Regional standouts
Persimmon? Black sesame? Yes, please
Cocktail bars have stepped up their game locally.
Cocktail bars have stepped up their game compared to the vodka cranberry I used to get for $1 on Thursdays at my local college bar. I remember when cocktail prices started going up, my friends and I were a little put off until we realized that cocktail bars were creating their own bitters, bringing in unusual flavors, and fresh-pressing their own juices for mixes. Now that’s worth the money.
These particular bars have taken it to new levels, tying in ingredients with amazing garnishes, natural sugars, tropical fruits and even some savory notes.
MOSU Asian BBQ and Hot Pot
If you’ve never had the opportunity to try a persimmon, you’re in for a treat. The fruit has a kind of slippery, almost tomato-like texture, with a flavor similar to a sweet mango. MOSU created a Persimmon Negroni made with sake, an umami spice blend, vermouth and persimmon juice tying in both a sweet, fruity flavor with a natural, savory flavor creating a nice balance.
IL FARO Restaurant & Bar
IL FARO has an amazing cocktail menu using fresh fruits, spirits and delicious garnishes like candied dehydrated orange. The Innocent Margarita comprises watermelon-infused Sieta Leguas Blanco Tequila, tangerine demerara sugar, and fresh-squeezed key lime juice. The sourness of the lime is quickly mellowed out by the sweetness of the watermelon and tangerine sugar, creating the perfect base for the tequila.
The Hideaway
The Hideaway is known for its delicious brunch options, including
bloody marys, seasoned perfectly, piled high with garnishes. Usually when bloody marys have a lot of bells and whistles, the drink isn’t as impressive, but this spot’s homemade mix is delicious, salty and extremely flavorful. One of the best parts of a bloody mary is that it basically comes with a snack, with impressive garnishes like a mini version of The Hideaway's famous fried chicken sandwich, olives, bacon-wrapped shrimp, and mozzarella sticks. You might not even be hungry for your meal.
Nighthawks 461 Broadway, Troy
Nighthawks has a variety of unusual cocktail options that work. It was hard to choose one to highlight, but the Black Sesame Old-fashioned definitely stood out. It’s made with sesame oil-washed bourbon, giving the bourbon a slight nutty aroma, with black walnut bitters, orange and toasted black sesame syrup. Nighthawks likes to play with unusual cocktail ingredients including beets, spicy pepper bitters, chamomile and rosewater.