Cocktail bar
Unclaimed profileThe Copper Dram
Greenville, DE · $$$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The Copper Dram presents a 42-cocktail menu split between 12 specialty creations at $12 and 30 classics at $10, with historical dates for each classic. The specialty list leans into theatrical touches like bacon fat and cherry wood smoke. A 20-option wine-by-the-glass program and a rotating draft list round out the bar.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Smoking Barrels, which layers barrel-aged gin, Averna, burnt honey, and cherry wood smoke. For a classic, the Sazerac or Penicillin offers a historical benchmark. The Conner the Destroyer brings rye and peated whiskey into a bacon-fat-smoked blend for a bold choice.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts who appreciate a wide range of styles and historical context will find much to explore. Those who enjoy smoky, adventurous flavors will be drawn to the specialty menu. Classic cocktail purists will appreciate the dated classics, and beer drinkers have a rotating draft selection to consider.
- When should I go?
- Anytime the bar is open, but especially for a leisurely evening exploring the cocktail list. The rotating draft beers suggest repeat visits to catch new taps. No specific day or time is supported by evidence.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Specialty cocktails are $12 each; classic cocktails are $10 each. Wines by the glass range from $7 to $10. Draft beers are $3 to $9 per serving, and bottled/canned beers are $3 to $6.50.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The dual cocktail menu offers both dated classics and house specialties with unusual ingredients like walnut cordial, passionfruit cordial, and cherry wood smoke. The historical span of classics from c.1800 to c.2005 adds an educational angle. The beer menu is served at The Copperhead Saloon, suggesting a distinct sub-area.
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 42-cocktail program with 12 specialties and 30 classics, each classic dated from c.1800 to c.2005. Specialty creations use bold ingredients like bacon fat smoke and cherry wood smoke.
Menu strengths
- — Extensive menu with both original and classic cocktails, offering broad appeal.
- — Historical dates on classics provide context and showcase cocktail evolution.
- — Specialty cocktails use inventive ingredients like walnut cordial and passionfruit cordial.
Standout selections
- — Conner the Destroyer: Crater Lake Oregon Rye, High West Campfire Whiskey, walnut cordial, maple & brown sugar syrup, cherry bark bitters, bacon fat smoke.
- — Southpaw Scofflaw: Johnny Drum Bourbon, Crater Lake Oregon Rye, Dolin Chambrey Vermouth, passionfruit cordial, egg whites, orange bitters.
- — Smoking Barrels: Absaroka Barrel Aged Gin, Averna Amoro, burnt honey & fig syrup, lemon, cherry wood smoke.
- — Classic Sazerac: rye, simple, Peychaud's bitters.
Pricing: Specialty cocktails $12; classic cocktails $10.
Wine
A 20-wine by-the-glass list covering white, red, sparkling, and rosé from multiple countries. Prices are moderate, with selections like Picpoul De Pinet and Catena Reserva Malbec. No bottle list or deeper wine program details are available.
Menu strengths
- — Diverse international selection including French, Italian, California, Argentine, Australian, and New Zealand wines.
- — Affordable price points for by-the-glass, with most options under $10.
Standout selections
- — Catena Reserva Malbec: Argentine red, $9.5.
- — Sophora Sparkling Rosé: New Zealand sparkling rosé, $9.5.
- — Picpoul De Pinet: French white, $7.5.
Pricing: Wines by the glass range from $7 to $10.
Beer
A beer menu with 12 rotating drafts and 17 bottled/canned options. Draft list includes Victory Golden Monkey and Stone Arrogant Bastard; bottles include Coors Light and Guinness. The draft list is explicitly not up to date.
Menu strengths
- — Rotating draft selection offers variety across styles including IPA, stout, saison, and cider.
- — Reasonable price points, especially for bottled/canned options starting at $3.
Standout selections
- — Victory Golden Monkey: draft, 9.5% ABV, $6/12 oz.
- — Stone Arrogant Bastard: draft, 7.2% ABV, $6/16 oz.
- — Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA: draft, 6% ABV, $6/12 oz.
Pricing: Draft beers $3-$9 per serving; bottled/canned $3-$6.50.
Spirits
The cocktail menus utilize a wide range of spirits, from rye and bourbon to gin, mezcal, rum, aquavit, and sake in specialties, and a broader set including calvados, pisco, and tequila in classics. This demonstrates a strong spirits focus, though no standalone spirits list exists.
Menu strengths
- — Extensive use of diverse spirits across both menus, indicating a well-stocked bar.
- — Classic cocktails incorporate less common spirits like genever, old tom, and calvados.
Standout selections
- — Specialty cocktails feature spirits like Crater Lake Oregon Rye and High West Campfire Whiskey.
- — Classic cocktails include genever, old tom, and calvados, showcasing historical breadth.
Pricing: No dedicated spirits pricing available; spirits appear as cocktail ingredients.
How it sits with the food
No food menu was found, so pairings are speculative. However, the smoky, bourbon-forward specialty cocktails could complement grilled meats, while the lighter classics like the Penicillin might suit spicy dishes. The wine list's international range offers options for various palates.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
Community reviews
Anyone with a free Inebrious account can rate the drinks here. Community ratings are kept entirely separate from the Inebrious editorial score above.
No community reviews yet. Be the first to write one.