Checked out another selection at the Library!

The NoMad Library Delivers Again!

My friend Amber had her first visit to NYC this past holiday weekend. I wanted to give her a proper tour of the city: a cocktail tour! I introduced her to some of my favorites and we found some new spots together. Her first night here, we went to The NoMad Library (http://www.thenomadhotel.com/). I went to this spot several weeks ago for the first time and was really impressed. Also, I love that it is only a couple of blocks away from my apartment!

I ordered the Petticoat. It is a delicious blend of Sichuan peppercorn-infused gin, apricot liqueur, velvet falernum and lemon. The cocktail had a very clean profile and a nice lingering taste. I was worried it may have been too spicy but the peppercorn adds depth and balance to the drink. Yum!

Onto the next post!

Liz

 

Checking out the Library

Reading is Important. So are Incredible Cocktails!

I live near The NoMad Hotel and I have wanted to check out The Library (http://www.thenomadhotel.com/#!/dining/library) for cocktails. I had the perfect opportunity last night! I started with the Coffee Cocktail. 

The drink was made with Cognac, vintage port, demerara, egg and nutmeg. The drink was very tasty and not too heavy. Sort of like eggnog, but not. The non-alcoholic components definitely masked how strong the drink was, which was very!

The next drink I got was the Matchlock. The drink included rye, bourbon, absinthe, vanilla, grapefruit, ginger, lemon, and angostura bitters. Yum! After this drink, I was all done! The cocktails are $15 and well worth it. Expertly crafted and delicious. 

Until next time,

Liz

 

Went to Franklin Mortgage to get a Cocktail!

The City of Brotherly Love...and Strong Cocktails!

I just got back from an incredible weekend catching up with my best friend, Warren! We had a fantastic time catching up and were able to check out a speakeasy that was highly recommended: The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co (http://thefranklinbar.com/). The first drink I ordered (from the expansive cocktail list) was Lipstick Stains. The drink fell under "Rebellious Spirits" on the menu and was made with apple brandy, mezcal, lime and grapefruit juices, cinnamon syrup and bitters, served on crushed ice. 

The drink was SUPER delicious and complex. I loved it! I wanted to try something adventurous and noticed a man next to us ordered a fun looking drink with mint (something I tend to avoid). I asked our incredibly knowledgeable server what it was and she explained it was the Lily Dale Swizzle, which I promptly ordered.  I checked the menu and it falls under "Easy Going" drinks. It is something like an alcoholic root-beer based cocktail, made with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Zacapa 23 Rum, absinthe, lemon juice, ginger and cinnamon syrups, birch and sarsaparilla tinctures (sort of like an alcoholic extract). 

This drink was also a winner, though I wasn't surprised. If you're in Philly, I highly recommend checking out this wonderful spot near Rittenhouse Square. 

I head off tomorrow to start my internship! I am beyond excited! :)

Until next time, 

Liz

 

Three Wise Women at Wise Men

The First Meeting of the Ladies Drinking League!

Outside of Wise Men

Olivia, our fearless leader, selected Wise Men (http://www.wisemennyc.com/) as the first venue for our newly formed Ladies Drinking League. I snapped a photo of the venue's entrance because it really pops! I was walking up Bowery and had no idea where Wise Men was...that is until I saw the neon sign and lovely ladies on the wall. It definitely grabbed my attention. The styling inside is very sleek; a narrow space that certainly has a certain ambiance. As I waited for Olivia and Christine (the only "members" that could attend), I ordered a Caipirinha. It was ok at best. Typically the drink is shaken to properly mix the sugar, limes and cachaca. The bartender prepared the drink with a long spoon and it wasn't until I reached the end that I tasted all the sugary-goodness. 

My Drank

I was also hungry, so I ordered two tapas: the stuffed mushrooms (cremini mushrooms, sautéed onions, pecorino) and french fries (with horseradish crème). The tapas were ok, but nothing to write home about (but apparently enough to write on my blog). 

Overall, I don't think I'd come back here. I've had much better drinks and food at other places. 

Cheers!

Liz

 

Happily EVR After

Living it Up (with Liv)

Last night, I was able to encourage Liv to join me at EVR (http://evrnyc.com/) to celebrate our Brand Strategy success! It was an incredible experience to work on a school project for a company I know very well. I hope our recommendations will help EVR continue its growth! We started things off with our "go-to" EVR drink....

THE TOMATO BASIL MARTINI!!!!

I love love love that drink! After we had this, we were feeling adventurous. Typically, I avoid mint like the plague when I order cocktails. But, based on Carlos' recommendation (his lovely hand is featured above), I ordered the Vanilla Mint Julep. It contains Bourbon, Madagascar Vanilla, Cherry Heering, Mint and Lime. 

Vanilla Mint Julep

I love how the Julep is served! The metal "cup" and fresh sprig of mint really finish it off nicely. Even though the Derby was a couple of days ago, I felt like we were honoring it!

Definitely check out EVR!

xoxo,

Liz

 

Do you know Jacques?

The Drinks Are Downstairs!

My second trip to Jacques 1534 (http://www.jacques1534.com/) was fantastic. The drinks were on point. I love that this spot is cozy and takes reservations. This feature is not to be overlooked - if you're going to pay over $10 for a cocktail, sometimes you want to know you will have a seat! I love Cachaca, so I the Love Lost caught my eye. It features Cachaca, Rooibos Tea, lime juice, orgeat, honey syrup, cardamom and bitters. YUM!

Love Lost

I loved the presentation! The tiki glass was awesome. My grandmother always said that the glass changes how the drink tastes and I certainly agree! The orchid was a great detail too. 

Next, I continued with another Cachaca drink. Although it wasn't on the menu, the bartender was able to craft an excellent Caipirinha. The guy has skills.

Caipirinha

I would highly recommend this spot! Most of my reviews have been very positive, but I promise I give honest feedback! I haven't gone to any bad places recently - #winning. 

xoxo,

Liz

 

The (Blair Witch) Greenwich Project

Hidden Gem Close to Stern!

You know your life needs an intervention when a group of friends takes over 50 emails to schedule an evening together. A full-time MBA program is no joke. Once you add internships, relationships, and other obligations (like sleeping, exercise, remaining sane), you enter into a never-ending email chain of suggested dates and locations. We bit the bullet and scheduled drinks for tonight, after many of us were done with night class. It was aggressive and it perfectly suited this group of incredible friends. 

As we walked near campus (carrying super sexy backpacks doesn't encourage one to venture far), we found the Greenwich Project (https://www.facebook.com/GreenwichProjectNYC). We were ready for drinks!!!

Bklyn '76

My first cocktail was from the menu. It was a mix of gin, rosemary honey, lemon, sparkling wine and house lavender bitters. I loved it! I appreciated the balance of the drink and the other ingredients prevented the gin from tasting too junipery or pine needley (yes those are words!). The glass added to the experience; it was delicate and elevated. Just a class act.

I loved the cocktail menu. In case you didn't like the bartenders' suggested cocktails, there were general categories you could order from: boozy, sour, spicy, sweet, refreshing, etc. I thought this was clever and matched the general vibe of the place. A lot of customization and attention to detail. 

I decided to be adventurous (a current theme in my life) and let the bartender have free reign with a dessert cocktail. The server asked for general direction (what I didn't like and what I preferred) and then let the bartender take over! 

Bartender's Choice

My drink ended up including hazelnut liqueur, Grand Marnier, and heavy cream (I believe about 2 cups...woof). Although the taste of the cocktail was pleasant, it was far too heavy too enjoy. I should have been more clear that I wanted a sweet drink, not a glass of heavy cream. Either way, this is what happens when you live on the edge and through caution (and the menu) to the wind. 

I would consider coming back here for dinner. Among my group, we split the doughnut dessert and no-bake cheesecake. Both were great, although the filing in the doughnuts led to questionable consumption. It was a bit...well, order it and let me know!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Want Anything Elsa?

New Favorite Spot!

Last night, I visited a fantastic cocktail bar, suggested by my very cute date. I don't tend to venture to Alphabet City (something about the street names turning into letters is intimidating). I need to start expanding my horizons by including this in my go-to neighborhoods. What Elsa lacks in a website, it makes up for in lovely cocktails (the spot does have a Facebook though, https://www.facebook.com/elsabarnyc. While I waited for my date, I ordered two drinks...for research!

Black Book 

This feisty and spicy cocktail is a mix of bourbon, jalapeno, honey, lemon, cinnamon, and cardamom. It is simply divine. I'd recommend it to anyone that wants to try a bourbon based cocktail with a little character. Next...onto something a bit smoky...

Death of a Ladies' Man

With this choice, I was adventurous. Sometimes, trying new things doesn't pay off, this was one of those times. The drink was a bit too smoky for me! The ingredients included: rye, maple, Laphroaig 10 yr old scotch, lemon and tobacco bitters. This experience taught me once again that I'm not a huge fan of scotch or tobacco (but I knew that). Once my date arrived (I got there a little early...research!), I ordered a sweet drink.

Two French Sisters

This drink is my JAM. A dreamy blend of vodka, St. Germain, lemon, orange bitters, and topped with Champagne. If I hadn't already had 2 (strong) drinks, I would have ordered another one of these babies. 

I highly recommend discovering the cocktail menu at Elsa. It is a great place to spend some time, especially on a great first date!

xoxo,

Liz

 

Spring has Sprung

Spring Pear at EVR

The new Spring mixology menu has arrived and is it "EVR" (http://evrnyc.com/) so tasty! During one of the recent Cocktailing events (on Wednesday After Work), I ordered the Spring Pear. It is a dangerously tasty combination of pear vodka, spices, sage, maraschino liqueur, lime and agave. By dangerous, I mean, you order two and may forget that it even is Spring or that you're at a bar and not transported to a magically wonderful place. I love seasonal cocktails and this hit the spot - get after it, as my friend Lauren would say. 

Cheers,

Liz

 

It's Warm Out, so Order a Hot Toddy

Hot Toddy at Lexington Bar & Books

Prior to a (horrific!!!) speed dating event with Liv several weeks ago, we grabbed a drink at Lexington Bar & Books (http://www.barandbooks.cz/lexington/). From the Winter Warmers menu (in April obviously), I ordered the Hot Toddy. The drink was a mix of Bushmills Irish Honey, orange liqueur  lemon juice, honey and "spices". The location is a total swank shop. There is doorbell (ah classy!) and the service is top notch. I would note that it is a cigar bar (somehow it has the permits to allow smoking), so be forewarned if you hate the smell of smoke. 

Happy Drinking!

Liz

 

The Bourbon Diaries

Rye House's "Sylvia" is a Hot Lady

I went to Rye House (http://www.ryehousenyc.com/) this weekend and ordered a cocktail that featured a bourbon I've heard great things about: Four Roses. The cocktail is called Sylvia and features Four Roses Yellow Label Bourbon, Aperol, lime and sugar cane syrup. The drink was a fantastic way for me to try more dark spirits but also stick to the sweet profile I tend to prefer. If you're in Union Square (or waiting to get called off the list for Raines Law Room), this is a winning spot. 

My photo of the drink isn't the best so I didn't post, but it's served up (shaken with ice that is then strained out) in a beautiful glass. Also, it is best enjoyed with a good friend, like my little nugget Jessica.

Cheers!

Liz

 

Tomato Basil Martini at EVR

A Cocktail with Vegetables Counts, Right?

As my friends will confirm, I am normally a sweet cocktail gal. But....in the interest of research, I have been ordering outside of my wheelhouse. This brought me to the Tomato Basil Martini at EVR, a newly opened lounge on 54 W 39th St (www.evrnyc.com). The cocktail is an extremely well-balanced mix of cherry tomatoes, basil-infused gin, and Lillet Blanc. The spirits are complemented by habanero, agave, lime and a Himalayan salt rim. 

In general, I'd recommend visiting EVR...of course I'm biased since I am currently interning there..but I would not steer you the wrong way! The space is beautiful, the cocktails are works of art and the food is delicious! Monday through Friday, EVR has a Happy Hour from 5-8pm. The drinks tend to be pricier (as mixology places tend to be), but the Happy Hour is a great time to test out the place and sample the food. You can follow EVR on Twitter @EVR_NYC for updates on events. 

What are you drinking tonight?

Liz