Cities by the Cocktail
Whether you savor a city’s cuisine, admire its architecture or watch the sun set over its skyline—there’s still another way to capture the vibe of a city—and it involves cocktails.
Not just any cocktail, but one that was created right where you are. Traveling for work or for fun? Either way, grab a colleague or a friend, and experience the cocktail culture of these top cities for mixology.
Martini: Stirred and Shaken in New York
A bartender named Martini di Arma di Taggia, working in a swanky Manhattan hotel during its early 20th-century heyday, is credited with creating the drink that bears his name. The crisp, smooth cocktail soon gained a reputation as the drink of the elite when ultra-wealthy John D. Rockefeller and his pals on Wall Street became fans. To savor this Manhattan classic, catch a ride at Grand Central Station and head to the Campbell Apartment balcony bar (15 Vanderbilt Ave., New York City), known for its vintage cocktails and 1920s decor.
Mint Julep: Louisville's Derby Day Winner
The official drink of the Kentucky Derby, the classic Mint Julep recipe calls for a half-ounce of simple syrup, 2.5-ounces of bourbon and fresh mint. The trick to the Julep’s perfection is in the technique. The liquid is first poured into a silver tumbler and mint leaves are added and then crushed with a long-handled spoon. Next, the tumbler is filled with crushed ice, garnished with mint sprigs and then served with a short straw so that one can enjoy the mint's aroma as they sip. Enjoy a traditional Mint Julep and take away the souvenir glass it’s served in at the Kentucky Derby Museum’s Derby Café (704 Central Ave., Louisville).
Moscow Mule: Kicking It in Los Angeles
Like all good Hollywood legends, the story of how the Moscow Mule was invented just might have some embellishment mixed in with the truth. It's said that a promoter of vodka joined forces with a bar owner who had too much ginger beer in his inventory. Add in another vendor who had a large stock of copper cups on hand, and, voila, a new cocktail combining the unlikely elements became the toast of the town! Moscow Mule cocktails aren't always served in copper nowadays, but you can still sample a traditional version of the recipe at the Tam O'Shanter Inn (2980 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Angeles).
Sazerac: The Spirits of New Orleans
It wasn't exactly voodoo that was the inspiration for the Sazerac, the official drink of New Orleans, but a little splash of absinthe gave the drink an edgy, magical mystique. Peychaud's bitters—which were created in a 19th-century New Orleans apothecary—and rye whiskey are the base of the drink's signature flavor. Herb-based substitutes took the place of absinthe during the years it was banned, but these days, you'll find both versions of the cocktail in the city's drinking establishments, including the historic bar in Tujague’s Restaurant (823 Decatur St., New Orleans) in the French Quarter.
Ready to travel? Find your hotel in New York City, Louisville, Los Angeles, and New Orleans.
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