Paper Crane Ramen Shop & Cocktail Lounge

Iowa City, IA

Inebrious

Beverage Program Score

Research completed 2026-09-23 · Based on current public sources

Editor: Micah Rousey

Review methodology and evidence standards

The editorial take

The cocktail lounge at Paper Crane Ramen Shop & Cocktail Lounge lists six house cocktails with specific spirit and modifier ingredients, priced at $13 to $15. The drinks lean on infused spirits and layered modifiers: Thai tea infused vodka with creme de cacao, chambord, and coconut milk in the Bow Thai; raspberry tea infused gin with chamberyzette and benedictine in the Illicium Flora. The lounge describes this as a curated selection of craft cocktails served in a dimly lit, intimate setting. The list is compact and ingredient-forward rather than sprawling.

What should I order?: Start with the Monkey Barrel, a $15 mix of bourbon, banana liqueur, and amarena cherry, or the Floor Show at $15 with Basil Hayden, amaretto, and Luxardo maraschino. For a lower-priced pour, the Illicium Flora is $13 with raspberry tea infused gin, chamberyzette, and benedictine. The Bow Thai at $14 brings Thai tea infused vodka, creme de cacao, chambord, and coconut milk.
Who will enjoy this place?: The infused-spirit approach in the Bow Thai and Illicium Flora suits those curious about tea-based cocktail ingredients. The described dimly lit, intimate setting fits a focused cocktail stop.
When should I go?: The lounge describes a dimly lit, intimate setting, which suits an evening cocktail visit. The packet supports no further timing detail.
What should I expect to spend?: House cocktails are priced at $13 to $15. The Illicium Flora is listed at $13, the Bow Thai at $14, and the Monkey Barrel, Floor Show, Parting Gift, and Jalapeno Business at $15.
What makes the beverage program distinctive?: The list distinguishes itself with tea-infused spirits: Thai tea infused vodka anchors the Bow Thai, and raspberry tea infused gin anchors the Illicium Flora.

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

Six house cocktails are listed with specific spirit and modifier ingredients, priced $13 to $15. The lounge describes a curated selection of craft cocktails served in a dimly lit, intimate setting. The list includes tea-infused spirits and named modifiers across bourbon, gin, tequila, and vodka bases.

Menu strengths

— Six named house cocktails with specific spirit and modifier ingredients are listed.
— The lounge describes a curated selection of craft cocktails served in a dimly lit, intimate setting.

Standout selections

— Monkey Barrel — $15 — Bourbon, banana liqueur, amarena cherry
— Floor Show — $15 — Basil Hayden, amaretto, Luxardo maraschino
— Bow Thai — $14 — Thai tea infused vodka, creme de cacao, chambord, coconut milk
— Illicium Flora — $13 — Raspberry tea infused gin, chamberyzette, benedictine

Pricing: House cocktails $13–$15

About this review

Research is based on recent public evidence, including official venue materials and beverage menus when available. The review date is the research completion date and does not imply an in-person visit.

Review methodology and evidence standards

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