Cocktail of the Month: The Philly Flyer
By • July 15, 2026 0 266
The United States marked its milestone 250th birthday this month with much jubilation. In our nation’s capital, the festivities were tainted by politics: Trump’s “Great American State Fair” was scarred by low turnout, canceled performers, states not participating, weather extremes and an algae-filled reflecting pool.
In New York City, the Empire State Building was lit up in red, white and blue. Navy jets soared over the city and tall ships filled the harbor. However, even these grand events seemed overshadowed by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s nuptials at Madison Square Garden.
Perhaps the city that should have received the most attention was a tad overlooked. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted in Independence Hall in Philadelphia, making it the birthplace of the American Revolution.
As we begin the country’s quarter-millennium, there are still many chances to toast the city that sparked the fire. While Philadelphia does not have a legally mandated municipal drink, it’s famous for some legendary concoctions.
Originating in the 1880s, the Clover Club is a classic, pre-Prohibition cocktail. The drink takes its name from an elite gentlemen’s club, composed of prominent bankers, journalists, politicians and business leaders, that met regularly at Philadelphia’s Bellevue-Stratford Hotel.
A more robust tipple that put the City of Brotherly Love on the map is Philadelphia Fish House Punch, one of America’s oldest surviving cocktail recipes. Dating back to 1730, it predates the founding of our great nation.
This high-proof drink was created at the Schuylkill Fishing Company, a famous colonial angling club. A potent combination of rum, cognac, peach brandy, lemon juice, simple syrup and cold black tea, it was made in large batches to satisfy a crowd, making it a convenient option for an afternoon backyard barbecue (but a bit potent for day drinking).
If you’re looking for something more modern, there’s the Philly Flyer, which won a contest sponsored by Philadelphia Magazine in 2011.
This creation is forged from Bluecoat Gin, a local spirit, its name inspired by the patriots that won the Revolutionary War. According to the website, the name “bluecoat” refers to the ordinary citizens — farmers, doctors, blacksmiths and lawyers — united in common cause to free our country from the British Crown. These courageous folks, who took up arms and fought for independence, were known as bluecoats.
Although Philadelphia has a strong cocktail culture, with many talented mixologists, the contest was won by an amateur, Rick Fitzgerald, which reflects the plucky spirit of the rebels who fought off Britain’s well-trained military regime.
The Philly Flyer is a variation on the classic Aviation cocktail, the main difference being the liqueur used to flavor and color the drink. While both share a base of gin, lemon juice and maraschino liqueur, the Philly Flyer swaps out the Aviation’s crème de violette for the more accessible crème de cassis, a black current spirit.
With enough sweet fruitiness to make it a summer hit, the resulting cocktail is tempered by the complex gin botanicals and lemon, keeping it refreshing, with a crisp edge.
While Caps fans may not appreciate imbibing a drink with a rival team’s moniker, let’s look at it as a metaphor for the nation’s next era. It’s time to fly!
The Philly Flyer
2 oz. Bluecoat Gin
1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
1/3 oz. Luxardo Maraschino liqueur
1/4 oz. crème de cassis
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well until chilled, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
