Cocktail Bar
Unclaimed profileMox Boarding House
Portland, OR · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Mox Boarding House brings a Parisian-inspired cocktail program to with a wide range of house drinks from $15 to $17. The list leans creative—think Cognac with hibiscus tea or gin with sparkling yuzu sake. Zero-proof options are equally considered, priced $12 to $14. The bar also pours local beers and wines, with 24 taps on offer.
- What should I order?
- Start with Grammont's Corsair ($16), a Cognac-based mix of Velvet Falernum, pineapple, passionfruit, hibiscus tea, and Angostura bitters. For a lighter, botanical sip, the Floating Botanist ($17) pairs Uncle Val's gin with Lillet Blanc and sparkling yuzu sake. If skipping alcohol, the Tangle & Brass ($14) layers Ritual whiskey with strawberry and ginger beer.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail drinkers who appreciate creative, well-described drinks will find a broad list to explore. The zero-proof menu is substantial enough to satisfy those abstaining, and the local beer and wine options offer alternatives for more straightforward palates.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The cocktail menu stands out for its creative ingredient pairings, such as the Close at Hand with makrut lime and mochi rice-infused Toki whiskey, and the Cosmic Indecency with lavender vodka and crème de violette. The bar also balances its program with a dedicated zero-proof list, showing attention to non-drinkers.
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 house cocktail list is extensive and creative, with eight named drinks spanning Cognac, gin, whiskey, vodka, tequila, rum, and mezcal bases. Prices run $15–$17, and zero-proof options are also available. The Parisian-inspired theme shows in thoughtful, layered recipes.
Menu strengths
- — Eight distinct house cocktails with detailed descriptions, showing a serious approach to drink construction.
- — Balanced price range of $15–$17 across the list, making the program approachable.
- — Creative use of ingredients like hibiscus tea, yuzu sake, and coconut pandan syrup.
Standout selections
- — Grammont's Corsair ($16) – Cognac, Velvet Falernum, pineapple, passionfruit, hibiscus tea, and Angostura bitters.
- — Floating Botanist ($17) – Uncle Val's gin with Lillet Blanc, cucumber vermouth, lime, and sparkling yuzu sake.
- — Close at Hand ($17) – Toki whiskey infused with makrut lime and mochi rice, calamansi, and coconut pandan syrup.
Pricing: $15–$17
Wine
This is a supporting category rather than a focus.; Local craft wines and meads are featured, adding regional character.
Menu strengths
- — Local craft wines and meads are featured, adding regional character.
- — The overall beverage list is extensive, with over 100 types of liquor and bottled/canned options.
Standout selections
- — Menu mentions 'DRAFTS, LIQUOR, AND OTHER LIBATIONS' with over 100 types of liquor, 24 taps, and bottled/canned product.
Beer
Beer drinkers can choose from 24 taps and a selection of local craft beers and ciders. The focus on local producers gives the beer program a Pacific Northwest identity. Specific taps are not named, but the breadth is clear.
Menu strengths
- — 24 taps provide ample variety for beer enthusiasts.
- — Emphasis on local craft beers and ciders supports the regional theme.
Standout selections
- — Menu mentions 24 taps and local craft beer.
Nonalcoholic
The zero-proof cocktail menu is a strong point, with at least three named drinks priced $12–$14. These are not afterthoughts; they use complex ingredients like Ritual whiskey, basil, and green tea tonic to mirror the regular cocktail program's ambition.
Menu strengths
- — Dedicated zero-proof cocktail menu with three detailed options.
- — Reasonable pricing at $12–$14, lower than the alcoholic cocktails.
- — Creative non-alcoholic recipes featuring Ritual spirits, house tonics, and fresh herbs.
Standout selections
- — Tangle & Brass ($14) – Ritual whiskey with lemon-basil lavender tonic, strawberry puree, ginger beer, and fresh basil.
- — Swan Lake Tea ($12) – Peach-rhubarb green tea tonic with peach puree, lemon, and green tea syrup.
- — Sonoran Dove ($14) – Ritual tequila with grapefruit-mint rosemary tonic, grapefruit juice, and mint syrup.
Pricing: $12–$14
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