Bottoms up: Here are the best drinks I tried in Pittsburgh in 2022

Just like that, 2022 is on its way out the door. As a new year comes in, I wanted to reflect on a fun (but costly) hobby I started in late 2021.

Bear with me as I give a bit of context.

I moved to Pittsburgh in August 2020. While I have fallen in love with the city since then, it was a hard adjustment at first because I moved to the Steel City when everything was shut down because of COVID-19.

It was not until June 2021 that I was be able to get a true taste of what Pittsburgh had to offer. I randomly made a drink blog on Instagram (@drinkwithtanisha) to get myself out to more places in the city. I have expanded it to be a foodie page — and I can make it whatever I want, because it’s meant to be fun.

While it is still in its infancy, I am excited to visit more places and try new drinks in 2023.

Meanwhile, here, in no particular order, are some of my favorite drinks I had this year.

Cheers to another year!

Funky Street / Grist House Craft Brewery (Millvale)

I found myself falling in love this year with many of Grist House’s sour beers. The Funky Street fruited sour sealed that for me. This is my favorite drink. I love the tart berry flavor. I don’t drink a lot of beer, but this one has been changing that.

What’s in it: According to its description, “dark malt base with a blend of crystal and roasted malts to create an amber color to lay a foundation of caramel and light chocolate flavors. Then it is kettled sour overnight and then the wort is fermented with a Belgian saison yeast strain to add some fruity ester complexity. The beer is then conditioned on a moderate amount of raspberry, tart cherry and cranberry that complements the malt and yeast character.”

Apple Cider Mule / Sienna Mercato (Downtown)

Mules are slowly making their way onto my go-to drink list. Seasonal drinks are the worst because I always get attached to one, and sooner than later it’s yanked off the menu for another star to shine. It was love at first sight when I had this Apple Cider Mule. The first sip definitely hits you with cinnamon spice. After a few more sips, the drink feels like a warm cozy hug near a fireplace.

What’s in it: Captain Morgan, lemon juice, apple cider and ginger beer with a cinnamon stick garnish.

Ambrosia / R Wine Cellar (Strip District)

Wine is not on my mind when I go out, but one particular summer night I decided a glass was perfect for the occasion. I wanted to check out the Strip District’s bar scene and came across R Wine Cellar. I got to taste test a few different wines before I settled on this one.

Ambrosia was an instant hit. It wasn’t too sweet nor dry. I was surprised I took a liking to it since red blends aren’t my cup of tea, but this drink definitely changed my mind.

What’s in it: Marion blackberry, red raspberry and other fruit juices.

Blue Sapphire / Voodoo Brewing (North Shore)

Want to drink alcohol but not taste it? Behold this beauty! All I could taste was the blackberry and strawberry. I definitely was not complaining because it made for a sweet treat that night.

It was both refreshing and smooth. The drink is perfect for a summer night out or when Pittsburgh decides to have a random warm sunny day.

What’s in it: Big Spring Spirits vodka with blackberry, strawberry, blue spirulina and lime.

The Sabbatical / Shorty’s Pins x Pints (North Shore)

A friend and I went on a hunt for a slushy drink one summer afternoon and ended up at Shorty’s. The Sabbatical gives off a summer feeling. The frozen treat tastes like an orange Creamsicle. The orange slice was a great garnish.

What’s in it: Maggie’s Farm dark rum, pineapple, mango, coconut and nutmeg.

The Rum Barrel / Hidden Harbor (Squirrel Hill)

This photo does not give justice to this big barrel of bliss. This was my first time visiting Hidden Harbor back in March. This drink will take you to paradise with its tropical fruity taste. This was the drink to make me fall in love with rum because it was absolutely delicious in this.

Forewarning, you will feel like you will never reach the bottom of this drink because of its size.

What’s in it: Seven aged Caribbean rums; tropical fruits such as mango, papaya and pomegranate; citrus and exotic spice.

Peach Cooler / City Works (Downtown)

I’m a big fan of anything that has peaches in it, so when I saw this on the menu, I had to try it. This refreshing peachy drink had the perfect amount of juice and whiskey adding a fruity tartness to it.

What’s in it: Maker’s Mark bourbon, peach schnapps, lemon juice, orange juice, simple syrup and lemon-lime soda.

Carrie Fisher / Pins Mechanical Co. (SouthSide Works)

I would be lying if I said I did not get this drink — from Pins Mechanical Co. on the South Side — because I love “Star Wars” and the late Carrie Fisher. I’ve become a big fan of rum this year. The best way I can describe this concoction is beach paradise. It was definitely light in flavor, but that’s what made it enjoyable for me. The blueberry vodka is the star of the show for the most part.

The rock candy was a fun addition. Though with as much sugar as this drink already has in it, you are sure to have sugar rush.

What’s in it: Coconut rum, blueberry vodka, blue curacao, pineapple juice, lime juice and rock candy.

Plumbus Shaman / Grist House Craft Brewery (Millvale)

Again, I can never shake the taste of a Grist House sour. I still daydream about this fruity goodness. It’s smooth and has a great aftertaste. This drink was my introduction to trying more sours. Shoutout to the bartender at the beer garden near Market Square who suggested this to me. I had no idea it was inspired by the Adult Swim show “Rick and Morty,” but the fun fact made me love it even more.

I highly suggest this drink to anyone like me who isn’t a big beer drinker but wants to give it a chance.

What’s in it: Lemon juice, plums and berry berry tea.

Bramble on Rose / The Warren Bar & Burrow (Downtown)

I have had plenty of great drinks from The Warren, but this one (corrected in name and recipe from when this story originally was published) was probably my favorite. This pretty floral drink had a nice bubbly taste to it similar to a rosé wine. I found myself finishing it pretty fast despite my efforts to savor it slowly.

What’s in it: Blackberry thyme syrup, Giffords Rhubarbe, lemon, Bombay Bramble (shaken and strained into large coup) then topped with sparkling rose