The (Blair Witch) Greenwich Project

Hidden Gem Close to Stern!

You know your life needs an intervention when a group of friends takes over 50 emails to schedule an evening together. A full-time MBA program is no joke. Once you add internships, relationships, and other obligations (like sleeping, exercise, remaining sane), you enter into a never-ending email chain of suggested dates and locations. We bit the bullet and scheduled drinks for tonight, after many of us were done with night class. It was aggressive and it perfectly suited this group of incredible friends. 

As we walked near campus (carrying super sexy backpacks doesn't encourage one to venture far), we found the Greenwich Project (https://www.facebook.com/GreenwichProjectNYC). We were ready for drinks!!!

Bklyn '76

My first cocktail was from the menu. It was a mix of gin, rosemary honey, lemon, sparkling wine and house lavender bitters. I loved it! I appreciated the balance of the drink and the other ingredients prevented the gin from tasting too junipery or pine needley (yes those are words!). The glass added to the experience; it was delicate and elevated. Just a class act.

I loved the cocktail menu. In case you didn't like the bartenders' suggested cocktails, there were general categories you could order from: boozy, sour, spicy, sweet, refreshing, etc. I thought this was clever and matched the general vibe of the place. A lot of customization and attention to detail. 

I decided to be adventurous (a current theme in my life) and let the bartender have free reign with a dessert cocktail. The server asked for general direction (what I didn't like and what I preferred) and then let the bartender take over! 

Bartender's Choice

My drink ended up including hazelnut liqueur, Grand Marnier, and heavy cream (I believe about 2 cups...woof). Although the taste of the cocktail was pleasant, it was far too heavy too enjoy. I should have been more clear that I wanted a sweet drink, not a glass of heavy cream. Either way, this is what happens when you live on the edge and through caution (and the menu) to the wind. 

I would consider coming back here for dinner. Among my group, we split the doughnut dessert and no-bake cheesecake. Both were great, although the filing in the doughnuts led to questionable consumption. It was a bit...well, order it and let me know!

Cheers,

Liz

Want Anything Elsa?

New Favorite Spot!

Last night, I visited a fantastic cocktail bar, suggested by my very cute date. I don't tend to venture to Alphabet City (something about the street names turning into letters is intimidating). I need to start expanding my horizons by including this in my go-to neighborhoods. What Elsa lacks in a website, it makes up for in lovely cocktails (the spot does have a Facebook though, https://www.facebook.com/elsabarnyc). While I waited for my date, I ordered two drinks...for research!

Black Book 

This feisty and spicy cocktail is a mix of bourbon, jalapeno, honey, lemon, cinnamon, and cardamom. It is simply divine. I'd recommend it to anyone that wants to try a bourbon based cocktail with a little character. Next...onto something a bit smoky...

Death of a Ladies' Man

With this choice, I was adventurous. Sometimes, trying new things doesn't pay off, this was one of those times. The drink was a bit too smoky for me! The ingredients included: rye, maple, Laphroaig 10 yr old scotch, lemon and tobacco bitters. This experience taught me once again that I'm not a huge fan of scotch or tobacco (but I knew that). Once my date arrived (I got there a little early...research!), I ordered a sweet drink.

Two French Sisters

This drink is my JAM. A dreamy blend of vodka, St. Germain, lemon, orange bitters, and topped with Champagne. If I hadn't already had 2 (strong) drinks, I would have ordered another one of these babies. 

I highly recommend discovering the cocktail menu at Elsa. It is a great place to spend some time, especially on a great first date!

xoxo,

Liz

  

Spring has Sprung

Spring Pear at EVR

The new Spring mixology menu has arrived and is it "EVR" (http://evrnyc.com/) so tasty! During one of the recent Cocktailing events (on Wednesday After Work), I ordered the Spring Pear. It is a dangerously tasty combination of pear vodka, spices, sage, maraschino liqueur, lime and agave. By dangerous, I mean, you order two and may forget that it even is Spring or that you're at a bar and not transported to a magically wonderful place. I love seasonal cocktails and this hit the spot - get after it, as my friend Lauren would say. 

Cheers,

Liz

If you like Pina Coladas...head to Brooklyn!

Surf's Up at Surf Bar!

This is a throwback post from last month, but wanted to honor Williamsburg with my first Brooklyn post. One of my favorite bars is Surf Bar (http://www.brooklynsurfbar.com/) on N 6th St. Each time I have gone, I've gotten the Pina Colada. It transports me back to the tropics. I highly encourage a visit - I most recently went with my good friend Courtney several weeks ago. Did I mention the floor of the bar is sand? How awesome is that?! My friend Minden loves it :)

Mahalo & Aloha,

Liz

It's Warm Out, so Order a Hot Toddy

Hot Toddy at Lexington Bar & Books

Prior to a (horrific!!!) speed dating event with Liv several weeks ago, we grabbed a drink at Lexington Bar & Books (http://www.barandbooks.cz/lexington/). From the Winter Warmers menu (in April obviously), I ordered the Hot Toddy. The drink was a mix of Bushmills Irish Honey, orange liqueur  lemon juice, honey and "spices". The location is a total swank shop. There is doorbell (ah classy!) and the service is top notch. I would note that it is a cigar bar (somehow it has the permits to allow smoking), so be forewarned if you hate the smell of smoke. 

Happy Drinking!

Liz

The Bourbon Diaries

Rye House's "Sylvia" is a Hot Lady

I went to Rye House (http://www.ryehousenyc.com/) this weekend and ordered a cocktail that featured a bourbon I've heard great things about: Four Roses. The cocktail is called Sylvia and features Four Roses Yellow Label Bourbon, Aperol, lime and sugar cane syrup. The drink was a fantastic way for me to try more dark spirits but also stick to the sweet profile I tend to prefer. If you're in Union Square (or waiting to get called off the list for Raines Law Room), this is a winning spot. 

My photo of the drink isn't the best so I didn't post, but it's served up (shaken with ice that is then strained out) in a beautiful glass. Also, it is best enjoyed with a good friend, like my little nugget Jessica

Cheers!

Liz

Wanna Pranna?

Best to Drink (Thai Gaves) on First Dates!

As the title of the post indicates, I visited Pranna (http://www.prannarestaurant.com/) this past week on a first date. Although I haven't heard back from my date, I do know that I will visit Pranna again. The venue is spacious and the Happy Hour specials for tapas/drinks are great. Of course I didn't order a drink that was on special because I had my eyes on the Thai Gave. It is a (delicious!) blend of agave nectar, ginger juice, lime juice, fresh pineapple juice and tequila. If you're in Flatiron, check out Pranna! 

Sorry for no pics. I didn't want to hurt my chances of a second date with a spastic photo of my cocktail...guess it didn't matter! Pictures next time.

Cheers

Liz

Mango Tango at Lantern Thai Kitchen (Gramercy)

Have Some Tango with That Mango!

This Saturday, I had a Thailand Trek Reunion with some of my Stern friends that went on the trip. Naturally, we went to a Thai restaurant! This was my first time at Lantern Thai Kitchen (http://lanternthai.com/), but I was confident it would be tasty based on friend's reviews and Yelp! I arrived a bit early to grab a drink at the bar. I ordered the Mango Tango but substituted the tequila with vodka. The drink was fairly simple: vodka, triple sec, lime juice and mango juice. I satisfied my sweet tooth for only $8. If you're in the area and are craving Thai and cocktails, check out Lantern!

Cheers

Liz

Tomato Basil Martini at EVR

A Cocktail with Vegetables Counts, Right?

As my friends will confirm, I am normally a sweet cocktail gal. But....in the interest of research, I have been ordering outside of my wheelhouse. This brought me to the Tomato Basil Martini at EVR, a newly opened lounge on 54 W 39th St (www.evrnyc.com). The cocktail is an extremely well-balanced mix of cherry tomatoes, basil-infused gin, and Lillet Blanc. The spirits are complemented by habanero, agave, lime and a Himalayan salt rim. 

In general, I'd recommend visiting EVR...of course I'm biased since I am currently interning there..but I would not steer you the wrong way! The space is beautiful, the cocktails are works of art and the food is delicious! Monday through Friday, EVR has a Happy Hour from 5-8pm. The drinks tend to be pricier (as mixology places tend to be), but the Happy Hour is a great time to test out the place and sample the food. You can follow EVR on Twitter @EVR_NYC for updates on events. 

What are you drinking tonight?

Liz

Welcome to my blog! Grab a drink and let's chat!

Welcome to Personalitini! 

Welcome to my digital happy hour, where the drinks are strong and the recommendations are based on tiring research! I dabbled in a food blog a bit ago, but realized that a cocktail blog was more appropriate. After moving to New York from Charlotte, I have a much smaller kitchen (read: non-existent) but my liquor cabinet is the same size. Given my passion for the spirits industry, I find a lot of people ask me for bar or drink recommendations. I thought it would be nice to keep all of this "knowledge" in one place: here! I thought of blog's name when I was applying to Stern in Fall 2011. My personal essay was meant to be a creative expression and I described myself as a cocktail: Personalitini. 

I hope you enjoy my blog and continue to discover new destinations with me.

xoxo,

Liz