New York's top bars are competing for Best Cocktail of The Year & The "TIKI 'TO-GO' Down" tropical cocktail battle. Here is a list of nominated cocktails below and where to drink them this week! You can also vote for them in New York Cocktail Expo's Online People's Choice Best Cocktail Awards by sharing their cocktail on your Instagram with their custom hashtags. All the December drinks and fun!
"Immortelle" at Patent Pending
"Immortelle" itself is a tropical sour using Ten to One Carribean White Rum, aloe liqueur, lacto-fermented lime, Yuzu-Kosho and fermented hibiscus tea.The nose is floral, fruity and bright with ground hibiscus tea powder and pineapple hitting up front. The palate drinks full bodied, grassy and refreshing with a savory note from the Yuzu-Kosho that comes through at the end. This cocktail is perfect for to-go/delivery due to the shelf-life of the ingredients. However, more importantly this cocktail is a perfect way to enjoy Ten to One White Rum in a crafted cocktail from the comfort of your home. Cocktail by Nicholas Ruiz. #ttoimmortelle
"Drink Me" at American Whiskey
This Alice In Wonderland-inspired sip tastes as magical as it looks! Smoky and sweet with a secret to behold: just pour the ingredients over Empress 1908 Gin and watch the cocktail transform! Empress 1908 Gin, Mezcal, Pomegranate Juice, Lime Juice, Agave & Edible Glitter. Cocktail by Tracey Eden. #empressdrinkme
"Favor For a Friend With Benefits" at The Bonnie
What a Boulevardier always wished it could be, "Favor for a Friend" with Benefits is the perfect bitter, boozy sipper. The spice in the verbena bring out pepper notes from rye, whilst the Dolin and Cappelletti balance each other and add a lovely viscosity. Redwood Empire Emerald Giant Rye, Apertivo Cappelletti, Dolin Blanc, House Made Verbena Bitters, House Made Celery Bitters. Cocktail by Harris Tooley. #favorforafriendwithbenefits
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Harlem’s Notebook is inspired by the authors whose works surround the Harlem Renaissance and transcend time and place, much like the cocktail itself. Those writers include: Zora Neale Hurston, Claude Mckay, James Baldwin and Nikki Grimes. Sesame oil washed Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Whiskey, Cynar, Fernet & Brown Sugar Syrup. Cocktail by Aziz C. #writinginthenotebook
"Daylight Savings" at A10 Kitchen
With apple wood smoked bourbon, pear cordial, Rockey's Botanical Liqueur, averna, angostura & cranberry bitters. This Iron Smoke Bourbon cocktail will bring the spirit to your holidays. Cocktail by Michael Anthony Belasco. #A10DaylightSavings
Pairing up with Appleton Estate to showcase their amazing spirits on either end of the spectrum; the Wray & Nephew Overproof delivers a pungent, fruity kick while the 12 Year Rare Cask serves as a strong backbone which doesn't get lost with the other flavors. The inspiration in this drink stems from Brad Smith, the legendary GM at Latitude 29 in New Orleans. This cocktail is a nod to Brad and his abilities to make the most unlikely ingredients work together in harmony and gradually hit all the senses. Cocktail by Anton Kinloch. #fuchsiatikidrink
Mimas Highball Cocktail was inspired by the popular classic, The Saturn cocktail which is one of the few tiki cocktails with a gin base. We chose Dorothy Parker Gin as our base because of its contemporary style and prominent botanicals of juniper, elderberry, citrus, and cinnamon- all flavors found in the other cocktail ingredients such as Velvet Falernum and Chinola Passion.
This delicious blend of botanicals, baking spice, and tart citrus is only further amplified with the addition of almond orgeat, fresh lime, and tonic, long known to be a good friend of gin as well as a welcome bubbly note to an otherwise gulpable cocktail. Cocktail by Michael Walters. #tiki❤️gin
"Sling & A Miss" at American Whiskey
2020 has been a year for the history books! It's time to celebrate with a riff on the classic Tiki cocktail, "Singapore Sling". This tropical cocktail was created by Tracey Eden, Bar Manager at American Whiskey. Empress 1908 Gin, Cointreau, Pineapple Liqueur, Maraschino Liqueur, Lemon Juice, Lavender Bitters, Fever-tree Elderflower Tonic. #empresstiki
"Crazy Banana" at Stitch Bar & Lounge
Ron Colón Salvadoreño presents its new and unique Crazy Banana cocktail. JJ’s creation is “the new” in Tiki culture bringing us a classy, upgraded tiki cocktail for those who aren’t looking for an over-the-top fruity concoction. The smooth flavor of the rich aged 111 proof rum and faint layers of chocolate and other herbed bitters accompany the fresh banana oils to excellence. JJ’s creation is balanced perfectly on the palate for a smooth and tasty experience to transport you to the tropics. Take a sip and be welcomed into the Ron Colón family. Cocktail by JJ Sansaverino #crazybananacocktail
Rum Skull Punsch encompasses traditional tastes… with a twist. The cocktail blends both old and new school together while quintessential flavors quite literally pack a ‘punsch.’ Enjoy Rum Skull Punsch in a special edition mug crafted specifically for Stroh Rum by Tiki Tony – tiki mug designer for Disney Parks. #rumskullpunsch
Contact for Pop Up information
Imagine being cast away on a tropical island only to find lost cargo containing a cocktail so good it makes you never want to ever leave your new found paradise. Two time "TIKI Throw Down" Champs return with their new deserted island cocktail. But you'll have to find a "Pop Up" to drink it at as Paradise Lounge is looking for a new spot for 2021. Plantation Rum Blend, L'Orgeat, Island Spice Infused Orange Curacao, Fresh Lime Juice (And a few other little secrets...) Tropical Mental Attitude. #itfelloffaplane
"Aranda's Vulcan" by Marcelo Chasi
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From the land of good tequila, mariachis and charreadas this concoction gets its inspiration of volcanic soil and ancestral tradition infusing Mijenta blanco the delicate hibiscus flower, saffron horchata, salted pistachio orgeat and finishing with an acid adjusted falernum that gives this drink a playful tiki feeling still representing the culture and heritage from los Altos de Jalisco. This special concoction may be hard to find. You'll have to contact the mixologist to see how to drink it!
"Smokin' Unicorn" at Backbar
Somerville MA "throws down" with New York, in this magical concoction for tiki drinkers and whiskey lovers alike! Bright banana notes highlighted with lime and salt go beautifully with cinnamon and coconut. A base of Old Elk Bourbon gives a solid back bone. And amontillado sherry adds length and nuance.
Bartenders, Cocktail Bars & spirits! Register now to compete in the 2021 Best Cocktail of The Year Awards & TiKi Throw Down tropical cocktail battle!
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