Food and Drink

7 cocktails we can’t wait to try at the Crunkleton, opening Dec. 17 in Elizabeth—from brisk and tart to exotic and crushable

The Crunkelton’s Sazerac.
The Crunkelton’s Sazerac.

Recognized by The New York Times and named by Garden & Gun Magazine as one of the “Best Bourbon Bars in the South,” The Crunkleton will open a second location in the historic Elizabeth neighborhood on Monday, December 17.

Gary Crunkleton’s cocktail menu features classic cocktails, crafted swills and rare liquors that you won’t find at any other bar in the South.

“It took us years to build a cocktail culture in Chapel Hill, and we are excited to bring this energy and experience to Charlotte,” said Crunkleton. “Our approach to cocktails and hospitality is a step back in time.”

Alex Caterson, The Splinter Group

Here are the cocktails at the top of our ‘must-try’ list when The Crunkleton opens in Charlotte on Dec. 17:

(1) Brock Landers

Taste: Brisk, Tart, Quenching

Deets: London Dry Gin, Genever, Lemon, Spiced Black Tea

Price: $14

(2) Disco Devil

Taste: Fruity, Exotic, Crushable

Deets: Pisco, Lemon, Passionfruit, Orgeat, Falernum

Price: $14

(3) Elderflower Sour

Taste: Timeless and Fresh

Deets: London Dry Gin, Elderflower Liqueur, Ginger Cordial, Lime, Cucumber

Price: $12

Elderflower Sour.
Elderflower Sour. Alex Caterson, The Splinter Group

(4) Sazerac

Taste: Classic and Bold.

Deets: Bonded Rye Whiskey, Cane Sugar, Bitters, Herbsaint, Lemon Oil

Price: $12

(5) Scarface Cohiba

Taste: Toasted Malt, Warming, Evolving

Deets: Japanese Whiskey, Drambuie 15yr., Bonded Apple Brandy, Benedictine, Cocoa

Price: $15

(6) Sweet Chin Music

Taste: Fiery, Bold, Refreshing

Deets: Amaro Nonino, Islay, Scotch, Habanero, Pineapple, Lime, Cinnamon

Price: $14

(7) White Negroni

Taste: Bright, Vegetal, Spirit Driven

Deets: Spanish Gin, Salers Apéritif, Dry Vermouth, Orange Bitters, Grapefruit Oil

Price: $14

The Charlotte location will add one more element to this widely-recognized cocktail bar: A full kitchen centered on an open-hearth, offering live-fire cooking for dinner nightly.

The dinner menu is designed to complement these exquisite cocktails, featuring adventurous appetizers, bold entrees and delicious shared items. Co-owner Zach Goodyear will lead the kitchen, sharing his two-time NC Barbecue Champion knowledge with the crew.

The Crunkleton Charlotte is a private club, and memberships are available online for $10 per year. The restaurant and cocktail bar is located at 1957 E. 7th Street and will be open weekdays from 4 p.m. – 2 a.m. and weekends from 12 p.m – 2 a.m.

For more information, visit www.thecrunkleton.com.

The Crunkelton restaurant and cocktail bar is located at 1957 E. 7th St.
The Crunkelton restaurant and cocktail bar is located at 1957 E. 7th St. Alex Caterson, The Splinter Group

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This story was originally published December 7, 2018 at 12:00 AM.

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