1 THE CHAMPAGNE FLOAT
First, take that sticky summer staple the root-beer float, then remove both the root beer and the vanilla ice cream, and finally, substitute massive quantities of champagne and coconut sorbet. Voilà: You have 5757’s highly alcoholic answer to all things sticky and summery. The child in you loves the sweet stuff; the adult in you is already slurring incoherently.
3 scoops coconut sorbet
1 and 1/2 oz. champagne
1/2 oz. orange-grenadine mixture
Drink is “layered” (dab of sorbet on bottom, orange-grenadine mixture next, topped off with champagne), garnished with a pineapple chip, and served in a martini glass.
2 THE RUBY FOO
Ruby Foo’s signature cocktail puts an Asian twist on the Cosmo by adding a splash of plum sake into the mix. Go the extra mile and bring along one of those cute miniature umbrellas that are always such a scream.
1 and 1/2 oz. (or equal parts) super-premium vodka (your choice; Ruby Foo’s uses VOX) and plum sake
1 oz. cranberry juice
A splash of lemon juice and a splash of pineapple juice (a splash is equal to 1/8–1/4 oz.) oz.)
Shake well with ice and strain into chilled martini glass; garnish with a thinly sliced lemon wheel.
3 THE GINGER LIME DROP
If it’s the tartness of the Cosmo you crave, but you also want to explore the more experimental waters of liquor, Tabla’s specialty cocktail is as heavy with lime juice as with gin. It veers wildly off the road of what we expect from a summer cocktail but still gets us where we want to be.
2 oz. Plymouth gin
2 oz. fresh-squeezed lime juice
1 teaspoon fresh chopped ginger
splash of simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water; cook on low heat until sugar dissolves; cool for 30 minutes)
Serve shaken, straight up in a martini glass; garnish with a fresh lime wheel.
4 THE VALENTINI
This popular drink from Bungalow 8 was named after Rudolph Valentino because, as owner Amy Sacco reminds us, “he was the world’s greatest lover.” We’re not sure if one Valentini will transform you into a more effective Casanova, but we guarantee that after three of them you’ll be drunk.
1 oz. passion-fruit purée
1 oz. Stoli strawberry vodka
1/2 oz. grenadine
dash of fine sugar
Stir in large mixing glass – transfer to champagne flute; top with Moët & Chandon champagne; garnish with a slice of strawberry.
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