Forget the pretentious “mixologists” pushing Old-Fashioneds and Manhattans. It’s time for some summer fun, and a new class of chill bartenders are putting a fresh take on fruity, dated, decidedly unhip cocktails.
Certain drinks that have fallen out of favor in recent years are making a comeback at some New York watering holes. The key is using fresher, more sophisticated ingredients; it also helps to have a skilled hand behind the bar.
Take The Cosmopolitan, which Sex and the City made ubiquitous and ultimately uncool. Daniel’s White Cosmo features St. Germain elderflower liqueur rather than a strong orange liqueur and understated white cranberry juice instead of red, resulting in a tart, slightly floral cocktail. (Here’s the full recipe for The White Cosmo.)
Updating the Harvey Wallbanger (the ‘70s fern bar special made with vodka, Galliano and orange juice) may sound trickier, but in this case Galliano did most of the work. The bright yellow liqueur reverted to its original 1896 recipe a few years ago, which involved dropping the sugar and upping the alcohol content.
Pairing the new Galliano with a premuim vodka and fresh orange juice vs. the preservative-laden OJ used decades ago helps too. Saxon + Parole has an upgraded Harvey Wallbanger on its drink menu.
For other tasty remakes you can sip without shame, read the full New York Post article.