Restaurant
Unclaimed profileThe Blue Duck Bar & Kitchen
New London, CT · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The Blue Duck Bar & Kitchen runs a beverage program with clear range: eight signature cocktails priced $14–$15, a $60 Clase Azul Reposado pour, and a happy hour that drops well cocktails to $6. Draft beer covers lager through sour, with pitchers $20–$30. A dedicated Zero ABV cocktail section lists four drinks at $9, and the spirits list spans bourbon, Scotch, tequila, and more, including allocated bottles. Wine moves across sparkling, white, rosé, and red by glass or bottle. It is a broad, well-priced list rather than a specialist's deep dive.
- What should I order?
- Start with a signature cocktail such as The Perfect Match, made with El Jimador Blanco Tequila, Dragonberry Syrup, Agave Syrup, and Lime Juice. For a nonalcoholic option, the No Aperol Spritz uses Mionetto Zero Proof Aperitivo and Zonin Non Alcohol Prosecco. A draft Thomas Hooker Blue Duck Lager is the easy beer order.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Groups who want a single list that covers cocktails, draft beer, wine, and zero-proof drinks without compromise. Bourbon and Scotch drinkers will find familiar and premium labels, and anyone skipping alcohol gets a real menu rather than a token soda.
- When should I go?
- Happy hour is the value window, with well cocktails at $6, house wines at $5, and all drafts $2 off. The regular signature cocktail and Zero ABV menus are available beyond that.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Signature cocktails are $14–$15, with the Yuzu Doin The Most at $60. Draft beer runs $6–$12, pitchers $20–$30. Zero ABV cocktails are $9, nonalcoholic beer $6, and NA Prosecco $7. Wine is available by the glass or bottle.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- A dedicated Zero ABV cocktail menu with four drinks and several zero-proof spirits for substitutions sits alongside a full bar list that includes Clase Azul Reposado, Don Julio 1942, and MacCallan 18. The program treats nonalcoholic drinking as its own category rather than an afterthought.
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
Eight signature cocktails priced $14–$15, plus a $60 Clase Azul Reposado drink. The list spans tequila, mezcal, rum, vodka, and Prosecco with named brands, and happy hour adds well drinks at $6 and classics at $8–$10. A compact but well-specified program.
Menu strengths
- — Named spirit brands across tequila, mezcal, rum, vodka, and Prosecco give the list specificity.
- — Happy hour pricing drops well cocktails to $6 and classics like the Old Fashioned and Margarita to $8–$10.
Standout selections
- — The Perfect Match — $15 — El Jimador Blanco Tequila, Dragonberry Syrup, Agave Syrup, and Lime Juice.
- — Yuzu Doin The Most — $60 — Clase Azul Reposado with fresh lime, yuzu, and a Himalayan pink salt rim.
Pricing: $14–$15; Yuzu Doin The Most $60; happy hour well cocktails $6, classics $8–$10
Wine
Sparkling, white, rosé, and red selections by the glass or bottle, drawing from multiple countries. House wines are $5 at happy hour, and Luc Belaire Rare Artists Series Rose is listed at $90. The named bottles lean approachable rather than deep.
Menu strengths
- — Multiple countries and styles are represented across sparkling, white, rosé, and red.
- — House wines at $5 during happy hour make by-the-glass drinking easy.
Standout selections
- — Squealing Pig Sauvignon Blanc — New Zealand.; Kung Fu Girl Riesling — Washington.
- — Squealing Pig Sauvignon Blanc — New Zealand.; Luna Nuda Pinot Grigio — Italy.
Pricing: By the glass or bottle; house wines $5 during happy hour; Luc Belaire Rare Artists Series Rose $90
Beer
Draft and packaged beer spans lagers, pilsners, stouts, IPAs, Belgian white ale, and light lagers, with local and craft options. Drafts run $6–$12 and pitchers $20–$30. Happy hour takes $2 off all drafts and prices Samuel Adams Lager or Seasonal at $4.
Menu strengths
- — Draft range covers lager, pilsner, stout, IPA, and sour, with local names like Thomas Hooker and Outer Light.
- — Happy hour $2 off all drafts and $4 Samuel Adams Lager or Seasonal adds value.
Standout selections
- — Thomas Hooker Blue Duck Lager — $6; pitcher $20.
- — Funk Daddy Greater Good Brewery Sour Ale — $12 — 8% ABV.
Pricing: Draft $6–$12; pitchers $20–$30; happy hour all drafts $2 off, Samuel Adams Lager or Seasonal $4
Nonalcoholic
A dedicated Zero ABV cocktail section lists four drinks at $9 each, using Ritual zero-proof spirits and a Mionetto Zero Proof Aperitivo. Nonalcoholic beer and wine include Samuel Adams Just the Haze NA, Corona NA, and Zonin NA Prosecco. The menu states several Zero ABV spirits are carried for cocktail substitutions.
Menu strengths
- — Four dedicated Zero ABV cocktails at $9 each, built with Ritual zero-proof spirits.
- — Zero-proof spirits are stocked for substitutions, and NA beer, wine, sodas, and Cold Brew round out the list.
Standout selections
- — No Aperol Spritz — $9 — Mionetto Zero Proof Aperitivo, Zonin Non Alcohol Prosecco, orange slice.
- — Strawberry Fields Forever — $9 — Ritual Zero ABV 'Tequila', strawberry syrup, orgeat, basil, club soda.
Pricing: Zero ABV cocktails $9; NA beer $6; NA Prosecco $7; sodas $4–$6; Cold Brew $7
Spirits
The spirits list spans vodka, gin, rum, cognac, tequila, mezcal, pisco, whiskey, Irish whiskey, bourbon, and Scotch. Bourbon includes Whistle Pig and Woodford Reserve, Scotch reaches MacCallan 18 and Johnny Walker Blue, and tequila carries Clase Azul Reposado and Don Julio 1942.
Menu strengths
- — Breadth across major categories including bourbon, Scotch, tequila, mezcal, cognac, and gin.
- — Premium and allocated bottles such as Clase Azul Reposado, Don Julio 1942, and MacCallan 18.
Standout selections
- — Don Julio 1942 — listed under Tequila.; MacCallan 18 — listed under Scotch (single malt).
- — Clase Azul Reposado — Listed under Tequila.; Don Julio 1942 — Listed under Tequila.
Pricing: Not fully specified; includes premium and allocated bottles
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