For 13 years, downtown diners and theatergoers have flocked to Hartford’s Bin228, a cozy and classy wine bar with panini, small plates and cheese and charcuterie. Now it has a brand-new gastropub sibling in Glastonbury, which opened in April.
Glastonbury’s larger space and full kitchen allows for expanded food offerings, and while the wine list is still lengthy and eclectic, its new focus is draft beer, with 18 taps featuring local, regional and national craft selections. Cocktails, or “alternative bevs,” include an array of martinis and punches.
Light and fruity libations, like the signature Bin228 Martini with housemade limoncello and prosecco; Pearl Street with citrus vodka, peach liqueur, pineapple and cranberry and the Strawberry Fields with Botanist gin, fresh lime, strawberries and basil are ideal summer sippers — perfect for the gastropub’s sunny patio. The St. Croix Rhum Punch with amaretto, orange, guava and pineapple, is inspired by owner Alicia Roncari’s travels and is finished off with a bit of grated nutmeg.
Blackberry pops up on the menu twice, first as the fruit puree in a Black Mojito with Kraken black rum and then in a flavored simple syrup in a unique Manhattan. The Café Martini, a classic fresh-brewed espresso martini with vanilla vodka, gets a spicy twist from Ancho Reyes chili liqueur. Cocktails are $9 to $12.
Read more about Bin228 here.
>>E-mail Leeanne Griffin (lgriffin@courant.com) or Suzie Hunter (smhunter@courant.com) with your favorite Connecticut cocktail destination or your favorite bartender, and find more cocktail destinations at ctnow.com/liquorcabinet.
