perhpas even excellent—sangria. Be careful not to underestimate the potency of this burgundy beauty, though. Its sweetness is equaled by its punch.
Overall… Daedalus is an instant classic for Harvard students, and the summer back patio has string lights and a young crowd enjoying warm evenings with comfort food and solid drinks. Daedalus is a great spot for a first date or a fiftieth date, with an energetic scene and something on the menu for everyone. For the best time, ask to be seated on the second floor roof deck!