Enjoyed: Friday, May 31, 2024

Listed on the menu: Yes, as “Smoked Old Fashioned”

Ingredients: Elijah Craig rye, sugar cube, Luxardo cherry, bitters, orange rind

The occasion: Another family wedding for us! I rented a house near the venue for the weekend, and all seven of our party gradually made our way to Cedar Lake, Indiana. While we waited, Husband, Daughter, and I needed a meal. We were joined by my sister, the proud mother of the bride. This bar came highly recommended, and for good reason: the food was tasty, the artwork inside was fun, and the view of the lake was fabulous on this warm and sunny afternoon. And no one objected to the alcohol selection, either.

My rating: **** out of 5. The sharp rye was a good fit for the smoke-infusion. I was pleased to have a quality cherry, no muddled fruit, and just enough ice. The drink was strong, but not overwhelming.

Final thoughts: We didn’t want to sit on the sunny patio facing the water, so we opted for a table just barely inside, near the thrown-open doors. Perfect! The Friday afternoon crowd was chilling out, and the TVs were showing the Cubs playing at Wrigley. (Two family members were at the park, so we were even more interested in the game.) I could easily spend all my summer Friday afternoons here, sipping and eating and chatting–so relaxing!