Cocktail bar
Unclaimed profileThe Graceful Ordinary
St. Charles, IL · $$$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The Graceful Ordinary runs a cocktail program that changes weekly and leans into house-made ingredients, with a lineup spanning low-ABV and zero-proof options. A wine list anchored by a dedicated wine director reaches from $40 Cava to $350 Grand Siècle. Local beer and CBD sodas round out a program that takes its drinks seriously.
- What should I order?
- Order the Terpsichore for its Mediterranean gin and red bell pepper depth, or the Look Hot, Be Cool for a rum-forward tropical. For something lighter, the Maurin Quina Spritz is a low-ABV aperitivo. Non-alcoholic drinkers should try the Light Your Light with its chai-spiced hibiscus soda.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts seeking creative, seasonally rotating drinks will find plenty to explore. Wine lovers will appreciate the international bottle list, especially the grower Champagne selections. The non-alcoholic and low-ABV options make it welcoming for designated drivers or those moderating intake.
- When should I go?
- Evenings suit the full cocktail and wine experience. Brunch brings specialty drinks like Bloody Marys and Bellinis, plus bottomless tableside mimosas, so a late-morning visit works for a more indulgent occasion.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails are priced around $17 each, with wine bottles ranging from $40 to $350. A beer runs $8, and the CBD shrub soda is $6. Expect a moderate-to-premium spend depending on how deep you go into the wine list.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The menu changes weekly, keeping the cocktail list in constant rotation. A dedicated wine director curates a list that spans Spain, Italy, France, and beyond, while the inclusion of CBD-infused soda and N/A spirits shows a thoughtful approach to all 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
Creative, ever-changing cocktail menu with house-made ingredients, low-ABV and non-alcoholic options.
Menu strengths
- — Extensive and creative cocktail menu with seasonal rotation.
Standout selections
- — Terpsichore: Gin Mare Mediterranean, red bell pepper, Aveze Gentian Liqueur.
- — Look Hot, Be Cool: Worthy Park Jamaican Rum 109, St. James Agricole Rhum Blanc, guava, white cacao, citrus.
- — Dip in the Backyard Kiddie Pool: Bayab African rose gin, kiwi, lime, butterfly pea flower tea.
Pricing: One cocktail (Pastorale) listed at $17.
Wine
Diverse international wine list including sparkling, white, red, and rosé, with a dedicated wine director. Bottle prices span from accessible to premium.
Menu strengths
- — Broad wine selection with international offerings.; Dedicated wine director on staff.
Standout selections
- — Pertois-Moriset 'L’Assemblage' Champagne at $120 a bottle.
- — Laurent-Perrier 'Grand Siecle' at $350 a bottle.
- — Can Sumoi 'La Rosa' from Penedes at $50 a bottle.
Pricing: Wine bottles range from $40 to $350.
Beer
Small but local-focused beer selection with seasonal rotations, including offerings from Penrose Brewing. Limited visible menu.
Standout selections
- — Lemon Seltz-Ups from Penrose Brewing, 6% ABV, $8.
Pricing: Lemon Seltz-Ups priced at $8.
Nonalcoholic
Robust non-alcoholic program with N/A spirits, CBD-infused soda, and creative alcohol-free cocktails. Offers more than a typical soda or juice.
Menu strengths
- — Offers a variety of non-alcoholic options including N/A spirits.
Standout selections
- — Light Your Light: Livener N/A spirit, pomegranate, lime, chai spice, hibiscus ginger soda.
- — Swirl and Sparkle: Ghia N/A spirit, Fevertree Sicilian sparkling lemonade.
- — CBD Shrub Soda: 30mg organic CBD, non-alcoholic, $6.
Pricing: CBD Shrub Soda priced at $6.
Spirits
Wide range of spirits used across the cocktail menu, including bourbon, rum, tequila, mezcal, and fernet. No dedicated spirits list, but the selection is evident in the cocktail program.
Standout selections
- — Having a Moment: Still Austin Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey, honey, Hojicha syrup, grapefruit bitters.
- — Bustelo Fuego: Overproof Angostura Rum, Licor 43, Cold Brew, Cream.
Pricing: No dedicated spirits pricing available; spirits featured in cocktails.
How it sits with the food
The cocktail program's house-made syrups and fruit-forward profiles pair well with light, fresh fare. The wine list's sparkling options, like Cava and Prosecco, suit brunch dishes, while the rosé and lighter reds can handle a range of appetizers. No specific food pairings are documented.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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