Wine Bar
Unclaimed profileBoqueria West Hartford
West Hartford, CT · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Boqueria runs a Spanish-leaning beverage program with real ambition. The cocktail list plays with fat-washed bourbon and pepper-infused tequila, while the all-Spanish wine list covers regions from Rías Baixas to Priorat. House-made sangría comes in three versions, and the zero-proof menu gets the same attention as the cocktails. Local Connecticut beers add a regional touch. Expect well-priced drinks, from $8 mocktails to $17 wines by the glass.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Sangría Tinta or Blanca, made in-house with Spanish wine and fresh fruit. For a cocktail, the Ibérico Washed Old Fashioned uses jamón ibérico fat-washed bourbon, or the Espresso Martini, which customers praise. If you're not drinking, the Whiskey A No-No is a zero-proof option with Ritual alternatives.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Drinkers who want a tour of Spanish wine regions and a cocktail program that leans into Spanish ingredients. The three sangrías and the sherry and vermouth section give wine-focused guests plenty to explore. The zero-proof lineup is developed with enough care to satisfy non-drinkers, and the local Connecticut beers will appeal to craft-beer fans.
- When should I go?
- Brunch offers unlimited sangria or mimosa packages, including a Bloody Mary option, making it a fit for a leisurely weekend meal.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails run $14–$16, wines by the glass $10–$17, and sangría $11 a glass or $39 a pitcher. Zero-proof drinks are $8–$9, beers $6–$9, and Spanish liquors $12–$18. Happy-hour mini martinis are $8–$9, and brunch unlimited packages run $29–$35 per person.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The program is distinctly Spanish without being predictable. Cocktails use techniques like jamón ibérico fat-washing and shishito pepper infusion, while the wine list is all-Spanish with sections for sherry and vermouth. House-made sangría comes in red, white, and rosé versions. Beverage Director Lynne White ensures mocktails are built with the same care as the cocktails.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
The cocktail list is Spanish-inspired and inventive, with drinks like the Ibérico Washed Old Fashioned using jamón ibérico fat-washed bourbon and the Shishito Margarita with pepper-infused tequila. Seasonal collaborations, including a winter menu with mixologist Demi Natoli, add variety. The Espresso Martini is a standout, praised by customers.
Menu strengths
- — Uses Spanish techniques and ingredients, such as jamón ibérico fat-washed bourbon and shishito pepper-infused tequila, to create distinctive cocktails.
- — Seasonal and collaborative offerings, including a winter menu crafted with mixologist Demi Natoli, keep the list current.
- — Customers specifically praise the Espresso Martini, especially during happy hour.
Standout selections
- — Ibérico Washed Old Fashioned — Jamón Ibérico fat-washed bourbon, demerara, Angostura; $16.
- — Espresso Martini — Prairie Organic Vodka, Torres 10 Brandy, Licor 43, espresso, demerara; $15.
- — Shishito Margarita — Shishito pepper-infused tequila, fresh lime; $14/39.
Pricing: Signature cocktails $14–$16; happy-hour mini martinis $8–$9; brunch cocktails $14–$15.
Wine
The all-Spanish wine list spans sparkling, white, red, rosé, orange, sherry, and vermouth, with regions including Rioja, Rías Baixas, and Priorat. House-made sangría comes in three versions, each made with Spanish wine and fresh ingredients.
Menu strengths
- — Extensive all-Spanish list covering multiple regions and styles, from Cava to Albariño to vermouth.
- — Three house-made sangrías (Tinta, Blanca, Rosada) use Spanish wine and fresh ingredients.
Standout selections
- — Sangría Tinta — red wine, gin, orange, lemon; $11/39.
- — Aquitania 'Bernon' Albariño, Rías Baixas; $17/68.; Lustau Vermut Rosé — vermouth, strawberry, orange blossom, almond; $13.
Pricing: Wine by the glass $10–$17; sangría $11/glass, $39/pitcher; brunch unlimited packages $29–$35.
Beer
The beer and cider list mixes Spanish and local Connecticut options, including Estrella Damm and New England Brewing. A Basque cider, Isastegi Sagardo, is available by the glass or bottle. Non-alcoholic beer is also offered.
Menu strengths
- — Includes local Connecticut craft breweries like New England Brewing, Relic Brewing, and New Park Brewing.
- — Balances Spanish imports with regional choices, plus a Basque cider.
Standout selections
- — Estrella Damm — lager from Barcelona; $7.; New Park Brewing Pilsner — local; $9.
- — Isastegi Sagardo — dry natural Basque cider; $8/30.
Pricing: Beers $6–$9.
Nonalcoholic
The zero-proof program is developed with the same care as the cocktails, according to Beverage Director Lynne White. Mocktails like the Whiskey A No-No use Ritual alternatives and verjus, while the Forget-Me-Not features butterfly pea flower.
Menu strengths
- — Beverage Director Lynne White states that mocktails are crafted with the same process as regular cocktails.
- — Uses quality alternatives like Ritual Tequila Alt and Ritual Whiskey Alt, plus verjus and seedlip.
Standout selections
- — Whiskey A No-No — Ritual Whiskey Alt, Ritual Aperitif Alt, Feragaia, verjus rouge, rhubarb bitters; $9.
- — Forget-Me-Not — butterfly pea flower, thyme, honey, lime, ginger beer; $8.
- — O Negative Blood Type — Ritual Tequila Alt, blood orange, verjus, lime, guindilla pepper; $9.
Pricing: Zero-proof cocktails $8–$9; NA beer $8.
Spirits
The spirits list covers gin, vodka, whiskey, and digestifs, with an emphasis on Spanish options like Nordés and BCN gins, plus Patxaran and Basque moonshine. It's a functional selection that supports the cocktail program, though it lacks the depth of the wine and cocktail lists.
Menu strengths
- — Includes Spanish gins and digestifs, such as Nordés and BCN gin, and Patxaran.
Standout selections
- — Destilerías Atxa Patxaran — Basque digestif with anise and sloe berries; $12.
Pricing: Well drinks $8; Spanish liquors $12–$18.
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