Brandylion: Tea & Spirits will host its grand opening at 200 N. Court Ave. at Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum on Saturday, Feb. 21. The space previously held Dandelion Cafe and Bakery, which moved across the street to share residence with JoJo’s.
Interior Notes
Inside, the narrow bar glows under saturated red lighting that casts a warm, intimate tone across the room. Overhead, pendant lamps hang at staggered heights, and a silhouetted mural of Southwestern figures stretches above the bar. Beyond the bar, small rooms hold low tables and upholstered chairs. Red doors and geometric trim frame each doorway, while globe lights soften the corners.
Outside, a brick-lined patio runs between stucco walls painted in muted yellow and green. Mint-colored bistro tables and chairs line the walkway. Together, the interior lounge and tucked-away patio create a setting that balances moody sophistication with neighborhood charm.
Menu Details
Brandylion’s cocktail program leans into brandy while giving attention to classic technique.
The Classics section features the Sazerac, Sidecar, Vieux Carré, and Pisco Sour.
Modern Riffs introduces cocktails with brighter profiles, such as the Chilcano Maracuyá with pisco, passionfruit, lime and ginger beer, and the hibiscus-laced Hugo Rose with applejack, Irish rose gin and lemon.
House Originals push deeper into fortified wines and layered flavors. The Fortified Float combines XO brandy, orange, lemon, demerara, egg, and house-crafted root beer. Similarly, Singani City mixes singani with fortified wine, grapefruit bitters, and saline for a crisp finish. The BrandyLion layers aquavit and gin with pear liqueur, blackberry preserves, and orange, topped with plant-based foam.
Not Brandy selections include a Blue Juniper with gin and prickly pear, a Watermelon Margarita, and a Whiskey Sour.
The bar also has other perks in the works, such as a cognac board and an expanding selection of rare, ultra-premium bottles.
Hours
Operating hours, subject to change, are as follows:
- Closed Monday & Tuesday
- Wednesday:
- 9 a.m.-3 p.m. tea service
- 3-5 pm. limited menu
- 5 p.m.-close cocktails and brandy
Stay tuned to our Instagram for a Reel from our visit during soft opening.
Keep up with Brandylion: Tea & Spirits on Instagram.
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Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
