Restaurant
Unclaimed profileEssence Restaurant + Bar
Elkhart, IN · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Essence runs two serious beverage programs under one roof. The Signature Libations list names eight cocktails with full ingredient lists, spanning vodka, rye, tequila, rum, gin, mezcal, bourbon, and Cava, and includes a house 30-day barrel-aged whiskey cocktail and a traditional absinthe drip. The wine list is organized by varietal with vintages and bottle prices from $44 to $2,740, covering Napa, Sonoma, Bordeaux, Tuscany, Piedmont, and Rioja, with large-format Penfolds Grange and multiple BOND Vecina vintages among the high-end bottles.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Showtime, a $19 bourbon cocktail with Montenegro, vanilla, and root beer, or the Essence Barrel Project aged cocktail at $17. The Morning Paper combines rye, coffee, suze, vanilla, and tobacco bitters. For wine, the Frog's Leap Zinfandel 2021 at $83 is the accessible entry; Ridge Monte Bello 2016 at $546 is the splurge.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Drinkers who want a named, ingredient-transparent cocktail list alongside a deep, varietal-organized wine list. The range from $16 cocktails to a $2,740 large-format Grange suits both a casual round and a serious bottle occasion at the same table.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails run $16–$19, including the $19 Showtime and Green Fairy absinthe drip, with the Essence Barrel Project at $17 and the Essence Sig. Manhattan at $16. Wine bottles range from $44 to $2,740; spirit flights are priced at market price.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- A house barrel-aging project gives Essence a 30-day aged whiskey cocktail, and the bar also offers a traditional absinthe drip. The wine list reaches into large-format Penfolds Grange and multiple BOND Vecina vintages while keeping $44 bottles on the same list.
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 Signature Libations section names eight cocktails with full ingredient lists and varied base spirits. A house 30-day barrel-aging project produces an aged whiskey cocktail, and the bar offers a traditional absinthe drip. Pricing is transparent across the list, from $16 to $19.
Menu strengths
- — Eight named signature cocktails with detailed ingredient lists and base spirits spanning vodka, rye, tequila, rum, gin, mezcal, bourbon, and Cava.
- — Essence Barrel Project house 30-day aged whiskey-based cocktail, priced at $17.
- — Traditional absinthe drip preparation, Green Fairy, priced at $19.
Standout selections
- — Showtime — bourbon, Montenegro, vanilla, and root beer, priced at $19.
- — The Morning Paper — rye, coffee, suze, vanilla, and tobacco bitters.
- — Where There's Smoke — mezcal, pineapple, poblano, tomatillo, and cilantro.
- — Yes Im Changing — gin, lime, velvet falernum, and butterfly pea flower.
Pricing: $16–$19; Spirit Flights at market price
Wine
A varietal-organized list with vintages and bottle prices from $44 to $2,740. Regions include Napa, Sonoma, Bordeaux, Tuscany, Piedmont, and Rioja. High-end bottles include large-format Penfolds Grange and multiple BOND Vecina vintages, alongside accessible $44 entries.
Menu strengths
- — Varietal-organized list carrying vintages and bottle prices across Napa, Sonoma, Bordeaux, Tuscany, Piedmont, and Rioja.
- — Price range from $44 to $2,740, with large-format and high-end bottles such as Penfolds Grange 1.5L 2017 and multiple BOND Vecina vintages.
Standout selections
- — Frog's Leap Zinfandel 2021 — Napa Valley zinfandel at $83.
- — Ridge Monte Bello 2016 — Santa Cruz Mountain red blend at $546.
- — Château Lynch-Bages 2020 — Pauillac Bordeaux at $408.
Pricing: $44–$2,740 per bottle
Spirits
A dedicated spirits menu page offers rotating Spirit Flights at market price.; Spirits-specific flight service with rotating offerings.; Dedicated spirits menu page on site.
Menu strengths
- — Spirits-specific flight service with rotating offerings.; Dedicated spirits menu page on site.
Standout selections
- — Spirit Flights — rotating offerings at market price; inquire for details.
Pricing: Market price
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