Logan Square's Scofflaw puts gin front and center
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago's cocktail renaissance has focused quite a bit on bourbon and rum, but gin still doesn't quite get the same respect. But a Logan Square watering hole not only emphasizes gin; it borders on obsession.
On a typical weeknight, the bar at Scofflaw is filled with a mix of regulars and newcomers. The Logan Square bar is dedicated to the complete understanding and appreciation of gin.
"The definition of gin is usually just a neutral grain spirit that's infused with botanicals; predominantly just requires juniper," said bartender Meghan Konecny. "There's five main categories: your Genevers, Old Toms, London Drys, Plymouth and New Western styles, and from there, there's plenty of variation."
In a Martinez, a gateway to gin drinks, she combines an Old Tom - made exclusively for Scofflaw by North Shore Distillery - along with vermouth, Maraschino liqueur and orange bitters. She stirs with ice for gentle dilution, then serves the drink up along with a spritz of orange zest and an amarone cherry.
"Slightly sweeter, a little more floral and fruit-forward and also add a higher proof point," she said.
In her Improved Scofflaw Cocktail, she begins with St. George dry rye, a New Western gin, then builds it with Cocchi Americano, fresh lime juice and homemade grenadine. This one is shaken pretty vigorously, and then poured through a strainer.
"It's very different in that the base distillate is very rye-heavy. So it's gonna have a lot of characteristics you might find in rye whiskey versus bourbon or an Irish or what have you," said Konecny.
It's not all drinks at Scofflaw. There are hefty schnitzel sandwiches and bowls of freshly-made pasta, showered in kale and cheese, embedded with knobs of pork belly. All of the food is intended to go with a spirit that a lot of folks just haven't quite explored yet.
"Cocktails and gin and things like that I consider like music; just because it's not your jam doesn't mean it's not good. But you're always gonna find something," she said.
The bar also serves brunch on the weekends, beginning at noon.
Scofflaw
3201 W. Armitage Ave.
(773) 252-9700
