Rare Cocktails
By Justine Goodman, Nightlife Editor
If you want a Jack and Coke, simply pick a bar, any bar. But if you want a drink that'll wow even the most cultured cocktail connoisseur, head to one of these top New York drinking spots, where the offerings range from unusual and exotic to downright bizarre.
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Tailor
525 Broome St, New York, NY
Creative dishes like peanut butter foie gras helped build an early buzz at this trendy Soho spot, and thanks to an equally creative cocktail menu, Tailor is helping drinkers build a buzz of their own. Their Mushroom Margarita is made with huitalacoche mezcal, triple sec, lime juice and lava salt. If fungus-based drinks aren't your bag, perhaps the Bazooka--made with vodka, bubble gum cordial and house-made sour mix--will be more to your liking. -
Rise Bar
2 West St, New York, NY
While all the summery drinks at this Lower Manhattan hotel bar are satisfying, the Sangria D' Cava stands out thanks to its authentic island flair. The standard fresh fruit and wine combo gets a makeover with the addition of cava, a mild tranquilizer--yes, tranquilizer--that's popular in the Pacific. Now you can drink your pain away, literally and figuratively. -
Mai House
186 Franklin St, New York, NY
This retro-styled Tribeca eatery dishes out Vietnamese fusion and out-of-this-world cocktails, like the popular Tiger Tail, made with Absolut Peppar vodka, triple sec, passion fruit puree and Thai chile. For the less adventurous, there's the Delta Dream: Stoli Vanil vodka mixed with mangosteen puree. It may sound simple, but ask for a mangosteen cocktail at most neighborhood bars, and what you're likely to get is a Bud Light--after the bartender stops laughing at you. -
PDT
113 St Marks Pl, New York, NY
Unlike many other East Village bars, this modern-day speakeasy (nestled inside Crif Dogs) doesn't pander to the drunken collegiate set. Still, PDT's Cinema Highball cocktail, made with popcorn-infused rum mixed with Coca-Cola, may be a drink only a film student could love. -
B Flat
277 Church St, New York, NY
At this Asian-inflected Tribeca spot, "bar chefs" whip up exotic libations like The Groovy, which features shiso-infused vodka and yuzu juice, garnished with a shiso leaf and then cooled with hand-chiseled ice chunks. The bar also intends to roll out several new concoctions (like the Cannon Ball, made with pepper-infused vodka, yuzu pepper and soy sauce) in the near future. -
Employees Only
510 Hudson St, New York, NY
Though this stylish West Village spot is known for serving perfectly made cocktail classics, don't accuse these pro mixologists of failing to think outside the booze box. The Mata Hari consists of Courvoisier-brand cognac, shaken with chai-infused vermouth and freshly squeezed pomegranate juice. Not quite sweet enough? Try the Kumquat Sangaree, made with Mumm Demi-Sec champagne, candied kumquats and allspice. -
Lima's Taste Ceviche Bar
122 Christopher St, New York, NY
To sample a classic South American drink without the hassle of traveling, order a Maracuya (passion fruit) Pisco Sour at this West Village resto. Made out of regional brandy, lemon juice, egg whites, simple syrup and bitters, it goes down easy and kicks in quick.
