Restaurant
Unclaimed profileOn The Waterfront Restaurant
New London, CT · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The beverage program at On The Waterfront Restaurant leans heavily on cocktails, with a Signature Cocktails section of seven drinks like Hibiscus Mezcal and Lychee Mojito, plus eleven martinis and four frozen options. Wine, beer, nonalcoholic, and spirits lists are all present and priced clearly, from $9 house wines to a $100 tequila pour. The approach is broad rather than deep, but each category gets a workable range.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Hibiscus Mezcal, a $12 mix of 400 Conejos Mezcal, hibiscus simple syrup, lemon juice, and club soda. For a spirit-forward option, the Black Manhattan uses Bulleit Bourbon, Amaro, and Angostura Bitters at $16. If you prefer wine, the Vite Colte Gavi is $14 by the glass.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Anyone looking for a wide choice of cocktails, from sweet frozen drinks to classic martinis, will find plenty here. Wine drinkers have by-the-glass and bottle options across styles, and beer drinkers get local craft and domestic standards. The mocktail list makes it easy for non-drinkers to join.
- When should I go?
- Happy Hour offers discounted Margarita and Sangria, plus $1 off all beers. Wine Down Wednesday features half-priced bottles, premium wines excluded.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Signature cocktails are $12 each, martinis $16, frozen drinks $14, and mocktails $10. House wines are $9 per glass, with most other wines $12-$14 by the glass and $42-$67 per bottle. Beers range $5-$9, and spirits pours run from $9 for liqueurs to $100 for Clase Azul Anejo.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The cocktail list is unusually broad for a restaurant, spanning signature cocktails, two martini sections, and frozen drinks with optional floats. The spirits list includes a deep tequila selection with Blanco, Reposado, Anejo, and Mezcal, plus a focused Bourbon/Rye and Scotch range. Local craft beers like Whalers Rise APA and Outer Light Brewing Co. Lonesome Boatman add regional character.
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
A wide-ranging cocktail list with seven signature cocktails, eleven martinis across two sections, and four frozen drinks. Recipes name specific spirits and liqueurs, and Happy Hour discounts Margarita and Sangria. The breadth is the main strength, covering sweet, spirit-forward, and frozen styles.
Menu strengths
- — Seven signature cocktails priced $12-$16, including Hibiscus Mezcal, Lychee Mojito, and Aperol Spritz.
- — Eleven martinis at $16, from Lemon Lavender and Empress '75 to Black Manhattan and Espresso Martini.
- — Four frozen drinks at $14, with optional rum or caramel vodka floats for +$4.00.
Standout selections
- — Hibiscus Mezcal ($12): 400 Conejos Mezcal, hibiscus simple syrup, lemon juice, club soda.
- — Black Manhattan ($16): Bulleit Bourbon, Amaro, Angostura Bitters.
Pricing: Signature cocktails $12-$16; Martinis $16; Frozen Drinks $14; optional floats +$4.00
Wine
The wine list covers house, white, rosé, red, sparkling, and premium by-the-bottle categories. House wines are $9, with most other glasses $12-$14 and bottles $42-$67. Premium bottles include Champagne and Super Tuscan options at $75-$150. Wine Down Wednesday offers half-priced bottles, premium excluded.
Menu strengths
- — House wines at $9 each, including Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
- — White, rosé, and red wines available by the glass and bottle, generally $12-$14 per glass and $42-$67 per bottle.
- — Premium bottle list includes Champagne, Chablis, Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo, Super Tuscan, and Cabernet Sauvignon at $75-$150.
Standout selections
- — Villa Sandi Pinot Grigio, Italy — $12/Glass, $42/Bottle — White wine
- — Piper Heidsieck 'Cuvee Brut' Champagne ($110): premium wine by the bottle.
Pricing: House wines $9; most glasses $12-$14; bottles $42-$67; premium bottles $75-$150
Beer
A 17-item beer and cider list with local craft options like Whalers Rise APA and Outer Light Brewing Co. Lonesome Boatman, plus domestic standards, imports, a non-alcoholic beer, and cider. Prices range $5-$9, with most domestic bottles at $5-$6. Rotating beer specials are advertised, and Happy Hour offers $1 off all beers.
Menu strengths
- — 17 beers and ciders, including local craft options Whalers Rise APA and Outer Light Brewing Co. Lonesome Boatman.
- — Rotating beer specials are advertised, and Happy Hour offers $1 off all beers.
- — Beers range $5-$9, with most domestic bottles at $5-$6.
Standout selections
- — Whalers Rise APA ($7.75): local craft APA, 5.5% ABV.
- — Outer Light Brewing Co. Lonesome Boatman ($7): regional craft beer, 5.2% ABV.
Pricing: Beers $5-$9, most domestic bottles $5-$6; Happy Hour $1 off all beers
Nonalcoholic
A dedicated Mocktails section with five drinks at $10 each, including Lavendar Lemonade, Strawberry Mojito, Mocktail Mule, Rockstar Martini, and Cucumber Spritz. Heineken 0.0 Non-Alcoholic beer is available at $6, and frozen Pina Colada & Strawberry Daiquiri can be ordered without alcohol.
Menu strengths
- — Five mocktails at $10 each, with recipes using purees, herbs, and bitters.
- — Heineken 0.0 Non-Alcoholic beer at $6.; Frozen Pina Colada & Strawberry Daiquiri available with or without alcohol.
Standout selections
- — Lavendar Lemonade ($10): lavender simple syrup, lemon juice, lemonade, soda.
- — Strawberry Mojito ($10): strawberry puree, simple syrup, club soda, mint.
Pricing: Mocktails $10 each; Heineken 0.0 $6
Spirits
The spirits list includes multiple tequila expressions (Blanco, Reposado, Anejo, Mezcal), a Bourbon/Rye range, Scotch from Speyside, Highlands, and Islay, and liqueurs like Fernet, Limoncello, and Ruby Porto. Pours are individually priced, from $9 liqueurs to a $100 Clase Azul Anejo.
Menu strengths
- — Tequila list spans Blanco, Reposado, Anejo, and Mezcal, with pours from $12 to $100.
- — Bourbon/Rye options include Bulleit, Woodford Reserve, Maker's Mark, Knob Creek, Basil Hayden, and Jefferson's Ocean Aged.
- — Scotch list includes Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, The Macallan 12 Sherry Cask, and Laphroig 10 Year.
Standout selections
- — Don Julio 1942 ($42): Tequila Anejo.; The Macallan 12 Year Sherry Cask ($28): Scotch, Highlands.
- — Clase Azul Tequila Blanco — $33 — Tequila Blanco
Pricing: Tequila $12-$100; Bourbon/Rye $10-$21; Scotch $14-$28; Liqueurs $9
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