I have a news flash for you: Red Prime Steak is home to much more than juicy cuts of meats and scarlet tubular light fixtures. I’ll even admit it: If I’m with a group friends and am jonesing for a cocktail, Red Prime typically wouldn’t be the first place that pops into mind. Because, let’s face it, this place is better than the likes of loud inebriated white girls and guys who order Cokes with well whiskey. There’s no pool, no darts, no grungey live bands, and definitely no drink/shot specials.
But, if we’re being honest, isn’t all of that a good thing sometimes? Red Prime is where you go to loosen your tie, let your heels slip off your feet just a bit, and kick back to rehash the day’s crazy client meeting or complain about that looming deadline. There are plenty of other places in town to get faded, as the kids say, but Red Prime is where you go to savor a great drink in great company.
I got to sample some drinks on a sizzling Monday afternoon before the restaurant opened, the only things on my mind being escaping from the heat and getting a top-notch libation in my system. Before I could even sit down, the liqueurs, liquors, fruit slices, and ice cubes were flying. Bartender Barrett and Good Egg guru Kellen hooked me up with what were, admittedly, three of the most refreshing summertime adult beverages I’ve ever had, each packed with tang and zest (and every other applicable adjective), and just the perfect amount of kick.
First up was the Red Mojito, described as a take on a classic Old Fashioned (right up my alley) that has been around practically since the birth of Red Prime itself. Made with black cherry-infused rum, lime juice, simple syrup, and muddled mint, the contents are then introduced to Angostura bitters to offset the cocktail’s sweetness. Rum usually makes me gag at its mere mention, but this is a mojito I could drink again and again — in fact, I returned the next night for round two.
After that was the Cucumber Cooler, a kickass variation on the classic gin and tonic. This one turned things up a notch with the addition of muddled cucumber and Aperol (an Italian aperitif made with bitter orange, rhubarb, and other ingredients), giving the drink a tart, grapefruit-ish flavor. I’m not a big fan of sweet drinks, so this one really did it for me. Gin and cucumber are a match made in heaven.
Last but not least was the Premier, a flawless version of a strawberry margarita. Packed with puréed strawberries, Hornitos tequila, and Amaro Ramazzotti liquer, this one was served in a smaller glass than most margaritas, resulting in a punch of concentrated flavor that definitely does the body good.
While the drinks’ exact proportions weren’t revealed (you can’t blame the folks at Red Prime for wanting to maintain an air of mystery), I can tell you that they were damn good and worth the attempt at concoction. So give it a whirl and a taste test or three.
Red Mojito
Black Cherry Rum (Bacardi Torched Cherry would work)
Lime juice
Simple syrup
Muddled mint
Angostura bitters
Cucumber Cooler
Tanqueray gin
Aperol liquer
Muddled cucumber
Top with tonic water
Cucumber garnish
Premier
Hornitos tequila
Amaro Ramazzotti liquer
Puréed strawberries
