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Berkshire Room
Photo: Jason LittleBerkshire Room

Cocktails in Chicago

Whether you love tiki drinks or spirited whiskey cocktails, our guide will help you find the best cocktails and more

Written by
Elizabeth Atkinson
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Chicago has a fantastic bar scene, with great beer bars and wine bars, but it also has a cocktail scene that's worth the buzz. With classics, twists on old favorites and even more adventurous ideas, our best bartenders are perpetually coming up with great new cocktails. Whether you're looking for your next stop for a drink or want to try to make one yourself, we've got you covered with our guide to cocktails in Chicago.

Find the best cocktails in Chicago

The 10 best martinis in Chicago

The 10 best martinis in Chicago

Whether you like yours cold as ice or with a piney gin, we found our favorites at Chicago's best cocktail bars, steakhouses and seafood joints

The 9 best pisco sours in Chicago

The 9 best pisco sours in Chicago

The South American brandy has made its way onto cocktail lists for those who love a balanced cocktail with a citrus kick tempered with an egg white

Cocktail recipes

How to make a martini

How to make a martini

We turned to Yael Vengroff, head bartender at the Spare Room in Los Angeles, for her take on a 50/50 martini that you can whip up at home

How to make a pisco sour

How to make a pisco sour

This South American cocktail has made its way to the US. It's made with the South American liquor pisco—a brandy made by distilling grape...

How to make an Irish coffee

How to make an Irish coffee

Irish whiskey, coffee, a little cream and sugar—there's not much to an Irish coffee, but when you're holed up in a bar on a chilly evening, it can seem...

How to make a daiquiri

How to make a daiquiri

Too often the daiquiri gets a bad rep for being overly sweet—but a great daiquiri is perfectly balanced, a bright mix of rum, citrus and cane syrup

The latest bar reviews

Bokeh

Bokeh

  • 3 out of 5 stars

Retooled classic cocktails and a stylish, relaxed atmosphere make this late-night newcomer a welcome addition to Albany Park.

Outside Voices

Outside Voices

  • 4 out of 5 stars

This very Midwestern wine bar pleases both casual and contemplative drinkers, thanks to its knowledgeable staff and a low-key vibe.

Lazy Bird

Lazy Bird

  • 5 out of 5 stars

This basement bar in the West Loop is easily one of the best new bars of the year.

Carol’s Pub

Carol’s Pub

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4

Uptown’s famous late-night honky tonk tavern is back from the dead and good as ever.

Know your bartender

Crawl through Chicago bars

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