Cocktail Bar
Unclaimed profileEmerald Lounge
Saint Paul, MN · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Emerald Lounge's cocktail program is the draw: a martini du jour, the St. Croix Old Fashioned with house bitters, and a Michoacán Penicillin show range. Guests single out the Penicillin and Anne with an 'e'. Wine spans sparkling to orange, and local beers keep it grounded. The non-alcoholic list includes a milk-washed drink. Happy hour is worth planning around.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Martini du jour for a stirred, gin-forward classic. The St. Croix Old Fashioned brings brandy and bourbon with house bitters. The Michoacán Penicillin is a mezcal take on the standard. For something creamy, the Pink Pony Club. Non-alcoholic options include the Captain Jack Sparrow.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts looking for creative, well-made drinks with a local touch. The cozy atmosphere and praised bartenders suit date nights and pre-show drinks. Happy hour seekers will find value. Wine drinkers have a curated list; beer fans have Minnesota options.
- When should I go?
- Happy hour is highlighted as worth planning around, so arrive early for deals. The venue suits date nights and pre-show drinks, suggesting evening visits are ideal.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails range $10–$17; wines from $8 to $56; beers $7–$8. A cocktail and a glass of wine could run $25–$40.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The cocktail menu leans creative with house-made syrups and bitters, like the St. Croix Old Fashioned's sprite syrup and the Green Lotus Grogg's honey passionfruit. A Martini du jour rotates. The wine list includes an orange wine and a cava brut. NA options include a shrub and a milk-washed drink.
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
Original cocktails with detailed descriptions and a creative range, from a martini du jour to a mezcal penicillin. Guests praise the quality, specifically the Penicillin, Anne with an 'e', and a proper whiskey sour.
Standout selections
- — Emerald Classic Martini du jour – Gin(s), stirred 2:1 with vermouth(s), orange bitters, lemon twist.
- — St. Croix Old Fashioned – Brandy, bourbon, sprite syrup, house bitters, muddled fruit.
- — Michoacán Penicillin – Mezcal, ginger, lime, honey, soda.
- — Anne with an 'e' – Gin, dry curaçao, lemon, eggwhite, honey, green chartreuse.
Pricing: Cocktails $10–$17, with some higher-priced options like Woody's Blanc de Blanc at $56.
Wine
Curated wine list with sparkling, white, orange, and red options from France, Austria, Italy, Spain, and the US. Features a cava brut, a crémant, and an orange wine. Community mentions an NA wine.
Menu strengths
- — Includes unique varietals like turbiana and grüner veltliner.
Standout selections
- — Gulp Hablo Orange Wine – Verdejo, sauvignon blanc, Castilla-La Mancha, España.
- — Don Arturo – Cava brut, Catalonia, Spain.
Pricing: Wines $8–$56, with bottles like Woody's Blanc de Blanc at $56 and Don Arturo cava brut at $34.
Beer
Focused local craft beer list with Minnesota breweries Modist and Falling Knife. Styles include lager, New England pale ale, and IPA. A cider option is available. Beer is also used in a boilermaker.
Standout selections
- — Modist Supra Light – Japanese-style rice lager.
- — Keepsake Cider Chestnut Single – 8oz/750ml bottle.
Pricing: Beers $7–$8.
Nonalcoholic
Creative non-alcoholic offerings include a shrub and a milk-washed pineapple-coconut drink. Community mentions an NA wine. These are thoughtful options beyond standard sodas.
Menu strengths
- — Creative NA drinks with house-made components.; NA wine mentioned by guests.
Standout selections
- — Captain Jack Sparrow – Milk washed pineapple and coconut syrup, lime acid, mint.
- — Crimson Breezeberry Shrub – Raspberry, ginger, champagne vinegar, soda.
Pricing: Captain Jack Sparrow $11; Crimson Breezeberry Shrub price not listed.
Spirits
Extensive use of diverse spirits across the cocktail menu: gin, rum, brandy, bourbon, mezcal, aquavit. A boilermaker option highlights whiskey and beer pairing. Bartenders are praised as knowledgeable.
Menu strengths
- — Diverse spirits selection in creative cocktails.; Boilermaker option indicates whiskey focus.
Standout selections
- — Pat's Boilermaker – Bourbon, brandy, or malört with a 16oz beer.
- — The Huntress – Aquavit/gin blend, dry vermouth, white balsamic, salt, anchovy, pickled onion.
Pricing: Pricing not available for spirits; cocktail program uses spirits ranging $10–$17.
How it sits with the food
The menu notes items served raw or undercooked, suggesting a food program that pairs with beverages. The St. Croix Old Fashioned's fruit-forward profile could match rich dishes, while the Green Lotus Grogg's rum and lime suits lighter fare. Wine selections like the cava brut work with appetizers.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
Community reviews
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