Tucson FoodieCelebrating local food, drink, and community.
Brandylion: Tea & Spirits to Open Downtown Feb. 21

Brandylion: Tea & Spirits (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Brandylion: Tea & Spirits to Open Downtown Feb. 21

Feb 20, 20262 min read

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.

Brandylion: Tea & Spirits (Photo by Jackie Tran)

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.

Brandylion: Tea & Spirits (Photo by Jackie Tran)

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.

Brandylion: Tea & Spirits (Photo by Jackie Tran)

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.

Brandylion: Tea & Spirits (Photo by Jackie Tran)

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.

Article written by:

Jackie Tran

Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer and photographer. 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.

Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments and petting pets.

If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.

Get our free Tucson Foodie weekly newsletter

New openings, events, dish recommendations, and guides — every Wednesday. No spam.

Take us with you.

Discover the best local spots, browse the dish database, build and share your to-visit lists, support local, and join the Foodie Club when you're ready.

Advertisement

Follow @TucsonFoodie136.1K followers
IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. 

Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.
THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 

@Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. 

Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. 

The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. 

WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave.
TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free
 
SPECIAL ADMISSION: 
• Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID 
• Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups
• Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID

ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 @Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave. TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free SPECIAL ADMISSION: • Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID • Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups • Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.
Anne Rysdale built @sheltercocktaillounge in 1961 with concrete walls, lava rock, and Cold War nerves. Today, owners Pam Santangelo and Kevin Breutzmann keep the Tucson bar exactly as regulars remember it. Inside, martinis share space with JFK memorabilia, a vintage atomic chandelier, and a suit of armor named Charlie. “Tucson is changing so much, but this has stayed the same. It’s a time capsule,” Santangelo said. 

Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 
Photos by @sea_lyonAnne Rysdale built @sheltercocktaillounge in 1961 with concrete walls, lava rock, and Cold War nerves. Today, owners Pam Santangelo and Kevin Breutzmann keep the Tucson bar exactly as regulars remember it. Inside, martinis share space with JFK memorabilia, a vintage atomic chandelier, and a suit of armor named Charlie. “Tucson is changing so much, but this has stayed the same. It’s a time capsule,” Santangelo said. Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photos by @sea_lyon
Scratch-made Japanese ramen goes far beyond instant noodles, with rich broths like tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu. Tucson has more specialty ramen shops than you might expect. Here’s where to find them around town.🍜

@ikkyu.tucson 
@jaramencurry 
@kiwamiramenbar 
@kukai___ 
@marujapanesenoodle 
@maruplusaz 
@obonsushi 
@raijinramen 
@theramenbartucson 
@tossfriedchickennramen 

More guides on Tucsonfoodie.comScratch-made Japanese ramen goes far beyond instant noodles, with rich broths like tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu. Tucson has more specialty ramen shops than you might expect. Here’s where to find them around town.🍜 @ikkyu.tucson @jaramencurry @kiwamiramenbar @kukai___ @marujapanesenoodle @maruplusaz @obonsushi @raijinramen @theramenbartucson @tossfriedchickennramen More guides on Tucsonfoodie.com