Enjoyed: Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Listed on the menu: Yes, as “Rock Island Old Fashioned”.  All the cocktails on the menu were railroad-themed, which is appropriate since this location was once the world’s largest and busiest passenger rail terminal.

Ingredients:  Muddled orange and brandied cherries, sugar cube, house-made bitters, brandied cherry juice, and Four Roses Yellow Label bourbon, served over ice.

The occasion: We spent the morning at Gateway Arch National Park (at the museum and then actually riding to the top of The Arch) and the early afternoon on a boat ride on the Mississippi River. After a late lunch, we decided to visit Union Station’s Grand Hall for a number of reasons: the location is historic, built in 1894 and still retaining its 65-foot high barrel-vaulted ceiling, detailed frescos, original stained glass, and stunning mosaics; Husband loves all things railroad-related; and there was a bar.

My rating: **** out of 5. This drink was a only a bit sweeter than I prefer, probably because of three (!!) muddled cherries at the bottom and the addition of a tiny bit of juice. Four Roses bourbon has a high note of cherry to start, yet I didn’t find the flavor overwhelming, but simply pleasant.

Final thoughts: Our timing was perfect! We were served our cocktails about 4:30 PM, and then sat and took in all the architectural details. Our server told us the light show would begin at 5 PM, so we sipped even more slowly. Wow! The lights were dimmed, and soon we watched the animated lights as they outlined the features of the frescos and then danced along the vaults of the ceiling. Next came projections of birds in flight, hovering Chinese lanterns, blooming flowers, and exploding fireworks. Wow! (Hilton Hotels commissioned this especially for the Grand Hall. Thank you!) This was the most impressive cocktail hour I have ever experienced!