The beauty of a craft cocktail is in the enjoyment of its flavor profile, which – when done well – offers nuanced layers of flavor that hit the palette one by one. The result is an olfactory experience that makes its sheer consumption a joy.  

For many, the downside of their love for cocktails is the inability to enjoy a series of drinks without (sometimes unintentionally) reaching the point of intoxication. In fact, one of the advantages of the low-proof cocktail movement is that it has opened the door for even prudent drinkers to sample more than one delicious quaff in a single sitting.

Enter the new Discourse Cafe at Radio Milwaukee, 158 S. Barclay St., which has created an entire menu of beautifully complex low-proof cocktails that hit all the right notes without compromising one’s ability to carry on with whatever additional tasks your day entails.

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“Everything on the menu is thoughtfully designed for daytime consumption,” notes Founder Ryan Castelaz. “They’re delicious and drinkable, but not designed to be alcohol forward.”

It’s a great time to stop in to try one of these Discourse creations because the current menu is the broadest it will ever be, showcasing a substantial collection of drinks in three categories: Coffee-based, Still and Spritz.

“Right now, we’re putting all of these things out there – to see what sticks,” says Castelaz.

“It’s a super exciting time for us because we’re engaging in a discourse with the drinkers. Based on feedback, along with what people buy, we’ll be able to see what people are responding to and what we should focus on moving forward.”

Coffee-based

Discourse’s coffee-based cocktails are the most straightforward of the bunch, with familiar offerings like their takes on Irish Coffee (featuring sous vide coffee, Ango Hocolate Bitters and ras el hanout, $10) and an Espresso Martini made with actual espresso ($12).

But you’ll also find the Carajillo, a Spanish cocktail that’s popular in Mexico which features espresso and Licor 43, a Spanish liqueur sporting notes of vanilla, orange and lemon blossom ($9).

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Another to try is Every Rose Has Its Thorn featuring jalapeno muddled with Lillet Rose, Yuzu Curacao, Averna, Cocchi Vermouth and Top Note Tonic, topped with sous vide coffee and served over ice ($13). It’s refreshing, while also beautifully bitter.

Still 

On the still side, guests will find a few surprises. 

That includes a low-proof Manhattan that has all the flavor of the standard without the buzz.  Made with Uncle Nearest 1856 Bourbon, Cocchi Vermouth and an amari blend, this quaff makes an excellent afternoon or evening sipper ($15).

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Similarly, lovers of the dirty martini might find their spark in the Kind of Blue, a low-proof take on the martini that rolls out like a meal on the palate. There are fruity notes of pear, funky wafts of blue cheese and nuts and a whiff of salinity that pulls you straight back to martini-ville (St. George Pear Liqueur, Dolin Dry, Sherry, blue cheese, grilled olive, charred lemon, $14).

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But there are also adventures to be had with selections like the Treaty of Friendship. Inspired by the “Friendship Commerce and Navigation Treaty” enacted by Japan and Mexico in 1888, the drink brings together the flavors of Rishi matcha tea with Mexican mezcal in a mash-up of flavors showcasing the floral notes of Heirloom Genepy Liqueur, Ancho Reyes Liqueur, vanilla, lime and a frothy egg white top ($15)

For those excited to try something truly outside the box, there’s the Passion Pit, a drink that Castalez admits is “probably the weirdest one on the menu”. But it features delicious elements like corn sous vided with butter, salt and milk from the cob alongside bright notes of passionfruit. Strained particulates of buttery corn are dried, ground and served on the drink’s ice cube ($16).

Spritz

Of course, if you’re looking for brighter and bubblier, there are brunch and lunch options aplenty in the Spritz section of the menu.

Like its name, Beach House is a drink that’s full of big, fun tropical flavors thanks to Heirloom Pineapple Amaro, Fruitful Guava, super orange juice (Discourse’s take on acidified orange), Aperol, Prosecco and the earthy aromatics of fresh sage ($14).

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Looking for something elegant, softly floral and refined? Allow me to steer you to the St. Vincent. Named for the artist of the same name, this drink is made with St. George Pear Liqueur, Acqua Di Cedro, Elderflower Liqueur, verjus and tarragon. Served on ice in a champagne flute, it might be the most sophisticated substitute for a glass of wine that you could imagine ($14).

Then again, there’s joy and refreshment to be found in the Japanese Breakfast, a fun take on the Tokyo highball that incorporates Toki Whiskey, Licor 43, Granny Smith apple and Rishi Oolong soda resulting in a tall glass of fresh, fruity, fizzy wonders, plus an apple for snacking ($13).

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Feeling a bit spicy? You might prefer the G.F.L. Technically that stands for Guava Fig Lillet, but feel free to apply your imagination as desired to the acronymic name of this unique quaff.

It begins in the Discourse kitchen with a fig infusion made with vanilla, Ceylon cinnamon, clove, fig butter, tonka and blade mace. The house liqueur is then mixed with Fruitful Guava, Lillet Rose Tonka, Spanish Bitters and topped with charged Retsina for gentle, effervescent notes of pine ($16).

Meanwhile, lovers of the ubiquitous Aperol Spritz should will find familiarity in the Aparote Spritz. This Prosecco-based spritz combines house orange soda with Parajote Orange liqueur to create a drink that’s big on the orange flavor and slightly less bitter than its Aperol-based relation. It's available in two sizes: a single and a double ($9/$17), making it the perfect cocktail to share (or not) on a hot summer day.

Discourse cocktails are available Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.