If New Yorkers were forced to only drink within their own borders, not only would it be possible — it would be pleasurable. The Empire State is home to dozens (and growing) of standout distilleries, and in case you thought the good stuff is tricky to find, think again.
One of our favorite spots to sip local drinks is Nick & Toni’s Café on the Upper West Side. Here you’ll find a stellar selection of seasonally-inspired cocktails that make some of our favorite spirits shine. See for yourself:
1. The Seelbach
Hillrock Estate Distillery bourbon, Cointreau, Gruet Blanc de Noirs, Fee Brothers aromatic bitters, Bitter Truth Creole bitters
2. The Old-Timey
Perry’s Tot gin from New York Distilling Company, Bittermens Commonwealth Cordial, lime wedge
3. The Nouveau
Greenhook Ginsmiths American Dry gin, Fever Tree tonic water, Dutch’s Spirits Prohibitters, lemon twist
4. Horse’s Neck
Breuckelen Distilling‘s 77 rye and corn whiskey, Q ginger ale, lemon twist
5. The Finest
Barr Hill Gin, Q tonic water, Fee Brothers orange bitters, lime ice, lime twist
6. The Big Apple
Prohibition Distillery Bootlegger 21 vodka, American Fruits apple liqueur, Prospect Hills Orchard apple cider, and dried apple with a cinnamon-sugar rim
7. The Best Is Yet to Plum
Greenhook Ginsmiths beach plum liqueur, local basil, organic agave nectar, fresh lime, Q tonic water
8. A New York Sazerac
Delaware Phoenix Distillery’s rye whiskey and Meadow of Love absinthe superieur, Bitter Truth Creole bitters, lemon twist
9. New-Fangled
Catocin Creek Roundstone rye, American Fruits sour cherry cordial, Fee Brothers orange bitters, raw sugar rim
10. More than Meets the Eye
Prohibition Distillery Bootlegger 21 vodka, Flag Hill cranberry liqueur, Seagram’s club soda, lime wedge
11. Gibson Takes the A Train
Brooklyn Republic vodka, Vya dry vermouth, Horman’s cipollini onion
12. Apples and Oranges
Black Dirt Distillery apple jack, Vya sweet vermouth, Bittermens orange cream citrate, orange twist
13. Aged Negroni
Finger Lakes Distilling Seneca Drums Gin, Vya sweet vermouth, Campari, Fee Brothers orange bitters
14. Greenmarket Berry Rosado (strawberries are still a little ways out, so this drink will return to the menu when berries are at market)
Greenmarket berries, Prohibition Distillery Bootlegger 21 vodka, rosé, club soda, lemon
Cocktail photo credit: Clay Williams
Lead image credit: Eric Striffler
This post is sponsored by TasteNY.
