Cocktail bar
Unclaimed profileMercantile 1888
Collingswood, NJ · $$$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Mercantile 1888 is a zero-proof bar and retail store where craft non-alcoholic cocktails take center stage. The Elderflower Gimlet pairs Free Spirits Tequila with Giffard Elderflower NA Liqueur, while International Traveler layers housemade Earl Gray syrup and spiced cherry bitters. The retail side sells non-alcoholic spirits like Kava Haven and Lyre's Amaretti, plus kombucha. Customers note some zero-proof drinks are hard to distinguish from alcoholic versions.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Elderflower Gimlet, a non-alcoholic cocktail built on Free Spirits Tequila, Giffard Elderflower NA Liqueur, cucumber, lime, and green tea. For a deeper pour, the International Traveler combines Lyres Dark Cane, Free Spirit Vermouth, housemade aged Earl Gray turbinado simple, lemon, and spiced cherry bitters.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Anyone seeking sophisticated non-alcoholic cocktails or curious about zero-proof spirits will find a focused program. The retail selection also serves home mixologists looking to stock non-alcoholic spirits and mixers.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Retail bottles run $38 to $55 for non-alcoholic spirits; a 12-ounce kombucha is $6. The cocktail menu prices are not listed.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- Mercantile 1888 operates as both a bar and retail store entirely dedicated to zero-proof beverages, from craft cocktails to non-alcoholic spirits and mixers. The cocktail list shows real construction, with housemade syrups and layered non-alcoholic spirits.
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 features craft zero-proof drinks with detailed ingredient lists. Two named cocktails, Elderflower Gimlet and International Traveler, showcase layered non-alcoholic spirits and housemade components like aged Earl Gray turbinado simple.
Menu strengths
- — Cocktails are built with non-alcoholic spirits and housemade syrups, showing a deliberate craft approach.
- — The Elderflower Gimlet and International Traveler offer distinct flavor profiles with detailed ingredient descriptions.
Standout selections
- — Elderflower Gimlet: Free Spirits Tequila, Giffard Elderflower NA Liqueur, cucumber, lime, green tea.
- — International Traveler: Lyres Dark Cane, Free Spirit Vermouth, housemade aged Earl Gray turbinado simple, lemon, spiced cherry bitters.
Nonalcoholic
The non-alcoholic program extends beyond the bar into a retail store with a wide selection of spirits, mixers, and kombucha. The quality and authenticity, noting some drinks are hard to distinguish from alcoholic versions, and a spicy kombucha receives particular acclaim receives consistent praise.
Menu strengths
- — Retail selection includes non-alcoholic spirits like Kava Haven and Lyre's Amaretti, plus kombucha and a cocktail recipe book.
- — Customers report that some zero-proof drinks are nearly indistinguishable from alcoholic versions, and a spicy kombucha is singled out as possibly the best they've had.
Standout selections
- — Kava Haven Non-Alcoholic Spirit, $55.00, a kava-infused herbal supplement in 750 ml.
- — Lyre's Amaretti, $38.00, a non-alcoholic spirit with sweet, nutty amaretto flavors.
- — Baba's Bucha Kombucha, Bee's Knees 12 oz, $6.00.
- — Spicy Kombucha with chili peppers and cinnamon, praised by a customer.
Pricing: Retail spirits $38-$55; kombucha $6; cocktail book $19.95.
Spirits
The retail spirits selection focuses on non-alcoholic alternatives, with Kava Haven and Lyre's Amaretti as named options. These products serve as the building blocks for the bar's zero-proof cocktails.
Menu strengths
- — Offers a retail variety of non-alcoholic spirits, including Kava Haven and Lyre's Amaretti.
- — These spirits directly support the bar's cocktail program.
Standout selections
- — Kava Haven Non-Alcoholic Spirit, $55.00, a kava-infused spirit.
- — Lyre's Amaretti, $38.00, a non-alcoholic spirit with amaretto flavor.
Pricing: Kava Haven $55.00; Lyre's Amaretti $38.00.
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