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Veteran bartender Angelica Chu shares her secret for making the perfect fall cocktail — and dishes on all things Earls Prudential. 

Overlooking Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood in Prudential Center, Earls is always buzzing with energy. It’s the perfect spot for any occasion — from a special night out to a quick drink after work. So, we thought it would be fun to connect with Angelica Chu, a 5-year veteran Earls bartender, to learn how to make the perfect fall cocktail — and to learn why she thinks this restaurant and event space has such a special vibe. Here’s what she had to say. 

The Perfect Fall Cocktail

Pru: What cocktail would you feature for fall? 

AC: I’d definitely have to choose our new Iced Irish Coffee! 

P: We’re listening— why is this perfect for fall? 

AC: Iced coffee is extremely popular right now, and who doesn’t love coffee!? Earls’ twist on the cocktail is a house-made cold brew, Irish whiskey, chai spices topped with a house-made Baileys Chai Cream. So delicious! 

P: Any chance you’ll share the recipe with us?

AC: Of course!

1. Pack a Double Rocks glass full of ice. 
2. Measure 0.25 fl oz Chai Tea Syrup, 2 fl oz Cold Brewed Coffee, and 1 fl oz Jameson. 
3. Insert bar spoon and stir to thoroughly mix ingredients. 
4. Top with ice level with the rim of the glass. 
5. Top cocktail with 1.5 fl oz Baileys Chai Cream. 
6. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg. 
7. Enjoy! 

P: What’s the secret to making a really good Irish Iced Coffee? 

AC: The secret to making a really good one is building the cocktail properly and making sure our Bailey’s Chai Cream is made to perfection. We use an Earls blender bottle to get the cream thick, so it floats perfectly on top of the cocktail.

P: What foods does it pair well with? 

AC: For brunch I would recommend the chicken and waffles — the Nashville oils and spice will complement the sweetness of the drink. You can also pair this with our ham and cheese omelet. You can’t go wrong with eggs and coffee. For dessert I would pair this with our Sticky Toffee Chocolate Pudding. The richness of the toffee cake and the sweetness of the vanilla ice cream definitely go hand-in-hand with the iced coffee. It is also a great cocktail to finish off any meal! 

Let’s Dish

Pru: Angelica, you’ve tried it all — what’s your favorite meal at the Earls? 

AC: My favorite dish at Earls is the Lobster and Shrimp Ravioli. This dish comes with celery root ravioli, tossed in a creamy lobster sauce topped with a generous portion of lobster and shrimp. Red chili flakes add a kick of spice, and the dish is garnished with freshly grated Grana Padano Parmesan cheese. 

When I’m with friends and celebrating a special occasion, our Seafood Platter is a must try! It truly is the ultimate appetizer platter that is great for every occasion. It comes with everything: a beautiful poached lobster tail, fresh oysters, poached tiger prawns, our Ahi Tuna Poke, and our crispy shrimp sushi roll. 

P: What are some fun occasions to dine at Earls? 

AC: Definitely birthday parties, bachelorette parties, engagement/anniversary parties, graduation… I only say this because we have the best drink and food program and our service is top notch, so celebrating these occasions at Earls is the way to go. We are also a great place for a business dinner or date night.

Earls, The Pru, and Things We Never Knew

P: When you’re not at Earls, what are your favorite Prudential Center stores, restaurants, and activities? 

AC: One of my favorite Prudential shops is definitely Aritzia. All of their clothes are super cute and fashionable. 

P: Do you have any unique talents or skills that come in handy as a bartender? 

AC: I guess my talent or skill would be just coming up with drinks on the fly when people don’t know what they want and having that craft cocktail knowledge to share with our guests. 

P: You love when customers…  

AC: I love when customers just enjoy their time at Earls overall because it makes me happy that I’m doing my job right. I love making people happy and making cocktails that they enjoy drinking. 

P: What is the most important trait an Earls bartender can have? 

AC: Personality, of course! Our job as bartenders is to make the guest feel comfortable, taken care of, and overall just have a fun time working! You never know who you’ll meet sitting at the bar, but by the time we leave we hope you feel a part of the Earls family. 

P: What’s the funniest request you’ve had as a bartender? 

AC: I’ve had some people order the most obscure drinks. It tests my cocktail knowledge or gives me the opportunity to learn a new cocktail. 

P: Describe Earls in 3 words 

AC: Fun. Delicious. Trendy! 

Fun Facts & Upcoming Events

P: Are there any fun facts that you think people should know about Earls? 

AC: Earls just celebrated our 40th anniversary and has grown to 69 locations throughout North America, with Earls Prudential being one of our flagship restaurants. We have a globally inspired menu with a great mix of both healthy and indulgent menu options.

Our space in The Pru is unique and a great place to host parties and events of all sizes. We have three different areas that offer different experiences. 

P: Are there any upcoming events or specials that you’d like to share? 

AC: We are hosting an upcoming Halloween party on Saturday, October 29th. The theme is Vampires, Bats and Blood! We will be participating in the PruBoo Sunday, October 30th. And don’t miss our NYE party this year! 

Well, there you have it— the road to a deliciously delightful autumn-inspired cocktail, meal, or memorable experience clearly begins at Earls Prudential. Be sure to stop by to meet Angelica and benefit from her incredible mixology skills. Thank you, Angelica, for sharing all things Earls with your Prudential Center friends!