Low Bar’s The Boss

Bottoms Up

By Craig Manning | April 29, 2023

It’s hard to say what we love most about this drink, a one-of-a-kind staple at Traverse City’s Low Bar. The most noticeable attribute, as you can see from the photo, is the presentation. Bartenders deliver The Boss ($16) to your table in a smoke-filled bottle, after which it’s up to you to decide how long you’ll wait before uncorking the bottle and pouring the drink. The longer you wait, the more smoke flavor will seep into the cocktail, which is a winning combination of mezcal, cognac, Heering cherry liqueur, and Gran Gala (an orange liqueur). We adore that mix of flavors and how the sweetness of the fruity liquors seems to deepen with the addition of all that smoke. Last but not least, we love the name of the drink, which is slick and cool just like the cocktail itself; we’re choosing to believe that whoever dreamed this one up was a big Springsteen fan. Find The Boss (the cocktail, not Bruce) at 128 S. Union St. in Traverse City. (231) 944-5397, lowbartc.com