Most of us have our drink with dinner, but what if the drink was the dinner? Although the protein is usually an integral part of the main course, some of the nation’s top mixologists are creating some rather meaty cocktails.

“De La Merce”
Mercat a la Planxa
638 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL
(312) 765-0524

Hours:
7 a.m. - 2 a.m. (Daily)

At this Chicago hot-spot, the Bloody Mary gets a meaty make-over. The De la Merce is a combination of pepper-infused vodka, Bloody Mary mix, lemon juice, Sherry and Guinness garnished with a jumbo prawn wrapped in Serrano ham, white Spanish anchovies, dried pork tenderloin and a stuffed green olive.

“Chorizo Vodka Sour”
La Fonda Del Sol
E.44th Street and Vanderbilt Avenue
New York, NY
(212) 867-6767

Hours:
11:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. (Mon - Sat)

This Midtown tapas spot features mixologist Santiago Pesantez’s Chorizo Vodka Sour, a concoction so meaty that it might as well be an aperitif. Composed with chorizo infused Grey Goose, orange vodka, a shot of rum, simple syrup and an egg white, the smoky, yet sweet concoction is served in a martini glass rimmed with pimento powder and garnished with a piece of chorizo. 

“Wingin’ It”
Comme Ça
8479 Melrose Avenue
West Hollywood, CA
(323) 782-1104

Hours:
11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. (Mon - Thurs)
11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., 5 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. (Fri)
9 a.m. - 3 p.m., 5 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. (Sat)
9 a.m. - 3 p.m., 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. (Sun)

At Comme Ça you won’t find Buffalo wings in the appetizer section of the menu, but you will find it on the drink menu. Mixologist Eugene Shaw has created a liquid version of this all American favorite. The drink is a unique blend of tequila, chicken stock, lime juice, carrot juice, bloody mary mix, ginger syrup and Tabasco poured over ice and topped with gorgonzola stuffed celery stalk.

“Bring Home the Bacon”
Sirio Ristorante
3730 Las Vegas Boulevard S.
Las Vegas, NV
(877) 230-2742
Hours:
11 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. (Daily)

One Las Vegas mixologist, Heidi Hinkle, has given new meaning to the term “bringing home the bacon” with the $14 bacon infused cocktail at Sirio Ristorante at the Aria Resort and Casino. The drink, made with tomato vodka, beef bouillon and Worcestershire sauce, is served in a chilled cocktail glass and garnished with an olive trio that includes a deep-fried bacon-wrapped olive, a prosciutto-stuffed olive and a cream-cheese-and-bacon-stuffed-olive.

“Smoky Sour”
Living Room
W Hotel
2201 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL
(305) 938-3000

Hours:
11:30 a.m. - 12 a.m. (Sun - Wed)
11:30 a.m. - 2 a.m. (Thurs - Sat)

At the W Hotel in South Beach, mixologist Gabriel Orta is shaking things up with the Smoky Sour. The bacon infused cachaça is blended with blackberry jam and lemon juice, then topped with a rosemary sprig and two fresh blackberries.