Cocktail Bar
Unclaimed profileEspresso Art Cafe, Cocktail & Hookah Lounge
Tucson, AZ · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Espresso Art Cafe pairs a coffeehouse day with a cocktail bar and hookah lounge after dark. The cocktail list runs from a cucumber-and-vodka Berry Cucumber to a Tajin-rimmed Raspberry Baiju, with an Espresso Martini that leans on amaretto. Fernet pours on tap, and regulars treat it as a back-bar ritual. Nonalcoholic refreshers and lattes keep the coffee side serious. Cocktails run $11–$13, priced for the campus-adjacent crowd.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Espresso Martini, which layers vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, amaretto, and turbinado at $13. For something brighter, the Raspberry Baiju offers baiju, citrus, raspberry, and a Tajin rim at $12. If you're not drinking, the Prickly Pear Refresher blends hibiscus tea with prickly pear and lemonade for $5.75.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail drinkers who like creative, fruit-forward mixes and a coffeehouse setting. Fernet fans will appreciate the on-tap pour and the community ritual of a back-bar shot.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails are $11–$13. Nonalcoholic drinks range from $2.95 to $7.50. Expect to spend around $12 for a cocktail and $6 for a nonalcoholic option.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The venue combines a coffee shop, cocktail bar, and hookah lounge. Fernet is offered on tap, and a recent customer account describes a ritual where regulars take a Fernet shot at the back bar to join the community. The cocktail list includes uncommon ingredients like baiju and Empress Indigo Gin.
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 menu lists eight drinks with clear recipes, from the cucumber-forward Berry Cucumber and El Pepino to the baiju-based Raspberry Baiju. Prices are accessible, and the list balances classics like The Aviation with creative turns like Lavender Haze. The Espresso Martini adds amaretto and turbinado.
Menu strengths
- — Menu lists eight cocktails with specific ingredients and prices, indicating a deliberate, accessible program.
Standout selections
- — Espresso Martini — vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, amaretto, Turbinado ($13)
- — Raspberry Baiju — baiju, lemon, lime, raspberry, Turbinado, soda, Tajin rim ($12)
- — Lavender Haze — Empress Indigo Gin, lemon, lavender honey ($12)
Pricing: Cocktails are $11–$13.
Nonalcoholic
The nonalcoholic program is extensive, covering coffee, teas, refreshers, and Italian sodas. Signature refreshers like the Prickly Pear and Berry versions show effort beyond standard sodas, while the Golden Milk Latte and London Fog offer warm, spiced options.
Menu strengths
- — Extensive menu includes coffee, teas, refreshers, and Italian sodas, with prices from $2.95 to $7.50.
- — Refreshers use house-style components like prickly pear purée and raspberry cold foam.
Standout selections
- — Prickly Pear Refresher — hibiscus tea, prickly pear purée, lemonade ($5.75)
- — Peaches N' Cream — peach & mango black tea, peach & raspberry syrup, raspberry cold foam ($6.00)
- — Golden Milk Latte — turmeric, white pepper, spices, choice of milk ($6.00)
Pricing: Nonalcoholic drinks range from $2.95 to $7.50.
Spirits
The spirits program is light on detail but shows a distinct focus around Fernet, which is available on tap and celebrated as a community ritual at the back bar. The website claims over 60 spirits, though no detailed list or pricing is provided.
Menu strengths
- — The website states the bar carries over 60 spirits.
- — Fernet on tap is a notable offering, and a recent customer account describes a back-bar ritual.
Standout selections
- — Fernet — available on tap and as a community ritual shot at the back bar
Community reviews
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