Beth Skogen
The Tequila Mockingbird: Kill a few.
The reasons to love kegged cocktails are plentiful. They’re consistent. They’re precise. The flavors are deep and balanced. And, perhaps best of all, they’re fast.
The concept of craft cocktails on tap is still a bit of a novelty in Madison. There are a few spots in town that do them. But at Cask & Ale, the newest spot on State Street, the cocktail program features exclusively batched and kegged recipes.
One of the best and most popular drinks on the menu is the Tequila Mockingbird, a refreshing (and highly potent) mix of Milagro Reposado tequila, Ancho Reyes ancho chile liqueur, peach whiskey, Thai chili, orange bitters and lime juice. Like a high-end margarita with a fruity twist, it’s inventive, nuanced and very drinkable.
There are four other varieties, including a fun take on a daiquiri with grapefruit juice and a deluxe negroni featuring St. George Bruto Americano (a fabulous herbal aperitivo). Another popular original is the VanDyke, which combines Buffalo Trace bourbon, St. Germain, lemon, ginger and angostura bitters. Plus, Cask & Ale offers two varieties of kegged old fashioneds (one with bourbon, one with brandy), aged in charred oak barrels.
For an up-and-coming spot that marries State Street bustle with Capitol Square sophistication, Cask & Ale has created the perfect blend.
