Featured Request of the Day!

Request:  Cocktails on the UES - great for a date!

EE's Recommendations

JBird Cocktails
Photo: New York Press

1. ABV 1504 Lexington Avenue nr. 97th St. Uptown, we know but your date will marvel at this choice for sure. This is a new addition to the UES and the wine and cocktail list are worth the shoe leather to get up there. The Piedmont Fizz and the Sippy Cup are excellent choices and if you guys are going the vino route, prices by the glass range from $5-$8. And they are GOOD. If you get the munchies, the food does not disappoint with a hearty selection of meats, cheeses and wood-fired pizzas.

2. JBird Cocktails 339 East 75th Street nr. 1st Ave. This hidden speakeasy is an offshoot of the Midtown location that has been around for years. If cocktails are your flavor, this is the place to be. Dimly lit, romantic, and the barkeeps know what they are doing. A full menu of fizzes, sours and old favorites fill the list - the Imperial March is my personal favorite. Yummy eats also available into the wee hours. 

3. Earl's Beer and Cheese 1259 Park Avenue nr. 97th St. We know - such a random location and your date might be like "whaaaa?!" but it makes this hidden gem extra special. Why is Earl's the hottest spot on the UES these days? Well, you feel like you're instantly transported to Williamsburg and are one among the BK-lookin' crowd. Very relaxed vibe for a more low key date night. If you two are beer drinkers this is the place - the beer list is no joke with several delicious options on tap, and the small plates are AWESOME. The Asian gnocci and beef? Such a treat. 

Cool Off! Summertime Cocktails in NYC

Our favorite barkeeps around town have created some seriously worthy seasonal beverages. When that humidity starts to kick into high gear and you don't know where to turn, refer to this list for instant cooling effects. I can't think of a better way to fight off the humidity then sipping on a cold beverage of something...and I'm not talking lemonade. Sometimes, you just need a cocktail. Hop into one of our favorite watering holes and grab a seat - these tasty libations are sure to cool you off in no time.
By Joleen Zanuzoski, Editor

ABV's Piedmont Fizz
Photo: Kathy Blake, The Experimental Gourmand 

ABV, Piedmont Fizz $9
1504 Lexington Avenue nr. 97th St. 
This new uptown gem serves up one of the most refreshing libations around - the Piedmont Fizz is served in a generous highball and filled to the brim with a white aperitif Italian wine (Cocci Americano), fennel, lemon and club soda. Sit back on the patio and watch the world go by.

The Tippler, Top Cat $10
425 West 15th Street nr. Tenth Ave.
This recent Chelsea addition to the cocktail scene is mixing things up in a big way and the Top Cat is a perfect summertime fruity sipper to get the night started. Sicilian liquor Averna amaro, fresh strawberries, lemon and Fanta Orange soda. Hello, summer.

Apotheke's Fresh Start
Photo: Christina Garofalo, Robb Report

Apotheke, Fresh Start $13
9 Doyers Street #1 nr. Bowery
What could be more refreshing on a hot summer's eve than a libation called a Fresh Start? It's perfection all around - carrot, celery, gin, oregano essence, ginger, agave nectar and lime. It's even in the health & beauty section of the lengthy Apotheke menu - think of this cocktail as naughty juicing.

ABC Kitchen, Rhubarb Cosmopolitan $14 
35 East 18th Street nr. Broadway
Rhubarb straight from some New York farmer that has been muddled into your martini glass, mixed with comb honey vodka and cointreau. It will be difficult to swallow one of those diluted cranberry juice concoctions once again after you taste this seasonal version - we have to say it's far superior to the classic.

Red Rooster's Rooster Punch
Photo: Marcus Samuelsson 

Red Rooster, Rooster Punch $15
310 Lenox Avenue nr. 125th St. 
Sit out on the amazing patio in the middle of bustling Harlem as you sip on Chef Marcus Samuelsson's special punch concoction (red wine, brandy, orange liqueur and fresh citrus). Feeling saucy? Order the pitcher of punch for $56 and forget about any plans you made for the rest of the day. Yes, it sure does pack a punch.

Demi Monde's Gun Metal Cocktail
Photo: Scott James Teague

Demi Monde, Gun Metal $14

90 Broad Street nr. Stone St. 

FiDi - you're getting so hip we can hardly keep up! The much anticipated opening by Alex Day and David Kaplan (founders of Death & Co.) has finally arrived and we are that much better (and tipsy) because of it. Hands down, the most summery and refreshing (read: girly) is the Gun Metal - gin, watermelon blanc, bitters and absinthe mist. What could be better than an absinthe mist in the dog days of summer? Not much.


The Rusty Knot, Rusty Knot $8
425 West Street nr. W. 11th Street
This nautical-inspired dive on the West Side Highway serves up the most tropical of cocktails, all with a tiki theme. The signature drink of the house is a frozen Trinidadian mint daiquiri made with fresh mint, rum and a touch of sour mix. Sip on this tipple and then take a nice walk down the Hudson River - summer never felt so right.

Macao Trading Co.'s Bashful Maiden

Macao Trading Co, Bashful Maiden $15

311 Church Street nr. Lispenard St. 

Yes, you feel like you're in a Chinese brothel which may or may not be your thing in the hot summer months, but regardless the Bashful Maiden is there to cool you off. This drink has been a staple in my cocktail repertoire for many years - something about the mix of Hendrick's gin, St. Germain, Velvet Falurnun (an infusion of yumminess - spices, lime juice, sugar cane and rum), lemon juice and pureed striped melon just makes all things right in the world. It also makes me forget about the den of vice lurking downstairs - proceed with caution.