The NY Cocktail Expo at Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall, showcased the hottest craft spirits and cocktails from the best bars and restaurants from Long Island and Queens. Some of the cocktail trends included drinks made with strawberries, gin, floral flavors and a mix of sweet and heat.
Blackbird Kitchen and Cocktails
3026 Merrick Rd
Wantagh, NY 11793
Blackbird Kitchen and Cocktails won first place for their Florentine Codex at the NY Cocktail Expo. This drink contained Benhams Sonoma Dry Gin, sweet corn, cane sugar, Manzanilla Sherry, lime, a coriander tincture, and saline.
(Photo Credit: Matthew Matta)
Crop & Kettle
(Inside the Long Island Marriot)
3637, 101 James Doolittle Blvd
Uniondale, NY 11553
516-229-5039
Pantone is the color of the year, it’s also an eye-catching color for a cocktail. Crop & Kettle, a new bar and restaurant inside the Long Island Marriot, won 2nd place for their Smoked Hemp Cocktail, Purple Haze. Crop & Kettle makes handcrafted cocktails using fresh and homemade ingredients inspired by the Long Island farming industry. Hemp cocktails are currently a big trend on the West Coast, but Crop & Kettle are shaking things up right here on Long Island.
Queens Bully
113-30 Queens Blvd
Queens, NY 11375
Queen’s Bully poured a bright red drink called The Punching Bag containing Copper & Kings American Craft Brandy, Destillaré Orange Curaçao, SerendipiTea Blended Tea from Manhasset, house made spiced raspberry syrup and bitters, lime and hibiscus petals for a tart exotic flavor. This drink ranked 3rd place for best cocktail.
Vauxhall
26 Clinton Ave
Huntington, NY 11743
Vauxhall in Huntington is a great place for cocktails, craft beers and burgers. Vauxhall whipped up a special cocktail showcasing Death Door Gin, rosé, watermelon, pH adjusted white grapefruit juice and aquafaba (the liquid from soaking or cooking chickpeas.) Even though Vauxhall did not place in the competition, this drink was my favorite by far. If you are looking for a light and refreshing cocktail this summer, head down to Vauxhall.
Spiros Lounge
4 Patchogue Dr
Rocky Point, NY 11778
(631) 744-4100
It’s almost summertime which means, strawberry season. Spiros poured a special cocktail called BB Gun. This cocktail is made with strawberry infused Elijah Craig, Domaine De Canton (ginger liqueur), smoked with applewood and garnished with candied bacon, for the perfect combination of sweet and fruity and smoky and salty. Cheers!
The Brixton
111 Deer Park Ave
Babylon, NY 11702
The Brixton made a Patos Punch with Tanteo Jalapeño Tequila, Falernum (simple syrup used in tropical drinks in the Caribbean), strawberry shrub, chipotle lime, nutmeg, and Cynar (an artichoke bittersweet liqueur.)
Salt & Barrel
61 W Main St
Bay Shore, NY 11706
Salt & Barrel is an oyster and craft cocktail bar in Bay Shore. They made a High Taird Western Vibe with American Prairie Bourbon , apricots, bananas, tamarind, and habaneros. Be sure to check out their Oyster Happy Hour Monday through Thursday from 5-7 pm.
The Rust & Gold
70 Gerard St, Huntington, NY 11743
“The Glory of Love” is not just an iconic song from the Karate Kid soundtrack, it’s also a great cocktail. The Rust & Gold from Huntington made a cocktail called the Koval Glory of Love with Koval Bourbon, Koval Caraway, Grapefruit Oleo Saccharum and Amontillado Sherry. The Koval Glory of Love won the People’s Choice Award for Best Cocktail.
Crabtrees Restaurant
226 Jericho Turnpike
Floral Park, NY 11001
Flower infused drinks are a great way to spring forward. Crabtrees Restaurant in Floral Park made a drink called The Empress Collins 1908, made with Empress Gin, Licor 43, elderflower, lavender club soda, and fennel crystals.
Grotta Di Fucco
960 W Beech Street
Long Beach, NY
Grotta Di Fucco makes delicious pizza and Italian food but also impressive craft cocktails. The Ask Siri cocktail is made with One With Life Tequila (organic tequila), fermented strawberry brown rice syrup, rhubarb bitter liqueur, Genmaicha (green tea with roasted brown rice), and aromatic bitters. The rim is coated with dehydrated strawberry, raw sugar, Korean chili peppers and ginger for an Asian flair.
Elite VIP Cocktails
The Elite VIP room was a great place to escape from the crowds and noise and retreat to a tropical paradise. This room also had exclusive cocktails and spirits just for VIP guests.
VIP guests got to enjoy a large selection of Don Q Rum that they could sample.
Elite VIP guests could also try specialty drinks behind the bar including a Ginger Mojito, Mango Daiquiri and Pasión Punch.
If you missed this event, grab tickets for the next New York Cocktail Expo August 19, 2018 at Melrose Ballroom here.
The post Best Drinks from the NY Cocktail Expo appeared first on Living Local 24/7.
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