Whether you wake up begging for a little hair of the dog, or just want to get the party started early, these cocktails are an eye-opening way to start the day.
Harry’s Bar Bellini, $9
Subterranean nightspot Le Passage pays homage to the legendary Venice bar’s signature drink with its Harry’s Bar Bellini, a blend of peach nectar and Mumm Cuvee Napa sparkling wine, served in a champagne glass. 937 N. Rush St. 312-255-0022.
Salty Dog, $5
A twist on the classic greyhound cocktail, this drink blends freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice with Skyy vodka. It’s served on the rocks in a glass rimmed with kosher salt. Regulars rely on the concoction to wash down house-cured lox or Tabasco-grilled shrimp at this fancifully decorated Wicker Park restaurant. MOD, 1520 N. Damen Ave. 773-252-1500.
Road Rash Mary, $6.25
The bartenders at biker-themed grill Twisted Spoke pour plenty of these pints each weekend. Pre-blended out of necessity in a 20-gallon pot, this top-rated (and top-secret) take on the Bloody is finished off with Guinness and grated parmesan cheese, and garnished with a skewer of hard salami, pepperoncini, olive and cocktail onion. Served with a shot of beer. 501 N. Ogden Ave. 312-666-1500.
Bell’s Oatmeal Stout, $5
Forget those packages of maple and brown sugar-flavored instant oatmeal. This stout is one of a handful of limited-edition beers bottled by the Kalamazoo, Mich., brewery every November. Thick and rich enough for breakfast–with no lumps. Delilah’s, 2771 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-472-2771.
Mimosa, $6
When it comes to these champagne cocktails, most bars serve up a skimpy flute topped with a splash of juice. But classy comfort-food specialist Silver Cloud gets bonus points for generosity: A split of Freixenet arrives with a separate glass of juice: passion fruit, mango, papaya or traditional orange. 1700 N. Damen Ave. 773-489-6212.
