From hidden speakeasies to trendy hotspots, New York City is a prime destination for specialty sips.
By Jackie Adams
Beauty and Essex
At Beauty and Essex, opulence is the norm: Glittering chandeliers hang in the stairwell and a private bartender waits to pour sparkling Champagne in the ladies’ room. Located on the trendy Lower East Side, this new sister restaurant of Stanton Social can only be accessed through a vintage antique shop lobby. The inviting earth-toned rooms are home to a carefully crafted libations menu. Many drinks are named after precious baubles—Emerald Gimlet, Ruby Mojito—but the shining jewel this summer is the Beauty Elixir, a light post-shopping spritzer made with crisp Oxley gin and an exciting blend of cucumber and strawberry. Perfect for New York fashionistas, it’s topped off with a bubbly sparkling rose. (212-614-0146; beautyandessex.com)
BONDST
Nothing says decadent like drinks concocted with artisan craftsmanship. BONDST, housed in a SoHo-style brownstone, serves its Japanese-inspired fare with flair, while worldly mixologists blend together the best ingredients from different cultures for truly compelling cocktails. This summer, relax with one of BONDST’s exclusively specialty cocktails: the Sweet Saketini. This drink combines two popular types of Japanese alcohol, sake and plum wine, for a traditional flavor with a sweet upgrade. This pink delight is then garnished with a twist of lime and served in a martini glass as the ultimate beverage. (212-777-2500; bondstrestaurant.com)
Apothéke
This apothecary-themed bar is based on the captivating absinthe dens of 19th century Paris. Small touches like a back bar filled with antique medicine bottles offer striking details that add an air of authenticity. All of the drinks are handcrafted using fresh ingredients from either local organic vendors or from the bar’s own rooftop herb garden. This season, the favored “prescription” is the Mayan Summer. Taking a fresh twist on a traditional margarita, this cocktail blends a smoky mezcal with cucumber, cilantro and lime with a dash of habanero bitters for experience to remember. (212-406-0400; apothekenyc.com) B
