Mercato Italian Kitchen Opens in Canton: Cocktail Highlight with Bianca Giuliano

Mercato Italian Kitchen is a new favorite spot for inspired beverages, and they are newly open in the Farmington Valley serving drinks that are more fire than their pizza ovens (which both have names. I never knew pizza ovens had names.)

After doing a live creative session on Instagram with Bianca Giuliano, their bar manager and beverage curator, I was instantly intrigued by her ingredients and drinks that were based on classic cocktails, but with crowd pleasing twists and riffs.

The bar staff was just as enthusiastic and passionate about the menu as Bianca, so rest assured: you’ll get the full Mercato experience no matter which one you choose.

The Canton Location just opened its doors for dinner this week, and is a “must try” for anyone in the valley that loves amazing drinks (her 0%ABV menu ROCKS, by the way!) perfectly rustic wood fired pies, and great ambience. (SIDE NOTE: I had a great burger with burrata)

Paloma Twenty-One

Your classic tequila, fresh grapefruit, lime, soda and agave, topped with soda. This one is special because it's made with 21 Seeds Grapefruit Hibiscus Tequila, and picked for its flavor and its ethos. The company is independent, women owned and conscious of sustainable production. This flavored tequila (something I thought I would never like. I was incorrect.)was used expertly-the hibiscus gives this red berry/citrus shimmer that shines through and also pairs well with red sauces. Win.

Dragon Berry Daiquiri

I don't think that the daiquiri should ever be changed in any way from its classic recipe of rum, lime juice and simple syrup. I also don't drink flavored spirits. Here I am, however, with a changed up daiquiri with flavored rum and I had to eat (or drink) my words! This was a home run: Bacardi Dragon Berry Rum (a light but still real rum with fruity but not too sweet fruit notes) Aperol (this was added to bring up the ABV and add some bitter notes) lime juice and simply syrup. This is a "you can't not love it" cocktail and a bridge for those who think they don't like classic drinks or flavored drinks. If you think you won't like this, order it. I promise.

Summer Reviver

A riff on the century old "Hair of the Dog"

or "morning after" cocktail, I really like the combination of flavors, especially for someone who is gin-skeptical. The Drunshanbo Sardinian Citrus Irish Gin is like, the UN of spirits. Botanicals from China, fruit from Italy, and made in Ireland. The original "Corpse Reviver" cocktail of Gin, lemon juice, Lillet Aperitif (stay tuned for my guide to Lillet and other fortified wines!) and Cointreau with a spritz of absinthe is one of my favorites to drink and to make for guests, but switching out the Cointreau and adding Limoncello made this beverage disappear at an alarming rate (responsibly, of course).

Dealer's Choice Whiskey Cocktail

While dining and talking drinks with Bianca, I pulled out a wild card. I had a bottle of my favorite Tennessee Whiskey and I asked her to make me an aromatic cocktail with it (see my list of mother cocktails if you've never heard of this style.) This bad boy is a Manhattan lovers dream. The base is the mellow and round Nelson's Greenbrier Tennessee Whiskey, with sweet and spicy balance coming from Mine Hill Amaro. Savory Chocolate bitters bring bitter depth. I dubbed it the "Maven's Manhattan".