Mama Tried Has a Whole New Menu Of Cocktails.

None are over $15, unless you want a Polaroid

All photos by Matt Meltzer

Over the years, I’ve considered Mama Tried as the kind of place you either go real early or real late. The happy hour kills it during daylight, with single-digit drink prices and beers under $5. Post-2 a.m. it’s a late-night dive of last resort, where strong drinks lead to bad decisions right up til 5.

Along the way, I forgot it was also a fantastic cocktail bar, helmed by Sweet Liberty OG Tyler Kitzman, whose drinks can stand up to any cocktail bar in Miami. This weekend, Tyler is dropping an all-new cocktail menu at Mama Tried, heavy on the tequila and even heavier on taste. We got to try them all first, and here’s what to expect.

Red Flag

Ironic name here, since obviously anyone who wants to meet at Mama Tried is obviously a green flag. This super-boozy take on a French 75 adds Cazadores to the mix, with fresh lime juice, strawberry Aperol magic, and a little sparkling wine on top.

The verdict: Even knowing there’s tequila in the drink, you barely taste it ahead of the sweet and citrusy fruit notes. And if hiding danger behind a layer of sweetness isn’t a good analogy for a red flag, I’m not sure what is.

Mingo’s Mangoes

Figuring out what to do with the roughly 10,000 mangoes from your tree is a challenge. Kitzman thought they’d be best used in this cocktail, mixing mangoes with Casamigos and strawberry-infused Aperol.

The verdict: It’s a splash of lime away from being a mango margarita, but stops just short of being too sweet.

Honey Deuce

This drink is to the U.S. Open what mint juleps are to the Kentucky Derby: A drink most people order exactly once a year. That changes with Mama Tried’s take on the Flushing Meadows mainstay, which is more like a blackberry lemonade with vodka-soaked melon balls on top. It comes served over crushed pebble ice, keeping it cold and refreshing throughout.

The verdict: Remember Melon Blast Gatorade? Now remember putting vodka in it so you could get buzzed sipping from the bottle during freshmen year statistics? This is like that, except it’s made by someone who knows what they’re doing.

Pero Liiiike

Supposably this drink is a fruitier take on a Moscow Mule, with Dragon berry tequila, guava, and ginger beer. It doesn’t come in a copper mug, but if you absolutely must have a take-home souvenir when you order a mule, the Pero Liiike comes with a little ceramic bunny garnish. For $1 extra, the bartender will take a polaroid of you and pin it to the glass.

The verdict: Irregardless, if you’re into Mules this is the move. Loads of ginger flavor but a stronger punch than the traditional vodka-based Moscow, with fruit flavors to give the drink some complexity.

Something Spicier With Mezcal

This new-and-improved version of the Something Spicy with Mezcal ditches the reposado and goes all-in on Mezcal, mixing it with guajillo chili, jalapeno agave, and watermelon, with a tajin rim.

The verdict: The rebranded name should probably be “Something Boozier with Mezcal.” If you’re into the smoky stuff, you’re gonna absolutely love this drink. If you’re meh on Mezcal, it might be a little much for you.

Tiramisu Espresso Martini

If you’re the kind who’d rather drink your calories you can slurp up dessert with this Italian take on the espresso martini. Much like finer Italian restaurants, Mama Tried puts a shot of real espresso in here, before blending it with Patron reposado, then topping it all with Bailey’s cream cheese.

The verdict: The ladyfinger garnish is meant to be dunked like a biscotti, and it works perfectly. You’ll find yourself downing this much faster than you’d planned, but the jolt of espresso will keep you up long enough to order another.

Urban Cowboy

The Urban Cowboy is a marked departure from the sweet, tequila-based stuff on Mama Tried’s new menu, and caters more to the “I’d like to drink alone in a dark bar” clientele that also frequents this place. It starts with maple-bacon infused Maker’s Mark, adding bitters and vanilla-cinnamon syrup to the mix before infusing it with cedar smoke.

The verdict: This one is definitely a nightcap, and suited well for when the A/C is cranked all the way up. It’s rich and bourbon-forward, and an intriguing slant if you’re into Old Fashionds.

World’s Best Pina Colada

Mama Tried’s new menu offers two frozen drinks from what Kitzman calls “the Lamborghini of frozen drink makers.” The man who created Sweet Liberty’s award-winning pina colada puts a smoother spin on this one, adding ice cream, pineapple, and coffee to a blend of five Bacardi rums.

The verdict: Your “I only drink pina coladas on vacation” rule needs to be changed to “I only drink pina coladas on vacation AND at downtown dive bars.” Because this one could actually be the world’s best. It’s layered, creamy, boozy, and satisfying, and magically doesn’t give you a brain freeze either.

N/A Cocktails

Mama Tried is also offering two non-alcoholic drinks on the new menu. The Like a Virgin is made with Little Saint N/A spirits, lime, and seltzer water. The La Novela is essentially a zero proof margarita with passionfruit and habanero. There’s also a “Glass of Bubbles,” which is also handy if you spill on yourself

The verdict: I didn’t try them. Or maybe I did and I just don’t want you to know.

@mamatriedmia // 207 NE 1st St., Downtown