Restaurant
Unclaimed profileEddie Merlot's
Fort Wayne, IN · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The cocktail list carries this program: Martinis, Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, margaritas, spritzes, and mules, with the Burnt Orange Manhattan and Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned arriving in a smoking box. Eddie Merlot's Single Barrel Select Bourbon by Knob Creek anchors the house pours, and an Unleaded Drinks section covers zero-proof drinking with three named options. Wine and spirits run lighter but stay functional, with happy-hour pricing across select wines and cocktails.
- What should I order?
- Order the Burnt Orange Manhattan, built on Eddie Merlot's Single Barrel Select Bourbon by Knob Creek with Carpano Classico sweet vermouth, burnt orange twist, and Bordeaux cherry, served in a smoking box. For something lighter, the French 75 uses Gray Whale Gin, St-Germain, lemon, and Mionetto Prosecco.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Drinkers who want a recognizable cocktail list with named spirits rather than a surprise menu, and anyone pairing a zero-proof drink with dinner instead of settling for soda.
- When should I go?
- Happy hour is the value window: $5 off select craft cocktails and martinis, with $8 select red, white, and sparkling wines.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails and martinis run $15-$18, zero-proof cocktails $14-$15, and happy hour trims $5 off select craft cocktails and martinis. The Seafood Tower Bloody Mary is $39.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- Eddie Merlot's Single Barrel Select Bourbon by Knob Creek is a house-designated single-barrel bourbon, and it shows up in the Burnt Orange Manhattan. Two cocktails, the Burnt Orange Manhattan and the Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned, are served in a smoking box.
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
A broad named list spanning martinis, Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, margaritas, spritzes, and mules. Martinis include Dirty or Perfect with a choice of Belvedere, Grey Goose, Hendrick's, or Gray Whale, plus Eddie's Perfect Martini with Botanist Gin. Two drinks arrive in a smoking box.
Menu strengths
- — Named spirits throughout, including a choice of Belvedere, Grey Goose, Hendrick's, or Gray Whale in the martinis.
- — Burnt Orange Manhattan and Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned are both served in a smoking box.
- — Espresso Martini offers a choice of Grey Goose Vodka, Flecha Azul Reposado Tequila, or Angel's Envy Bourbon.
Standout selections
- — Burnt Orange Manhattan with Eddie Merlot's Single Barrel Select Bourbon by Knob Creek, Carpano Classico sweet vermouth, burnt orange twist, and Bordeaux cherry, served in a smoking box.
- — Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned with Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Aperol, Angostura bitters, fresh orange, and Bordeaux cherry, served in a smoking box.
- — Spicy Margarita with Patrón Silver Tequila, Cointreau, fresh orange juice, agave nectar, jalapeño, chipotle salt rim, and a flaming lime cup.
Pricing: Cocktails and martinis $15-$18; Seafood Tower Bloody Mary $39; happy hour $5 off select craft cocktails and martinis.
Wine
Wine runs as a supporting tier rather than a deep list. A Reserve Pairing promotion pairs a seared 8 oz. Filet mignon with a pour.
Menu strengths
- — Happy hour covers all three styles: red, white, and sparkling at $8.
- — A Reserve Pairing promotion ties a pour to a seared 8 oz. Filet mignon.
Standout selections
- — Happy hour offers $8 select red, white and sparkling wines.
Pricing: Happy hour $8 select red, white and sparkling wines; fine wines at special prices alongside cocktails and bar bites.
Nonalcoholic
An Unleaded Drinks section lists three zero-proof cocktails: Lavender Lemonade, Midnight Cherry Spritz, and Fruity Affair. The Fruity Affair uses Lyre's Zero-Proof London Dry Gin with passion fruit purée, Fever-Tree ginger beer, Fever-Tree tonic water, and thyme. Pricing sits at $14-$15.
Menu strengths
- — A dedicated zero-proof section with three named drinks rather than a single token option.
- — Priced at $14-$15, in line with the standard cocktail list.
Standout selections
- — Fruity Affair with Lyre's Zero-Proof London Dry Gin, passion fruit purée, simple syrup, Fever-Tree ginger beer, Fever-Tree tonic water, and a thyme sprig.
- — Lavender Lemonade with fresh lemon juice, lavender simple syrup, sour mix, and club soda.
Pricing: Zero-proof cocktails $14-$15.
Spirits
Spirits show up mainly through the house barrel and a whiskey dinner. Eddie Merlot's Single Barrel Select Bourbon by Knob Creek is a house-designated single-barrel bourbon, and a WhistlePig Whiskey Pairing Dinner ran a five-course menu with handcrafted whiskey cocktails.
Menu strengths
- — Eddie Merlot's Single Barrel Select Bourbon by Knob Creek is a house-designated single-barrel bourbon.
- — A WhistlePig Whiskey Pairing Dinner paired a five-course menu with handcrafted whiskey cocktails.
Standout selections
- — Eddie Merlot's Single Barrel Select Bourbon by Knob Creek is a house-designated single-barrel bourbon.
How it sits with the food
A Reserve Pairing promotion pairs a seared 8 oz. Filet mignon with a pour, and premium bar bites are offered alongside cocktails and wine starting at $10.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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