At Aviary, You Will Mix Your Own Cocktails

By Anthony Todd in Food on Jan 28, 2011 6:40PM

The videos that Grant Achatz and Craig Schoettler have been putting out showcasing the cocktail offerings at the Aviary have us foaming at the mouth, in the best possible way. The things they are going to do with cocktails have never been done in Chicago before. Until we can actually taste the drinks (and believe me, once they open, you will have to pry us out of their chairs with a crowbar) we can watch the gorgeous videos. A new one, posted yesterday, shows guests mixing their own drinks, combining a carbonated negroni with a classic white lady gin cocktail. Afterwards, guests swizzle a sidecar (with ginger ice) with a stalk of lemon grass, melting the ice and combining the flavors. Our only questions? How does this audience get invited, and why aren't we there?