Spotlight on Spring Cocktails in New York
When it comes to blink-and-you’ll miss it spring, you’ll want to consume its endowment of transcendent produce as often as you can, and in as many permutations as possible. So be sure to visit bars and restaurants intent funneling the garden to your glass, from Olmsted’s sweet pea and sake tipple, to Motel Morris’ strawberry-balsamic drink…
Olmsted
With an edible garden in the backyard (now double its size, featuring an insulated greenhouse), it’s easy for Olmsted to vary its cocktail selection according to the whims of the season — leading to options like “Rhubarb” (made with tequila, salt foam and tonic), “Tarragon” (featuring gin, sherry and yuzu), and even “Snap Pea,” flavored with pickling liquid, escubac (a French liqueur) and sake.
Read MoreMotel Morris
While hotel bars and restaurants are all the rage, this is actually a standalone Chelsea establishment, featuring seasonal American food and cocktails like the “Twentieth Century” (gin and lillet), the “Down the Shore (mezcal, aloe, cucumber and mint), and “Kitty O’Sheas;” a vibrant blend of plum sloe, strawberry, basil and balsamic.
Read MoreFlora Bar
New York is just as celebrated for its cultural institutions as it is its drinking and dining scene. So why not take advantage of both at the Met Brauer-situated Flora Bar, featuring food from Ignacio Mattos and cocktails courtesy of partner Thomas Carter? Look for the “Solea” with rum, ginger, spiced hibiscus and soda, and the “Son of Neptune,” made with scotch, lemon, pineapple and lavender honey. Did we mention there’s al fresco seating to enjoy that cocktail to boot?
Read MoreMiss Ada
Modern Middle Eastern cuisine is definitely having a moment, as further evidenced by the Brooklyn opening of Miss Ada. The pseudo Israeli stunner from a Lupa and Bar Bolonat vet offers Masabaha Hummus with charred ramps, Kebab Burgers moistened with bone marrow, and a slew of exciting cocktails — dig the “Once Upon a Thyme, comprised of herbs, gin and lime, and a perfumed Lavender Old Fashioned, finished with bourbon and orange peel.
Read MoreCoup
Drinks may command a steep $20, but it will be some of the best money you’ve spent, considering Ginger Beer Shandies, “Gin & Toxic Masculinities,” and “Equal Pay Rose” are formulated by a rotating roster of star mixologists, and help fund organizations in the crosshairs of Donald Trump.
Read MoreCannibal Liquor House
This spin-off of the carnivorous Cannibal holds its libations in equal esteem; partnering pork rinds, veal cheeks, bar steaks and burgers with traditional drinks elevated with fresh elements, a la the Strawberry Vesper, Sotol Swizzles with lime, mint and quince, and Harvey Wallbangers made with orange marmalade.
Read MoreLittle Mountain
The so-called “Smallest Bar in Brooklyn” (all of 270 square feet), packs a ton of ‘tude in a tiny space; utilizing two taps to turn out weather appropriate beverages, such as a Hibiscus Spritzer spiked with vodka or gin, and housemade alcoholic ginger beer, which can either be enjoyed straight or supplemented with rum, for an extra boozy Dark & Stormy.
Read More
Check out My Book – Try This
