Luscious summer produce becomes lushes' delight in the hands of local mixologists
BERRY Cyclist Rogue at Lord Hobo Nestled on an unassuming street corner halfway between Kendall and Inman squares, Lord Hobo reigns supreme with summertime beer cocktail the CYCLIST ROGUE ($10). Labeled as a "raspberry shandy" on the menu (and partly deriving its name from a Bavarian shandy variation called the "Radler," meaning "cyclist"), the Cyclist Rogue's base consists of Hangar One raspberry-infused vodka, St. Germain, Chartreuse, and Peychaud's Bitters. Honey syrup and lemon juice provide enough sweetness to round out the sharper liquor and herb flavors, and a top-off of lager brings the glass to a head. The exact type of beer used in the Cyclist Rogue will vary depending what's on tap to best suit the drink, but Lord Hobo's goal is to use a mellower lager without many distracting hop notes, like a pilsner (for this review, the bartender employed Victory's exceptional Braumeister Harvest Pils). The end result is a masterfully tempered and balanced beer cocktail. A summertime original, the Cyclist Rogue does a damn fine job of satisfying the craft-beer-and-cocktail palate.
Neil Patch
[Lord Hobo, 92 Hampshire St, Cambridge | 617.250.8454 | lordhobo.com]
ALSO TRY: Blackberry Apple Julep (Maker's Mark muddled with blackberries, apple, and mint) at KO PRIME; Shanghai Street Sangria (plum sake, Lillet Rouge, Bacardi Dragon Berry, Ciroc Red Berry, fresh fruit, and Hennessy Black) at RED LANTERN; Hits of Sunshine (elderflower liqueur, raspberry purée, and sparkling wine) at UPSTAIRS ON THE SQUARE.
>>READ: "A beginner's guide to the city's best heat-beating drinks," by Cassandra Landry<<
