Gigantic Cocktails
By Lucy Cohen Blatter, New York
The rest of America may overindulge with SUVs and McMansions, but New York gets straight to the point--with ridiculously sized cocktails. In this city of fishbowl-sized mixed drinks and beer towers, it's a miracle any of us can walk straight. So, drink up--no amateurs allowed!
Volcano Blast at Otto's Shrunken Head
Most of the patrons at this dive bar-cum-tiki lounge stick to nursing beers, but in keeping with its tropical theme Otto's offers this oversized rum and fruit juice concoction with more garnishes than a fruit salad (pineapple, orange slices and maraschino cherries). The Blast is served in what looks like a chips and dip bowl, then set aflame--along with your dignity.
Otto's Shrunken Head
538 E 14th St,
New York,
NY
Swamp Water at Brother Jimmy's
This barbecue and brew chain’s signature oversized drink combines vodka, melon liqueur, Sprite, pineapple juice, sour mix and a splash of grenadine. It also comes complete with a takeaway plastic alligator that is sure to grow increasingly amusing with every sip.
Brother Jimmy's BBQ
| Website
428 Amsterdam Ave,
New York,
NY
Mixed Drinks in Pint Glasses at Finnerty's
The local Irish bar has shed its dingy, old-man-pub persona after relocating from Third Avenue to a newer, larger space with a dart room, foosball, pool tables and flat-screen TVs. But while bankers and NYU students are the new regulars, the booze is still tailored to suit the old-timey crowd--by the pint.
Finnerty's Irish Pub
221 2nd Ave,
New York,
NY
Fishbowl Cocktails at Porky's
Big drinks are the big draw at this raucous spring break-style bar. Six brightly colored, super-sweet cocktails--with names like Alligator Piss and the Bachelorette--are served in fishbowls, and every drink is also available in a yard-long plastic glass. Just don’t be surprised when people start behaving like pigs.
Porky's NYC
| Website
55 W 21st St,
New York,
NY
Shaker Cocktails at Pete's Candy Store
A hip crowd may head to this former sweet shop for the daily live music, but they stay for the drinks. Expertly mixed cocktails (like the Ginger Sour or Nuts and Berries) are served in full-sized shakers, giving each drinker roughly three beverages for the price of one on every round.
Pete's Candy Store
709 Lorimer St,
Brooklyn,
NY
96 Ounces of Beer at Mudville 9
A so-called beer tower holds 96 ounces of beer (equivalent to one and a half pitchers), and can be filled with any of the 26 international and domestic brews on tap at this downtown wings and suds joint.
Mudville 9
126 Chambers St,
New York,
NY
