7. Portland

Photo Credit: Hoke Harden

Portland has been given a beating in recent years for being elitist when it comes craft cocktails. People love to pick on the hippie-turned-trendy city, but where there’s smoke, there’s fire and Teardrop Cocktail Lounge is one reason why the cocktail envy is not only justified, but well-deserved. Located in the Pearl District Teardrop’s mission is “to help revive the lost art of mixing drinks, striving for balance in every glass.” And to that, they hold true. Each day mixers are crafted by hand from the syrups and digestifs to bitters and tinctures. They are quite simply breaking new ground in the art of the cocktail. Using only local produce, natural sugars, and seasonal ingredients, mixologists take pride in the finished product that exudes individuality and character, with an unabashed dare to be different. Try the ‘Morning Glory Fizz,’ made of Black Grouse, Ardbeg Scotch, Herbasainc, lemon lime sugar, egg whites, creole bitters, and soda. (1015 NW Everett St., Portland, OR 97209, 503-445-8109)

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