In our #ThirstyThursday series, TIPSY AND TAN, we ask mixologists from New York City’s white-hot restaurants and bars to create OC-exclusive drinks for our readers. Drinking on the job? Don't mind if we do...
Decorated with photographs by Bob Gruen and adorned with an old-school grand piano perfect for live performances during its signature “Prohibition Hour,” The Handy Liquor Bar is the underground summer haunt to escape the busy streets of SoHo. So, in honor of the bar’s intimate and cozy interior, The Handy’s cocktail aficionado Elijah Servance III whipped up an "Orange Maple Old-Fashioned" with a bacon twist, straight from its upstairs neighbor Chalk Point Kitchen. And don't worry—there was plenty of pork-fat goodness left over for us to snack on after the shoot.
From behind the bar...
Name: Elijah Servance III
If this drink had a soundtrack, what would it be? "Use Me" by Bill Withers
Best place to get day drunk: 169 Bar on the Lower East Side. A bunch of firemen and cops go––it's a crazy mix of characters.
Hangover cure: The really big Vita Coco and a bacon, egg & cheese on a roll.
Your summer getaway: To get away from the noise, I love to going to Long Island even if it's just for a couple of hours.
Favorite summer tradition: I like a beach party with plastic cups, glass bottles in the bag...you know.
What are some red-light signs that someone’s been overserved? Aggression is the key thing. It doesn’t even have to be in a violent sense, but once they get matter-of-fact about everything they say and don’t let anybody else get a word in edgewise, that’s usually the first giveaway.
Are there any personality traits that are essential to a being a bartender? You've got to be open-minded. Everybody needs downtime, so you’re going to come across every single personality type. Obviously, some are going to be the kind of people you would never hang out with, but at the same time, you want a nice percentage of the money in their pocket… [Laughs]
Exclusive Recipe: Orange Maple Old-Fashioned
OC Alcohol Scale*: 8
"There's a lot of bourbon in there!"
.25 oz. maple syrup
.5 oz. orange juice (for extra flavor, use blood oranges)
3 oz. Woodford Reserve Bourbon
3 dashes of orange bitters
1 orange wedge
1 slice think-cut bacon
1. In a rocks glass, muddle maple syrup, orange bitters, and orange slice.
2. Add bourbon and ice.
3. Stir and garnish with an orange peel and bacon.
*OC's Alcohol Scale ranges from 1 ("like sippin' from a juice box") to 10 ("take me home—right now").
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Photos by Jessica Chou
Decorated with photographs by Bob Gruen and adorned with an old-school grand piano perfect for live performances during its signature “Prohibition Hour,” The Handy Liquor Bar is the underground summer haunt to escape the busy streets of SoHo. So, in honor of the bar’s intimate and cozy interior, The Handy’s cocktail aficionado Elijah Servance III whipped up an "Orange Maple Old-Fashioned" with a bacon twist, straight from its upstairs neighbor Chalk Point Kitchen. And don't worry—there was plenty of pork-fat goodness left over for us to snack on after the shoot.
From behind the bar...
Name: Elijah Servance III
If this drink had a soundtrack, what would it be? "Use Me" by Bill Withers
Best place to get day drunk: 169 Bar on the Lower East Side. A bunch of firemen and cops go––it's a crazy mix of characters.
Hangover cure: The really big Vita Coco and a bacon, egg & cheese on a roll.
Your summer getaway: To get away from the noise, I love to going to Long Island even if it's just for a couple of hours.
Favorite summer tradition: I like a beach party with plastic cups, glass bottles in the bag...you know.
What are some red-light signs that someone’s been overserved? Aggression is the key thing. It doesn’t even have to be in a violent sense, but once they get matter-of-fact about everything they say and don’t let anybody else get a word in edgewise, that’s usually the first giveaway.
Are there any personality traits that are essential to a being a bartender? You've got to be open-minded. Everybody needs downtime, so you’re going to come across every single personality type. Obviously, some are going to be the kind of people you would never hang out with, but at the same time, you want a nice percentage of the money in their pocket… [Laughs]
Exclusive Recipe: Orange Maple Old-Fashioned
OC Alcohol Scale*: 8
"There's a lot of bourbon in there!"
.25 oz. maple syrup
.5 oz. orange juice (for extra flavor, use blood oranges)
3 oz. Woodford Reserve Bourbon
3 dashes of orange bitters
1 orange wedge
1 slice think-cut bacon
1. In a rocks glass, muddle maple syrup, orange bitters, and orange slice.
2. Add bourbon and ice.
3. Stir and garnish with an orange peel and bacon.
*OC's Alcohol Scale ranges from 1 ("like sippin' from a juice box") to 10 ("take me home—right now").
Photos by Jessica Chou