Cocktails
658 recipes found
Sake Sunrise
Grapefruit Cooler
This is a rare vodka drink from Audrey Saunders, who was once famous for eschewing the flavorless spirit at her celebrated New York cocktail bar, Pegu Club. In keeping with her exacting style, the drink has been painstakingly workshopped down to the last dash of bitters. The combination of grapefruit-flavored vodka, a special grapefruit syrup and a grapefruit twist produces a bright complexity of flavor that one doesn’t expect from a vodka cocktail. And the honey syrup adds a sweet note familiar to anyone who has ever drizzled a line of honey onto her morning grapefruit.
Victorian Gin Punch
Here is a punch to mix with the more flavorful American gins, from a recipe provided to The Times by the drinks historian David Wondrich. His cocktails are light and summery, and a refreshing change from the usual gin and tonic. This recipe makes 20 servings.
Silver King
Jasmine
Jardin Fresca
As advertised, there’s quite a bit of the garden in this drink: elderflowers from the St. Germain; artichoke, rhubarb and other flavors from the Cynar; as well jalapeño, celery and cucumber. The celery bitters hit your nose and taste buds first, while the pepper-infused tequila leaves you with a pleasant, lasting kick. The cocktail is easy to drink, but never dull.
Hendrick's Gin Gibson
Muddy Puddle
Thai Basil Bliss
The Snack Bar Pitcher
Apple Martini
Red Snapper (Bloody Mary)
Cool Vanilla Latte
Eye of the Komodo
My friend Michael Sharkey is one of the best home bartenders I know, and he sometimes surprises me with delicious new creations when I visit. His latest is the Eye of the Komodo (he originally christened it Ojo del Komodo — but I botched and Anglicized it, probably because I think the Eye of the Komodo sounds more like a ‘60s horror movie). Built on a foundation of what Michael calls “lizard liquid” and fortified by mezcal, it is bright green, satisfyingly spicy and garnished with a vegetal “eyeball.” What’s not to love?
White Linen
This refreshing drink was created by the bartender Rene Dominguez and popularized in the '00s at the Shady Lady Saloon in Sacramento. It has become so popular in the city that a canned version was released in 2017.
Bamboo Shot
The Bamboo Shot takes the famous 19-century sherry cocktail and turns it into a shot. The original Bamboo — sherry, dry vermouth and a few drops of orange and Angostura bitters — is credited to the German bartender Louis Eppinger of the Grand Hotel in Yokohama, Japan. Dry and complex, it looks and tastes like a high-proof drink, but the low-A.B.V. ingredients keep its impact in check, making it an ideal shot to start a celebration — or a Tuesday night. Eating briny, buttery Castelvetrano olives as a chaser completes the shot experience — and helps round out the drink’s drier tones.
Too Hot to Hoot Punch
This splendidly summery concoction is proof that punch, often associated with fall and winter holidays, can be made seasonal with the delicate spring sweetness of strawberries, and summery with the tropical tang of limes. Sure, you could settle for a vodka base, but bourbon adds a marvelous backbone of vanilla richness. Or make it without alcohol and serve at a children’s party.
Tequila: Paloma
The paloma gives a starring role to the grapefruit, using its juice and garnishing with a beautiful wedge. It can be made with regular old grapefruit, but it also be made more festive by using a ruby-red grapefruit.
Screaming Greenie
Redemption has arrived for the frozen drink, which in the late 20th century all but ruined the reputation of the daiquiri and margarita as serious cocktails. Absinthe provides a note of anise to this refreshing, verdant beverage. Just don’t drink it too quickly — brain freeze is a real thing.
The Vesper
Gin or vodka? The Vesper — which first appeared in Ian Fleming’s novel ‘‘Casino Royale’’ — lets you have it both ways. Lillet stands in for its close cousin, dry vermouth. I normally stir rather than shake, but, in this case, I defer to James Bond.
Jamaican Margarita
Hibiscus started showing up in New York City cocktails around 2010, jazzing up drinks with its fuchsia hue and tropical perfume. This one, adapted from the bar at Hecho en Dumbo in the East Village, takes advantage of jarred hibiscus syrup and top-shelf silver tequila to create a kind of Jamaican-Mexican melange. The wild hibiscus blossom specified at the end of the recipe? Entirely optional!
The Fitty Spot
For a Valentine, a cocktail made with rum — and a fulsome one — plays the obvious lead. This recipe calls for, Zacapa Centenario, a magnificent 23-year-old Guatemalan rum aged in an unusual Solera system employing both bourbon and sherry casks. Just as viable would be any of a dozen less pricey amber or añejo rums, like Pampero Aniversario, St. James Hors d’Age, Flor de Caña’s Centenario 12-year, Pyrat XO or Plantation’s 5-year Barbados. The drink also includes flavors of hibiscus, tangerine, lemon and pineapple.
Yellow Desert Rose