Eat My Charlotte
Found: Fahrenheit (222 S. Caldwell St.)
Ingredients: Bird Dog Peach Whiskey, house-dried Fresno chile, simple syrup, pickled peaches
Fahrenheit’s near panoramic Uptown view has quickly made it one of the most iconic Charlotte spots to snap a romantic couple shot or cheeky selfie. But it’s more than scenery that sets the Cleveland-turned-Charlotte eatery apart from the rest of town. Atop its 21-story rooftop, you’ll find the usual suspects — fire pits and lounge chairs — but also something you’d be hard-pressed to find inside the Uptown grid: The sunny slice of sky-high real estate boasts a sprawling, and thriving, urban garden. Fahrenheit’s herb and heirloom tomato garden offers a versatile variety of greenery, with basics like thyme, rosemary and mint mixed in with less typical selections such as African purple basil and horseradish.
“Our cocktail program, much like our food menu, is very local inspired,” says Fahrenheit’s dining manager, Tess Osbourne. “We want to make sure that when we make honey syrups, we’re using Cloister’s, when we’re using stone fruits and berries that they’re coming from the Carolinas. Rocco [Whalen, executive chef and owner] definitely tailor-made this cocktail menu to go with Charlotte. It stays similar to his vision and brand, but with such an emphasis on local, it has to change a little bit.”
Sweet Georgia Brown, exclusive to the Charlotte location, is an undeniable nod to this side of the Mason-Dixon. Made with smooth Bird Dog peach-flavored whiskey, this potent on-the-rocks sip gets its kick of heat from a generous dose of house-dried Fresno chiles. A pickled peach garnish offsets the fiery drink and offers a satiating, almost candy-like finish that will have you looking to get your hands on the bar’s pickling jar.
