If you haven’t yet heard, Target stores are about to become even more addictive: they’re going to be serving booze.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the company applied for a Consumption on Premises Incidental Activity liquor license in late August for its store near the Chicago Navy Pier. That type of license is usually granted to restaurants, theaters, hotel bars and other businesses that sell liquor as a secondary activity to their main business. It basically means that Target wants to have an in-store bar, to which we ask, “What took you so long?”
While Target store officials have been pretty mum about the details that’s not keeping us from wildly speculating about the particulars (like will the bartenders have to wear Target red?). In case anyone from the Target stores is paying attention, we envision more of a mixology vibe with a menu of classic and prohibition era cocktails. Sure, there will beer and wine too, but the emphasis should be on the cocktail. Maybe a whole menu of variations of Manhattans, which are truly having a moment right now.
Of course, everyone is wondering if this in-store bar concept works out (it certainly has for Whole Foods, which serves beer and wine in many of its locations) will it spread to other Target stores? We can only wait and see, but in the meantime here are a sampling of some of the classic cocktails with a modern twist that we’d like to see on the menu:
Image: Bottles at Bar / Shutterstock.com
Rob Roy Manhattan – A Manhattan is a cocktail made from whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. Manhattans are très popular now, but instead of the ubiquitous citrus variations Target store should serve a variation called a Rob Roy. It’s made with scotch instead of bourbon or rye, which lends a delicious smokiness that pairs well with the sweet of the vermouth and the bitters.
Moonshine Moscow Mule – A Moscow Mule is usually made with spicy ginger beer, lime, and vodka, but since moonshine is on trend this year, consider substituting moonshine instead. Now this isn’t your illegal prohibition era “make you go blind” moonshine, but small batch distilled white spirits that offer lots of tasty variations.
Gin and Tonic with Bitters – Gin and tonics are pretty straightforward–they are made with gin, tonic and either lemon or lime–but adding bitters gives them an edge. Of course, you could also use a new-style gin like the Bluecoat Barrel Finished Gin brewed in Philadelphia to kick it up a notch.
French 77 – And because who doens’t want to have a sparkling wine cocktail while shopping on a Sunday morning? We recommend the French 77. You may have heard of the French 75, which is made with gin, sparkling wine, lemon juice, and simple syrup. The French 77 is nothing more than a variation of that, but it’s made with St. Germain elderberry flower liqueur instead of gin. Tasty.
Related on Organic Authority
Target Stores Shift Focus: Less Processed Food Brands, More ‘Healthy’ Options
Top Image: artzenter /Shutterstock.com
"We often receive complimentary products to review at Organic Authority. Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team."