Dilworth Tasting Room has expanded its menu to include 13 classic cocktails

The cocktails will add to the business’ already expansive menu of 30 beers and 45 wines ten months into its presence in the neighborhood, but the wait was purposeful, owner Jaffer Kovic told the Agenda.

“It was always in the business plan, but I wanted to gauge the city and the neighborhood,” Kovic, who has also had industry experience in bigger cities in states like New York, Texas and Nevada, said. “I didn’t want to come in full force with coffee, cocktails and beer and wine.”

As it turns out, it made sense for the Tasting Room. The progression is natural, he said, and he’s excited to see programs like it start to take shape in Charlotte.

“We see other places starting to change and develop into a legitimate cocktail program, whereas in New York and other larger cities, those have been done over and over and over.”

The “very limited” menu was curated late this summer, and it was created by taking a look at what other businesses in the space weren’t doing – and then bringing what was lacking to Charlotte.

“We wanted to create a menu of drinks that people may not know about it. They’re very classic cocktails,” Kovic said.

The final menu comes in the shape of 13 cocktails, including a French 75, Luchador’s Last Word, Kentucky Nail, Aviation and Daiquiri No. 4. Each cocktail will run an even $12.

A break-even component will also be offered, allowing customers to try high-end, expensive alcohol at a price point they can afford. Options will likely be rotated weekly.

But it’s the Hanky Panky, first created in 1903, that Kovic says is his favorite, thanks to its Fernet-Branca.

“I’ve always enjoy fernet branca in my 17 years in the restaurant business,” he said about the industry drink. “The Hanky Panky just gives itself to all of these great flavors and aromas in the glass and the orange that stands out on it. Overall, it’s a sexy, fun drink. But it’s not a weak drink – it’s extremely strong. It packs a punch.”

Kovic gave the Agenda a quick look at five of his favorite menu items.

The full menu is as follows:

• Pimm’s Spritz (Pimm’s, lemon, champagne)
• Hanky Panky (gin, sweet vermouth, fernet branca)

• Daquiri No. 4 (pineapple rum, lime, maraschino)
• Kentucky Nail (bourbon, Drambuie)
• Martini (gin or vodka, dry vermouth)
• Gimlet (gin or vodka, lime)
• Preakness (rye, vermouth, benedictine, bitters)
• High Ball (Japanese whisky, soda)
• Bijou (gin vermouth, green chartreuse)
• French 75 (gin, lemon, champagne)
• Monk Buck (curaçao, yellow chartreuse, lemon, ginger)
• Aviation (gin, creme de violette, maraschino, lemon)
• Luchador’s Last Word (mezcal, maraschino, lime green chartreuse)

Dilworth Tasting Room, located at 300 East Tremont Street, is open Monday through Thursday, 4 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 1 to 11 p.m. and Sunday, 1 to 8 p.m. Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.