The Season’s Most Creative Drinks NYC
We often associate spring and summer with rosé, margaritas, and other icy, boozy libations. But if you don’t want to head to work each day hung over, you’ll cool off with these refreshing, totally booze-free beverages — from the freshly pressed juices at Genuine Superette to the creamy horchatas at Los Tacos No. 1, and the fun bubble teas at Thirstea Cafe.
Genuine Superette
While mixologist Eben Freeman plans to eventually add booze to his line of juices, at a subterranean speakeasy below Genuine Superette, they’re currently being offered in entirely wholesome, non-alcoholic form — try The Emerald, with kale, cucumber and celery, or The Ruby, made with beets, fuji apples and angostura bitters.
Read MoreTaim
Einat Admoney may run two successful, sit-down restaurants (Bar Bolonat and Balaboosta), but it’s this Israeli-style falafel spot and smoothie bar that first put her on the map. We’re especially fond of the signature Lime-Date-Banana. Although, you can’t go wrong with the fresh Ginger-Mint Lemonade, or Pomegranate-Honey Iced Tea either!
Read MoreLos Tacos No. 1
The traditional, Mexican rice milk-based beverage, Horchata, is having a major moment in New York. And we’re all about the version at Los Tacos No. 1, Chelsea Market’s consistently busy taqueria — although their refreshing Aguas Frescas (specifically, the tamarindo) are equally enticing.
Read MoreLizzmonade
There’s nothing like a cool, assertively citrusy glass of Lemonade in the summer, and we’re not talking Country Time. And this lemonade-centric stand on the Brooklyn Bridge Park pier offers some of the city’s best, sweetened with sugar, agave or stevia, and infused with flavors like mango, blackberry, kiwi or watermelon.
Read MoreBrooklyn Soda Works
In addition to running stands at Smorgasburg and the High Line, you’ll find Brooklyn Soda Works’ delightfully fizzy beverages sold at bars and restaurants (occasionally even offered on tap!) all around New York City. You’ll never drink Pepsi again once you taste libations, like Watermelon-Tarragon-Lemon, Red Current-Shiso, or Strawberry-Hops-Peppercorn.
Read MoreThe Mudspot Café
You won’t find it sold from one of their bright orange trucks, so you’ll have to head to Mudspot’s actual, brick-and-mortar café for the wickedly sweet and devastatingly chocolatey Iced Mud Mocha — it’s all you’ll need to see you through breakfast, and maybe, even lunch.
Read MoreThirstea Café
What’s not to love about Chinese bubble tea — you get to suck up bouncy tapioca balls through a comically oversized straw! And at Thirstea Café in the East Village, the liquids they float in are equally good, from Matcha, Black Sesame and Honeydew Milk Tea, to Mixed Berry, Lychee and Green Apple Fruit Tea, and a variety of blended Smoothies. It’s too fun to miss out on.
Read MoreTea Bar
This sun-dappled corner spot on Williamsburg’s bustling Driggs Avenue offers Kombucha on tap, and multiple nuanced iterations of free trade, cold brewed Iced Tea, such as Coconut, Blood Orange, and Formosa Oolong.
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