It’s that time of the year where we get together with friends, co-workers, and family to celebrate the holidays and ring in the new year. When the weather outside is frightful these restaurants serve up cocktails that are delightful.
Insignia Prime Steak & Sushi - Insignia is a great place to meet with friends for a drink and dinner. Their New Fashioned is one of the most popular cocktails on their menu. It’s a new spin on an old classic. The New Fashioned starts with an orange slice, luxardo brandied cherries, orange angostura bitters and a teaspoon of local clover honey. They muddle all of those components, then add 2.5 oz of maker mark bourbon and .75oz of domain de canton ginger liqueur. They fill it the rest of the way with ice and roll it in a shaker and serve it in a rocks glass with a cherry & orange skewer. Location: 610 Smithtown Bypass, Smithtown, (631) 656-8100.
Repeal XVIII - The East Meets West cocktail is mezcal, mango purée, fresh lemon juice, basil simple syrup and a tajin chili salt rim with a fresh basil garnish. Location: 30 New Street Huntington, (631) 629-5878.
Charlotte's Speakeasy - Keeping with the speakeasy vibe, try out this joint in Farmingdale Village. Charlotte’s Speakeasy is a restored speakeasy from a very historic era of Farmingdale, Spirits and entertainment with signature cocktails and jazz ensembles to pass the night away. For the naughty on your list! Location: 294 Main Street, Farmingdale, (516) 586-8530.
Blackbird Kitchen & Cocktails - Easy elegance meets cozy intimacy in the handcrafted interior that makes every experience memorable. Try the Wet Bandit. This cocktail is all dressed up and pretty in pink. The perfect blend of cranberry gin liqueur, lime juice, ginger syrup, and rosemary with a flavorful, piney taste that reminds you of a sprig off your Christmas tree. Location: 3026 Merrick Road, Wantagh, (516) 654-9200.
The Linwood - Their exclusive cocktail is called the Yin & Tang. Composed of Old Forester Rye, freshly squeezed lemon juice, a saba shrub, and a house-made ginger simple syrup and garnished with an expressed orange peel, this cocktail is inspired by the complexities of shrub drinks. A shrub is a concentrated syrup that combines fruit, sugar, and vinegar. The result is a sweet, acidic mixer that can be enjoyed on its own, or in a drink like the Yin & Tang. It’s described as having a sweetness and delicate acidity that plays beautifully with spice of the Old Forester Rye. Location: 150 East Main Street, Bay Shore, (631) 665-1256.
Want more choices? The below places also offer up some unique drinks on their cocktail menus. Try them out.
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Rare650 - 650 Jericho Tpke, Syosset, (516) 496-8000.
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Parlay Gastropub - 210 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre, (516) 442-2600.
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Tullulahs - 2 4th Ave, Bay Shore, (631) 969-9800.
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Honu - 363 New York Avenue, Huntington, (631) 421-6900
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Husk and Vine Kitchen and Cocktails - 655 Middle Country Road, St James, (631) 250-9616.