New Year’s Cocktails
From the Hemingway Bar at the Ritz, Paris
Typically, the Sidecar at the Ritz Hotel in Paris—home of the original—costs a pretty penny, as the bartenders there use an 1865 Ritz Reserve cognac which is exclusive to the hotel. Since it’s not everyday that you have 800 Euros at your disposal for a cocktail, I’ve modified the recipe.
The Hemingway Bar
Hôtel Ritz Paris
15, Place de Vendôme
Paris, France
+33.143.16.31.78
The Everyman’s Sidecar
This prohibition-era cocktail is a classic for good reason, and comes to us straight from one of the world’s most iconic bars, the Hemingway Bar at The Ritz in Paris.
From Jim Meehan of PDT
PDT (or Please Don’t Tell) is hidden behind a phonebooth at the hot dog joint, Crif Dogs in the East Village in Manhattan. Once in, you’re transported into what feels like a prohibition era speakeasy—dark, mysterious, and rife with taxidermy. The added plus here is that you can order gourmet hot dogs that have as much of a twist as the drinks. Jim Meehan, the man behind the bar, concocts potions that are “seasonal, classic inspired, balanced, sessionable.”
PDT
113 Saint Marks Place
New York, NY 10009
(212) 614-0386
pdtnyc.com
Cranberry Cobbler
From the PDT bar menu: Cranberries are the last seasonal berries available before winter settles into the Northeast. Around Thanksgiving, we decided to use ours to make a classic cobbler, fortified with English gin and a historic style of off-dry Sherry.
Green Deacon
Jim says this is based on the Rosy Deacon, a classic cocktail from the Stan Jones’ Complete Bar Guide. Upon sampling it, a friend suggested he “round it out” which is when the absinthe came in. As he puts it, “The Green Fairy did the rest.”
From Eric Alperin of The Varnish, Los Angeles
Eric Alperin built and co-owns The Varnish cocktail in downtown LA, which is located inside of Cole’s restaurant through a secret door at the back. The vibe here is intimate and the drinks are crafted by expert bartenders including Eric himself. Order a sandwich to go at the restaurant and then make your way into the bar.
The Varnish
118 E. 6th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90014
213.622.9999
The Irish Meow
Eric Alperin built and co-owns this cocktail lounge in downtown LA, which is hidden inside of Cole’s restaurant (it’s through a secret door at the back). The vibe here is intimate and the drinks are crafted by expert bartenders including Eric himself. Order a sandwich to go at the restaurant and then make your way into the bar.
The Late Night Orange Reviver
Eric Alperin built and co-owns this cocktail lounge in downtown LA, which is hidden inside of Cole’s restaurant (there’s a secret door at the back). The vibe here is intimate and the drinks are crafted by expert bartenders including Eric himself. Order a sandwich to go at the restaurant and then make your way into the bar.
From Shana Street of Church & State, Los Angeles
I’ve raved about Church & State on goop before for it’s mind-blowing drinks and delectable food. It looks like the drinks here have come to a whole new level of amazingness judging by the recipes bartender Shana Street has shared. Owner Yassmin Sarmadi tells me it was the “Raising the Bar” mixology competition in LA that really got them thinking outside the box (or the glass). Below are two wintry cocktails and a bonus—The Strumble, winner of the competition.
Church & State
1850 Industrial St.
Los Angeles, CA 90021
213.405.1434
Not Your Grandma’s Apple Pie
An inventive update of a childhood favorite; now it’s a grownup cocktail in a glass brimming with nostalgia. I’ve raved about Church & State on goop before for it’s mind-blowing drinks and delectable food. It looks like the drinks here have come to a whole new level of amazingness judging by the recipes bartender Shana Street has shared. Owner Yassmin Sarmadi tells me it was the “Raising the Bar” mixology competition in LA that really got them thinking outside the box (or the glass).
Crémant A La Poire
This has been a favorite on Church & State’s cocktail list and will be great through early winter when pears are in season. I’ve raved about Church & State on goop before for it’s mind-blowing drinks and delectable food. It looks like the drinks here have come to a whole new level of amazingness judging by the recipes bartender Shana Street has shared. Owner Yassmin Sarmadi tells me it was the “Raising the Bar” mixology competition in LA that really got them thinking outside the box (or the glass).
The Strumble
I’ve raved about Church & State on goop before for it’s mind-blowing drinks and delectable food. It looks like the drinks here have come to a whole new level of amazingness judging by the recipes bartender Shana Street has shared. Owner Yassmin Sarmadi tells me it was the “Raising the Bar” mixology competition in LA that really got them thinking outside the box (or the glass).
Note
New York’s Astor Wines & Spirits is a great source for some of the more obscure ingredients, and they ship! In London, Gerry’s has all the hard-to-find ingredients for when you’re in a squeeze.