Whether you’re celebrating the summer season or cozying up in the middle of the winter, there’s no time like the present for a delicious cocktail! We’ve rounded up our favorite cocktails inspired by various locations to transport you as you imbibe. Happy sipping!
The Destination: Nantucket
The Cocktail: Rio Calling
The Inspiration: “On vacation in Rio, I watched merchants set up their booths and muddle fresh fruit and spices to create the perfect Caipirinha. This is my take on the famed cocktail with a Nantucket spin. The name is a play on the Clash’s song ‘London Calling.’” — Carlos Hidalgo, co owner Cru
THE INGREDIENTS
• Crushed Ice
• 5oz of Cachace
• 2oz of Lime Juice
• 2 Whole Cloves
• 16 Raspberries
• 1/2oz Ginger Syrup
• 2 Lime Wheels
THE RECIPE
Fill 2 Collins glasses with crushed ice. Muddle the raspberries and cloves in a shaker. Add the Cachace, lime juice, and ginger syrup to the shaker. Shake well and strain into the two glasses filled with crushed ice. Garnish with the lime wheels and enjoy!
The Destination: Charleston
The Cocktail: Pineapple Julep
The Inspiration: “This sweet drink is a twist on a cocktail that was created by the legendary bartender Jerry Thomas in the 1860s. I replaced the juniper with bourbon for a more familiar julep.”— Jim McCourt, beverage director and co-owner of Prohibition
THE INGREDIENTS
• 1.5oz of Bourbon
• 1/2oz Raspberry Syrup
• 1/2oz Pineapple Jam
• 1 Lemon Wedge
• 1 Orange Slice
• Prosecco
THE RECIPE
Muddle the lemon and orange slices with the syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add the bourbon and pineapple jam, and shake for 10 seconds. Strain the cocktail into a julep cup filled with crushed ice and top it off with prosecco, and enjoy!
The Destination: The Berkshires, Mass
The Cocktail: Blueberry Mint Gin Sour
The Inspiration: “This cocktail is gin-forward with sweet, fruit notes. We create our drinks to highlight the spirits themselves.” — William Winn, one of Berkshire Mountain’s distillers
THE INGREDIENTS
• 2oz Gin
• 3/4oz Blueberry Simple Syrup
• 1/4oz Lemon Juice
• 1 Egg White
• Mint Leaves
• Blueberries
THE RECIPE
Muddle mint leaves with simple syrup in a shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and add the gin, lemon juice, and egg white. Shake vigorously for 20-30 seconds. Pour into a stemmed cocktail glass and garnish with fresh mint and blueberries.
The Destination: Barbados
The Cocktail: Gwen’s Rum Punch
The Inspiration: “Every spot on this sunny island I’m lucky to call home has its twist on this classic cocktail. This one is the best (and my favorite!)” —Kit Kemp, founder of The Firmdale Hotels
THE INGREDIENTS
• 1 cup of Lime Juice
• 2 Cups of Simple Syrup
• 1.5 Cups of Fruit Punch
• 3 Cups of Mount Gay Rum
THE RECIPE
For one pitcher: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Add ice and 4-5 dashes of Angostura bitters to each glass before serving. Garnish with a dash of nutmeg and tropical fruit.
The Destination: London
The Cocktail: The Lawbreaker
The Inspiration: “Our barman at Oscar’s Bar in the Charlotte Street Hotel makes this cocktail, and it is an absolute winner! It’s inspired by the famous English intellectuals called the Bloomsbury Group that were somewhat lawbreakers during their time!”
THE INGREDIENTS
• 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
• 3 tbsp Rye Whiskey
• Lemon Peel
• 1-⅔ tbsp Grenadine
• 1-⅓ tbsp French Vermouth
THE RECIPE
Fill half of a cocktail shaker with ice cubes then add whiskey, vermouth, grenadine, and lemon. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds, then strain into a coupe glass. Add lemon peel for garnish, and enjoy!
The Destination: Mexico
The Cocktail: The Perfect Paloma
The Inspiration: “It’s just as festive as a margarita but decidedly less sweet—which I love! I enjoy drinking this classic cocktail any time of year, but especially during the summer.”
THE INGREDIENTS
• 3tbsp Tequila
• 2tbsp Lime Juice
• 1tbsp Simple Syrup
• 4tbsp Grapefruit Juice / Soda
• Grapefruit Wedge
THE RECIPE
Fill a highball glass ¾ the way with ice. Pour tequila, lime juice, grapefruit juice, and simple syrup into the glass and stir for 10 seconds. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge, and enjoy!
The Destination: Aspen
The Cocktail: Smokey Negroni
The Inspiration: “A twist on the usual negroni, this swaps in mezcal for the usual gin for a rich, smoky flavor.”— Anjoleena Griffin-Holst, J Bar food, and beverage director
THE INGREDIENTS
• 1oz Mezcal
• 1oz Campari
• 1oz Sweet Vermouth
• Kosher Salt
• Cayenne Pepper
THE RECIPE
Stir together equal parts kosher salt and cayenne pepper in a shallow dish. Dip a lowball glass into a dish of sweet vermouth, then into the dish of cayenne salt for a peppery-edged rim. In another glass, combine Mezcal, Campari, and Vermouth and stir well. Then strain into the salt-rimmed glass, and enjoy!
The Destination: Palm Springs
The Cocktail: Wait, What Avocado?
The Inspiration: “Our lead bartender Zane Tessay had experimented with variations of this drink before bringing it to Seymour’s. When he made it and served it one night, the guest’s reaction was, ”Wait… What? Avocado?” The name stuck and it went on the menu.”– Steen Bojsen-Møller, co-owner and beverage director Seymour’s
THE INGREDIENTS
• 2oz Gin
• 3/4oz Lime Juice
• 1/2oz Simple Syrup
• 1 slice of Avocado
• 5-6 Mint Leaves
THE RECIPE
Muddle all ingredients together in a shaker with ice, and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Using a fine strainer, pour over fresh ice in a double old fashioned glass. Garnish with mint.
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