5 New Brooklyn Destinations for Superlative Summer Cocktails
Summer drinks are meant to be fun—full of fruit and fizz and frequently frozen. But that doesn’t mean you should be drinking spiked Slurpees—not when masterful seasonal cocktails are available at the following Brooklyn spots.
Casa Publica
While the eats are certainly of note (we’re talking crab and uni tostadas and squash blossom tacos from an Altamarea vet), the sprawling beverage menu almost outpaces the food offerings. Designed and executed by Meaghan Montagano—of industry favorite Extra Fancy—you’ll find fruity frozies with optional floats (such as white rum, grilled pineapple and strawberry, slicked with a shot of ancho reyes), inventive micheladas (Helga’s Brew has jalapeno vodka, smoked salt, and Sierra Nevada Otra Vez), and large format libations such as the I Carried A Watermelon boasts 51-ounces of tequila, watermelon, citrus and vermouth.
594 Union Ave, (718) 388-3555
Taqueria El Atoradero/Parklife
The incredible El Atoradero recently spawned both a Crown Heights mezcaleria, and this permanent pop-up spot in Littlefield’s Gowanus backyard. What to pair with saudero tacos and french fry nachos, courtesy of chef Denisse Lina Chavez? Easy-drinking cocktails from the neighboring al fresco bar, Parklife, such as Tropic Like It’s Hot (bourbon, aperol, grapefruit orgeat), and Pink Flamingos, featuring watermelon, basil, rhubarb-infused Arette Blanco, hopped bitters and coriander syrup.
636 Degraw St., No Phone
Jane’s Taboo
Williamsburg’s Chinese dim sum specialist, King’s Co. Imperial, has always harbored a tiki fascination, peppering their menu with King Kamehameha Clubs (tequila, lime, allspice dram, blue agave nectar), and Rittenhouse rye Mai Tai’s on tap. But this summer, they’ve made specific use of their abundant, edible garden by using it to house a standalone tiki bar called Jane’s Taboo instead, inviting patrons to sip from grinning skulls replete with tequila honey and grapefruit juice, and Scorpion Bowls brimming with rums, juices and pomegranate grenadine amidst grape arbors, nasturtiums, and Sichuan peppercorn plants.
20 Skillman Ave, (718) 610-2000
Miss Ada
Modern Israeli food is certainly on the rise, but Tomer Blechman (Lupa, Bar Bolonat) isn’t producing overly fussy fare in Fort Greene. Options like hummus masabaha and goat cheese shakshuka are expertly rendered but easily identified, while the cocktail list is succinct but pleasingly seasonal; try the violet Beet-On with fresh beets, mint and arak, the Veridian boasting tequila, serrano and cilantro, or the Lavender Old Fashioned, which lets the fragrant herb lift the classic combo of bourbon, bitters and orange peel.
184 Dekalb Ave, (917) 909-1023
The Roof at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
High astride the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge—which guarantees spectacular city views — this credentialed roof bar counts Matt Abramcyk (formerly of The Beatrice Inn), Eddie Bilowich (1 Oak, Casablanca), and Michael Oliver (Noho Hospitality Group) as partners, and offers lobster rolls, credit and tofu-dressed mochi bites to supplement the Heat Stroke with pineapple, agave and fresh lime, and a Dark & Stormy made with black seal rum and ginger beer.
60 Furman St, (347) 696-2500