When you find yourself in the new downtown, why not try something Old Fashioned? Slip into the bar at Hub and order a stiff, whiskey drink.
The late-night hot spot at 266 E. Congress St. mixes up a version that’ll really knock your stockings off. It’s called the Old Pueblo, and wow, is it boozy. The recipe is sort of a cross between an Old Fashioned and a Manhattan, with a good dose of whiskey and sweet vermouth lightened up with some spritzy club soda.
The cocktail would be overpowering if not for the citrus: The bartender uses the flesh and peel of an entire orange slice when muddling, and then tosses in a dash of orange bitters to boot. His other not-so-secret ingredient is a griotte, a brandied sour cherry from France that has been soaked in Scotch to give it a smoky undertone, reminiscent of creosote.
The simple, potent drink is a far cry from some of the tincture-laced Sazeracs and whimsical wine slushies found around downtown these days. But hey, this is still the Old Pueblo, right?
Keep up on holiday events, gifting and dining at Andi Berlin and Ann Brown’s Holidays in Tucson blog, tucson.com/holidays
