The last day of summer doesn’t officially fall until September 22nd, which means there's plenty of time in New York to enjoy these best end-of-summer cocktails. From Absinthe served in a coconut shell to a drink named after a hashtag, you’ll want to try these five cocktails out before they’re long gone for the fall.
Best of NYC Summer Cocktails: Coconut at Sugar East (Upper East Side)
It may have a simple name, but this cocktail is anything but simple. Served in an actual coconut (worth ordering just for the Instagram post), Coconut is a concoction of Havana Club rum, fernet, Absinthe, coconut juice, lime, and burnt cinnamon. If those flavors don’t leave you aching for summer, then we don’t know what else could. 1125 First Ave., 212-832-4610, sugareast.com
Best of NYC Summer Cocktails: Frozen Dark & Stormy at Miss Lily’s 7A (East Village)
Summer can’t end until you’ve imbibed all the slushy you can get your hands on, and Miss Lily’s 7A is still serving some up with its Frozen Dark & Stormy. The icy beverage combines Kelvin Slush Co.’s organic ginger slush, Blackwell, and Gosling’s Float to make a beverage that’s going to give you both a brain freeze and a buzz. It’s strong, but that’s what you want, isn’t it? 109 Ave. A, 212-812-1482, misslilys.com
Best of NYC Summer Cocktails: #Instagramodel at Sweet Polly (Brooklyn)
Never had a drink named after a hashtag before? Well now’s your chance! The #Instagramodel being served at Sweet Polly is tall, thin, and beautifully flavored as far as we’re concerned. Ingredients include Fifty Pounds Gin, St. Germain, Cucumber, Celery, and Lemon. The result is a light green concoction that will leave you feeling refreshed and ready for anything. 71 6th Ave., 718-484-9600, sweetpollynyc.com
Best of NYC Summer Cocktails: Pearl Collins at Dear Irving (Flatiron)
With a name like “Pearl Collins”, you can bet that Dear Irving has created a new drink that will appeal to those who enjoy something a little more feminine, but with a bit of spunk to it as well. Made with mint, lemon, gin, cocci Americano, and jasmine, this light beverage is, as Dear Irving puts it, “aromatic and endlessly drinkable.” We’d have to say, we agree. 55 Irving Pl., dearirving.com
Best of NYC Summer Cocktails: French Air Conditioning at The Up & Up (Greenwich Village)
The Up & Up is one of New York City’s most beloved cocktail bars, always creating new and innovative “Up & Up Originals” for those who want to try something they never have before. Their French Air Conditioning cocktail is one for the books. Made up of Pierre Ferrand 1840 Cognac, Cinnamon, Green Grapes, Yuzu Juice, Lemon Juice, Cassis, and Seltzer, this beverage won’t just cool you down, it’ll light you up. 116 MacDougal St., 212-260-3000, upandupnyc.com
