Cola-inspired cocktails are trending in St. Louis bars right now

Cola-inspired cocktails are popping up on menus across town, from creatively layered takes on classic cola flavors to revivals of tried-and-true soda-and-spirit combos. The playfully named Italian Soda on tap at Press is a delightful combination of bourbon, amaro, sweet vermouth, ginger and bitters served over crunchy pellet ice that goes down as easily as a fountain Coke. The Wright’s Cola at Wright’s Tavern mixes cherry-infused Four Roses bourbon with cola, vanilla bean and lime. Topped with a juicy cherry, this one is refreshing and sweet without entering dessert drink territory. The divisive Kalimotxo, a Spanish cocktail made with equal parts red wine and cola, is getting the respect it deserves on the concise cocktail menu at effortlessly cool Cherokee Street wine bar 'Ssippi. Bar Moro is putting their sophisticated spin on the Spanish classic with red wine, Sambuca, Coca-Cola, lime and mint.

Or go off menu and do what we do when we want to scratch the itch: Saddle up to a dive bar and order what we’ve affectionately dubbed the Dirty Diane, Shirley’s edgy step-sister – bourbon, Coke, grenadine and fresh lime.

Press 2509 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, 314.328.1094, press-stl.com
Wright’s Tavern 7624 Wydown Blvd., Clayton, 314.390.1466, wrightswydown.com
‘Ssippi 2926 Cherokee St., St. Louis, ssippi.xyz
Bar Moro 7610 Wydown Blvd., Clayton, bengelina.com/bar-moro