Side Door Saloon's Awesome Coffee

Bottoms Up

By Eric Cox | March 23, 2019

Some dreary mushy-March morning, when you’re feeling weird and primed for some kind of heartening adventure, take your empty stomach over to The Side Door Saloon in Petoskey. Park your butt at the bar. Order an Awesome Coffee. Sit back and watch the show. A super sweet and smooth variation on Irish coffee, Awesome Coffee is as interesting on the palette as it is the eyes. Bartender April Backus first coats with sugar the rim of a tall wine glass, then adds a thimbleful of Bacardi 151. Don’t worry – that rocket fuel isn’t part of the drink. Rather, the high-proof rum is ignited, its blue flames used to caramelize and solidify the sugar crystals, which create a sweet, brittle frosting on the glass’ lip. While the flame continues, sprinkles of cinnamon are showered on, resulting in a satisfying plume of orange sparks. Black coffee is poured then mixed with equal parts of Kahlua, Carolans Irish Cream, Amaretto, and Grand Marnier. Whipped cream crowns this creation, which glides like silk across the tongue and down the gullet, a rich, chocolatey rivulet that’s sure to melt your slush-weary soul. $8.50. Find The Side Door Saloon, open at 11am daily, at 1200 N. U.S. Hwy. 31, in Petoskey. (231) 347-9291, www.sidedoorsaloon.com