The Top Craft co*cktail Recipes from Bars Across America
Crafted co*cktails are all the rage now. Fresh produce is making its way from farmers markets into specialty artisanal co*cktails in bars across the U.S. The hand-crafted co*cktail movement involves the use of fresh ingredients, homemade mixers and premium liquors, as well as proper ice. Yes, they may be more work, but the end result of a fresh and flavorful libation certainly justifies the means.
We’ve compiled GAYOT’s list of Top 10 co*cktails handcrafted at some of the best bars nationwide by top mixologists. If you want to try to make them at home, we’ve also included the co*cktail recipes, too. So, even if you don’t live near these cities, you can still try your hand at mixing these top craft co*cktails.
> For more co*cktail recipes to mix at home, give one of these classic co*cktails a try. And be sure to peruse our Complete Guide to Spirits for a detailed look at the best liquors available.
1. Apple Julep
Try this fruity take on the Mint Julep.
INGREDIENTS:
– 2 oz. cinnamon and apple infused bourbon
– 1/2 oz. rock candy syrup
– 1/2 oz. fresh sweet and sour mix
– Club soda
– 10 fresh spearmint leaves
– 2-3 thin slices of a red delicious apple
METHOD:
• Muddle mint leaves with rock candy syrup and apple in the bottom of mixing glass.
• Add ice, bourbon infusion, sweet and sour mix and club soda to mixing glass.
• Gently rock back and forth to combine ingredients.
• Drop into a highball glass.
• Add additional ice as needed.
• Garnish with a mint sprig.
> Courtesy of ARTISAN LOUNGE, Las Vegas, NV, U.S.A.
2. Autumn Thyme
Fall into autumn with this co*cktail.
INGREDIENTS:
– 2 oz. vodka
– 3/4 oz. lime juice
– 3/4 oz. simple syrup
– 7 raspberries
– 2 thyme sprigs
– 1 dash Fee Brothers peach bitters
METHOD:
• Muddle raspberries.
• Combine vodka, lime juice, simple syrup, raspberries, bitters and one thyme sprig in mixer and shake well.
• Strain over crushed ice in a rocks glass and add second thyme sprig for garnish.
> Courtesy of Bar Pleiades, The Surrey, New York, NY, U.S.A.
> Check out GAYOT’s Wine of the Week.
3. Chartreuse Swizzle
Go green with this citrus-centric co*cktail.
INGREDIENTS:
– 1 1/4 oz. green chartreuse
– 1/2 oz. velvet falernum*
– 3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
– 1 oz. fresh pineapple juice
*Falernum is a classic cordial from Barbados that is often rum-based and includes the flavors of lime, ginger, cloves and almonds.
METHOD:
• Combine all ingredients in a tall glass.
• Add crushed ice and stir.
• Garnish with grated nutmeg and mint sprig.
> Courtesy of Clock Bar, The Westin St. Francis, San Francisco, CA, U.S.A.
4. Claret Swizzle
Get tropical with this tiki co*cktail.
INGREDIENTS:
– 1 oz. rum
– 1 oz. Bordeaux Wine Falernum*
– 1 dash Angostura Bitters
– 1 oz. fresh lime juice
– 1 oz. fresh orange juice
– 1 oz. fresh pineapple juice
*Bordeaux Wine Falernum
Reduce 1 bottle of Bordeaux blend red wine over medium heat down to 50% with the zest of 6 limes, 20 whole cloves, 2 oz. lime juice and 1 cup of chopped ginger. Once the wine has been reduced, take off heat and allow to cool. Use cheese cloth to strain and make sure to squeeze out the last bits. Add 1 tsp. of almond extract and sweeten the remaining liquid with an equal amount of sugar.
METHOD:
• Add all ingredients to a tiki mug or large glass and fill with crushed ice.
• Swizzle to mix and top with additional crushed ice.
• Then top with 1 ounce of dry red wine.
• Garnish with a lime and brandied cherry.
> Courtesy of Naga, Bellevue, WA, U.S.A.
5. Fox Rose Fizz
Wind down with this whiskey-based co*cktail.
INGREDIENTS:
– 2 oz. bonded rye whiskey
– 1 1/2 oz. club soda
– 1/2 oz. ginger syrup
– 1/2 oz. honey syrup
– 3/4 lemon juice
– 2 dashes Regan’s Orange bitters
– 2 dashes Angostura bitters
– 2 slices orange
METHOD:
• Muddle oranges with bitters, juice and syrups in a shaker.
• Add whiskey.
• Fill with ice.
• Shake to chill.
• Strain over fresh ice in tall Collins glass.
• Top with soda.
• Garnish with flamed orange peel.
> Courtesy of DRINKSHOP, W – Atlanta Downtown, Atlanta, GA, U.S.A.
6. Kissyomama
Add some spice to your palate with this hot co*cktail.
INGREDIENTS:
– 1 1/2 oz. tequila
– 1/2 oz. Domaine de Canton
– 1 oz. mango purée
– 2 drops El Yucateco Green Hot Sauce
– 4 Thai basil leaves
– 3/4 oz. lime juice
– 1/4 oz. simple syrup
METHOD:
• Shake all ingredients (including three basil leaves) with ice.
• Strain in martini glass.
• Garnish with remaining Thai basil leaf.
> Courtesy of: Mercadito, Chicago, IL, U.S.A.
7. Lucy Leave
Whip up this delectably fruity co*cktail.
INGREDIENTS:
– 2 oz. raspberry infused brandy
– 1/2 oz. Lillet
– 1/2 oz. demerara sugar
– Cucumber slices
– Orange slices
– 1 raspberry
METHOD:
• Muddle orange slice and cucumber.
• Shake and strain into Collins glass filled with crushed ice.
• Garnish with fresh ice, an orange slice and a raspberry.
> Courtesy of: The Franklin, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
8. Pisco Nuevo
The lychees are the highlight of this co*cktail, originally created by Sra Martinez in Miami.
INGREDIENTS:
– 1 1/2 oz. Pisco
– 1/2 oz. St.-Germain
– 1 oz. lychee syrup (simple syrup infused with lychees)
– 2 lychees
– Juice of 1 orange
METHOD:
• In a co*cktail shaker, combine lychee, orange juice, St.-Germain and pisco.
• Then add lychee syrup to mix and muddle.
• Shake well and strain into rocks glass with crushed ice.
• Garnish with an orange slice.
> Courtesy of: Sra Martinez, Miami, FL, U.S.A.
9. The Last Tango in Modena
This co*cktail is berry delicious.
INGREDIENTS:
– 2 oz. gin
– 1 oz. 25-year-old aged Balsamic vinegar
– 3-4 medium strawberries
– St.-Germain foam
*Foam: Add 1 cup St.-Germain, 1 cup egg whites and 1 oz. fresh lime juice into an iSi charger and charge it twice with N2O and shake well.
METHOD:
• Muddle strawberries with Balsamic vinegar.
• Add gin and shake.
• Strain over ice and top with St.-Germain foam.
> Courtesy of: Library Bar, The Hollywood Roosevelt, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.
10. The Rose Hinted Glass
Sip and savor this refined co*cktail.
INGREDIENTS:
– 2 oz. Cognac
– 3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
– 10 drops rose water
– 2 mint leaves
– 3/4 oz. Fennel Tea Syrup
*Fennel Tea Syrup
Add 1 tablespoon fennel seed to 1 cup hot water and steep 5-8 minutes and strain. Add 1 cup of sugar to tea and let cool.
METHOD:
• Combine all ingredients.
• Shake and double strain.
• Garnish with mint leaf.
> Courtesy of: Cure, New Orleans, LA, U.S.A.
