The overall kitschy-cool vibe of the space inspired me to go for a take on classic Tiki cocktail. With the bar’s Hunter Thompson—meets—Diane Von Furstenburg feel, I knew it had to have complexity in character balanced with some elegance. On that note, a base of Hennessy VSOP Privilege was necessary for its blend of 60 Eau de Vie to represent the nostalgic ‘70s-era props throughout. The orange Curacao combined with the Orgeat and lime reference the lighting and texture of the wooden banquettes. A handful of garnish evokes the flair of palm trees. Placing it all in a Cocktail Kingdom rock glass makes for the perfectly elegant presentation.
1.5 oz. Hennessy VSOP Privilege
½ oz. orange Curacao
1 oz. orgeat syrup
1 oz. fresh lime juice
1 dash Angostura bitters
Add all ingredients into a shaker. Add ice and shake hard. Straine over fresh ice into rocks glass. Slap a few mint sprigs across your hand lightly and garnish. Add orange wedge. Enjoy.
Tomas Delos Reyes is a mixologist and partner of the gastropub Jeepney in New York’s East Village.