In our #ThirstyThursday series, TIPSY AND TAN, we ask consummate mixologists from New York City’s white-hot new restaurants and bars to create OC-exclusive drinks for our readers. Drinking on the job? Don't mind if we do...
New kid on the block Charlie Bird is the hip-hop loving restaurant that's quickly become a West Village staple. With a wine and liquor program that makes sommeliers geek out and plenty of outdoor seating for getting sloshed in the sun, we weren’t surprised when bartender extraordinaire Kyle Griffin whipped us up a mean “Street Cooler” perfect for any summertime patio kickback. And “’Cause it’s the summer,” Griffin forsook a splash of vermouth for some extra vodka. Translation: this cooler kicks ass!
From behind the bar...
Name: Kyle Griffin
If this drink had a soundtrack what would it be? "You Got Me" by The Roots ft. Erykah Badu
Best place to get day drunk: The Standard rooftop
Hangover cure: A Blood Mary
Your summer getaway: The Outer Banks in North Carolina. I’ve been going there since I was eight.
Favorite summer tradition: Laying on the beach and forgetting about everything
What are some red-light signs that someone’s been overserved? Eating steak with your hands
Are there any personality traits essential to a being a bartender? Knowing how to read the situation. Knowing when to talk and when to let people be.
Exclusive Recipe: "Street Cooler"
1.5 oz. Dry Vermouth
1 oz. Vodka
1 oz. Grapefruit juice
.5 oz. Lime juice
.25 oz. Simple syrup
2 splashes of bitters
1. Shake ingredients together.
2. Strain over fresh ice.
3. Garnish with orange slice.
OC Alcohol Scale*: 7.5
"There's 2.5 ounces of booze in there..."
*OC's Alcohol Scale ranges from 1 ("like sippin' from a juice box") to 10 ("take me home—right now").![]()
Photos by Jessica Chou![]()
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New kid on the block Charlie Bird is the hip-hop loving restaurant that's quickly become a West Village staple. With a wine and liquor program that makes sommeliers geek out and plenty of outdoor seating for getting sloshed in the sun, we weren’t surprised when bartender extraordinaire Kyle Griffin whipped us up a mean “Street Cooler” perfect for any summertime patio kickback. And “’Cause it’s the summer,” Griffin forsook a splash of vermouth for some extra vodka. Translation: this cooler kicks ass!
From behind the bar...
Name: Kyle Griffin
If this drink had a soundtrack what would it be? "You Got Me" by The Roots ft. Erykah Badu
Best place to get day drunk: The Standard rooftop
Hangover cure: A Blood Mary
Your summer getaway: The Outer Banks in North Carolina. I’ve been going there since I was eight.
Favorite summer tradition: Laying on the beach and forgetting about everything
What are some red-light signs that someone’s been overserved? Eating steak with your hands
Are there any personality traits essential to a being a bartender? Knowing how to read the situation. Knowing when to talk and when to let people be.
Exclusive Recipe: "Street Cooler"
1.5 oz. Dry Vermouth
1 oz. Vodka
1 oz. Grapefruit juice
.5 oz. Lime juice
.25 oz. Simple syrup
2 splashes of bitters
1. Shake ingredients together.
2. Strain over fresh ice.
3. Garnish with orange slice.
OC Alcohol Scale*: 7.5
"There's 2.5 ounces of booze in there..."
*OC's Alcohol Scale ranges from 1 ("like sippin' from a juice box") to 10 ("take me home—right now").
Photos by Jessica Chou
