Oyster Cocktail Awards: Best NYC Cocktails

See recent posts by Hilary Walke

We visited New York City's best, trendiest hotel bars. We taste-tested. We photographed. We rated. And we got the recipes -- directly from the bartenders -- so you can make them at home.

Hotel bars we went to:

Here are our favorites of Summer 2011, but don't worry -- we're going to keep drinking straight into fall, and winter, and... spring. Stay tuned for more cocktail recipes!

#1 Peach Fuzz

Hotel: The Maritime Why we loved it: The refreshingly sweet flavor with the chunky peach surprises in each sip hit the spot on a hot summer day.

Hotels in this story

The James New York SoHo

Peach Fuzz, La Bottega at The Maritime, New York

Peach Fuzz, La Bottega at The Maritime, New York

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz Russian Standard Vodka
  • 1.5 oz peach syrup
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • Splash of peach vodka
  • Peach chunks

To make:
Shake ingredients together and serve in a highball glass. Garnish with mint and dollop of peach puree.

Scene at La Bottega at The Maritime

Scene at La Bottega at The Maritime

#2 The Cartel

Hotel: The James New York
Why we loved it: The sour tequila and Ginger Liqueur mixture creates a pleasant explosion on the palate. Baby, it’s a firework.

The Cartel, Jimmy at The James New York

The Cartel, Jimmy at The James New York

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ oz Herradura Silver Tequila
  • 1 oz Canton Ginger Liqueur
  • 2 oz Pineapple JUICE
  • ½ Honey Syrup
  • 4 dash Peruvian Bitters

To make
Build in tin, shake with ice, strain into rocks glass, garnish with pineapple wedge.

Scene at Jimmy at The James New York

Scene at Jimmy at The James New York

#3 RARE Fashion

Hotel: Hilton New York Fashion District Hotel
Why we loved it: Four slices each of green apples and cucumbers. Enough said.

RARE Fashion, Rare View Rooftop at Hilton New York Fashion District

RARE Fashion, Rare View Rooftop at Hilton New York Fashion District

Ingredients

  • 2oz Hendrick’s Gin
  • ¾ oz simple syrup
  • 4 slices each of green apples & cucumbers
  • Splash of lime juice

To make
Muddle, strain and serve in a glass on ice.

Scene at Rare View Rooftop at Hilton New York Fashion District

Scene at Rare View Rooftop at Hilton New York Fashion District

#4 Whiskey Punch

Hotel: The Standard New York
Why we loved it: First, the name is cool. Second, the ingredients include: whiskey, lemon juice, orange juice, simple syrup, and Prosecco. Yes, it tastes as delicious as it sounds.

Whiskey Punch, The Living Room at The Standard New York

Whiskey Punch, The Living Room at The Standard New York

Ingredients

  • 2 oz rye whiskey
  • 1 oz lemon juice
  • ½ oz orange juice
  • 1 oz simple syrup
  • Prosecco

To make
Pour all ingredients except Prosecco into mixing glass with ice. Shake and strain into tall glass with crushed ice. Add Prosecco.
Garnish with an orange twist.

Scene at The Living Room at The Standard New York

Scene at The Living Room at The Standard New York

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