NY Barfly

Happy Halloween: Here's a Black Eye

Ok, we're not actually going to punch you in the face for Halloween, that would just be crass. But, we'll let you hurt yourself by directing you to a drink being served at The Royalton for the spook-tastic day. The Black Eye is a blend of honey whiskey, walnut liqueur, orgeat syrup and espresso. It will leave you wired and tipsy - perfect if you have to head down to the parade in the village even though it's super cold outside.

Yeah, most people give candy to trick-or-treaters - but we're giving you a shiner instead. Don't be hating on us - a few sips of this, and you'll see why it beats a fistful of sweets any day (especially on October 31).

If you want to drop by and check it out, The Royalton is on 44 West 44th Street.

Alcohol as Art: Looking at Booze Under the Microscope

We all know that a great drink can be considered a work of art: just look at the condensation on the outside of a perfect martini and you’ll know what we mean. But, what about going a little deeper? The Mother Nature Network has really delved into your glass, producing a series of art pieces based on the microscopic view of what’s in your libation (the one above is a pina colada). The result? Beauty – in an abstract, Magic Eye sort of way. If you want to see what your martini looks like when magnified, check out this link. We bet you will hesitate before drinking something so pretty again (only for a second, but still!).

Death By Misadventure? We Can Do Better

Ah, Amy Winehouse - we don't really have a lot say about the ill fated singer, as we don't like to get entangled in all the hullabaloo surrounding celebrities (especially those that tipple way too much). But, we couldn't help but notice the following, after the cause of her death was announced by the authorities in England. From The Times:

"A ruling delivered Wednesday by a coroner in Britain, Suzanne Greenaway, said the official cause of Winehouse’s death was “death by misadventure,” The Associated Press reported.

Um, we didn't realize that was a valid form of demise, but we kind of like it. Other ways we'd like to potentially see on our own certificate de death:

Death by Rhino Accident

Death by Glorious, Showstopping Mistake While Going Over the Waterfall in a Barrel (Worth It!)

Coma by Ennui, Death by Boredom of Being in a Coma

Ripped Apart by Kazoo Orchestra

Death By...Nope, Actually His Eye Were Just Closed

He Was So Over Life. That's All.

New Amsterdam Launches Vodka with a Shave and a Haircut

Usually you don't want your bartender getting hopped up on vodka, but the haircutters at the Blind Barber speakeasy in the East Village know how to work a pair of shears with one hand while holding a  martini with the other. When New Amsterdam decided to throw a launch party for their new vodka there, we were so down.

We had a never-gets-old Prohibition moment walking through the barber shop front (which was operating that night – complimentary straight shaves for the gents), and were greeted with vodka, vodka and more vodka. There was a make-your-own screwdriver station, make-your-own Bloody Mary station and of course, martinis at the bar.

No Agent (007  or otherwise) would be ashamed to order a vodka martini  with this brand or buy one for his lady companion, preferably after a fresh shave. The Bloody Marys and Screwdrivers were smooth enough that you could barely tell you are drinking vodka (danger! danger!). The martinis were strong enough that you felt sophisticated just ordering one and smooth enough to pretend you were on the hunt for an international terrorist. Conclusion? New Amsterdam vodka is a great value, though slightly less than that free haircut. Sounds like a good excuse for another drink to us.

-Katie Carroll

Kahlua Launches Cinnamon Spice Label

If sugar and spice and everything nice is what little girls are made of, cinnamon spice with a shot or two of vodka is what those ladies are made of when they turn 25 or so, especially now that Kahlua is slinging a cinnamon-spiked label. The new liqueur is geared toward the fall-beverage market, if pumpkin cocktails are not your thing, a hit or two of this makes for a good substitute (same goes for those of you who aren’t fans of eggnog – keep a bottle of this around during the Christmas season if you aren’t a fan of the holiday classic).

There are plenty of options to mix up with this stuff, including a cocktail that was inspired by all those trips to the apple orchard. Mixologist Lynnette Marrero came up with this one and yes, one of the ingredients is apple BUTTER. Drool.

Zócalo Sidra (cider)

1 oz Kahlúa Cinnamon Spice

3/4 oz Lemon juice

1 1/2 oz Martell Vs Cognac

2 barspoons apple butter

2 dashes Angostura bitters

Place all ingredients in a shaker. Shake and strain into a couple glass garnish with cinnamon stick.

Bottomless Brunch Alert: Casimir Launches Boozy Weekend Meal

If we were going to get married, it would be to a kick-ass happy hour. But, we’d probably end up sneaking around on the weekend with all the cheeky bottomless brunches in town (they came on to us – we swear). We just got word that East Village restaurant Casimir has kicked off a weekend meal featuring unlimited Mimosas and Blood Marys for only $19.95 a peep. The menu consists of things like buttermilk pancakes, eggs benedict and spinach and chickpea omelet – but you really are in the house for those cocktails, so don’t fill up on food and be sure to get your money's worth. The deal goes down on Saturday and Sundays from 11 AM to 4 PM and Casimir is located 103 Avenue B. If you walk out of here and don’t have to go to bed immediately, you haven’t done your job.

Drink of the Week: Tru Blood Cocktails for Halloween

Zombies seem to be the of-the-minute trend this Halloween, but one should not forget about the vampires. After all – the moment you stop thinking about them is the one that they come after you! Savvy mixologists making spooky drinks for their Halloween party know that Tru Blood is the must have ingredient (besides frozen grapes to chill the drinks – aka “witches eyeballs”). The best part about the Tru Blood drinks, which are made with Belvedere Vodka – is that they are SO easy. You’ll probably be too busy dealing with trick-or-treaters (aka your drunk friends) to put much effort into your bar that night, so shake up a few of these and focus on the more important things. Like your sexy cat costume. Recipes below.

The Belve Compton

1.5 ounces Belvedere

½ ounce lime juice

3 ounces ginger beer

3 ounces Tru Blood

Add all ingredients in a highball glass with ice and garnish with an orange wedge.

Belvedere Bloodsucker

1.5 ounces Belvedere Pink Grapefruit

½ ounces Campari

1.5 ounces Tru Blood

Shake all ingredients with ice and pour over cubed ice in a rocks glass. Before you drink, do your best impression of Bill Compton saying “Sookie.”

Drink Beer, Eat Pizza, Win Prizes

So, everyone is all about the burger and beer combo these days, but Birra Moretti wants to remind you of another choice pairing when it comes to the suds. Beer and pizza? Yes please. The beer maker is sponsoring a contest that encourages you to knock back a few as you have a slice, and you can win a variety of prizes. Beer, pizza and free shit? Hell yes, please! To enter, all you have to do is head to a participating pizza joint by Sunday, November 6 and fill out a coaster as you scarf your pie and wash it down with a brewski or two. If you can’t make it to the pie-shop, you can also upload a picture of your favorite pizza paired with a Moretti on the brand’s Facebook page.

The winners will be chosen randomly, and prizes include a trip to Naples, Italy (suh-weet), free pizza for a year and tickets to an invitation only party that will mark the end of the contest (it’s at Eataly, meaning that’s one shindig worth attending). To learn more about the contest and enter, check out the Facebook page here.

Party Report: New York Boozers Drink It Up at the Ultimate Spirits Blast

What happens when you get 2,000 people in a room and start the liquor flowing? Well, judging by the Ultimate Spirits Blast the other day at the Marriott Marquis, well, actually, we don’t really remember. That means it must have lived up to its name and really been a blast, right?

There were over 100 cocktails on site, made with 300 spirits. Drool. For guests who needed a break from the hard stuff, there were also 120 wines being poured. Top NYC bartenders like Jim Meehan (PDT), Joaquin Simo (Death & Co.) and Eryn Reece were also on site to do the mixing duties (and knock back a few themselves). Notable writers were also on hand – yep, that’s a photo of Dave Wondrich talking up his book – and a slew of new spirits were unleashed to the public. In case you missed it, keep an eye out for Masterson’s Rye, t1 Tequila and Drambuie 15 at bars around town.

Oh, and don’t be too sad if you missed it. The annual event will be back next year. We’re finally recovered enough from our hangover to be excited about that.

Beer Table and Michael Jordan's Steakhouse Team Up For Brewtastic Dinner at Grand Central

OK, so Grand Central Terminal might not be the place that your mind jumps to when thinking of the perfect place to have a beer dinner (the commuters there are usually more focused on getting their tall boy of Bud and getting their butts on the train). Don’t jump to conclusions too quickly though, as the train station actually has a couple things going on for it in the suds department. Brooklyn favorite Beer Table just opened a new shop in the terminal that sells growlers of some pretty tasty craft beers. There’s also Michael Jordan’s The Steak House, which has served more than its share of suds to thirsty commuters who have some time to kill before their trains.

On November 9, the two will pair up for an evening dubbed Old World, New Traditions with Steakhouse Beers. Beer Table’s Justin Philips will pour a choice selection of craft beers, while chef Ted Pryor will cook up a menu of items like wiesswurst sausage and prime-aged filet on the bone. To get more info on the dinner (which is $80 per person and starts at 6:30 PM) and reservations, check out Grand Central’s Facebook page.