This summer, OC got you Tipsy and Tan. Now, we're just getting you tipsy. Meet Fridays at Five, our cocktail series where mixologists at New York City’s white-hot new restaurants create OC-exclusive drinks for our readers. Drinking on the job? Don't mind if we do...
Sure, December is the time for milk and cookies and plenty of desserts, but sometimes, an orange is all you need. After all, a small mandarin is traditionally used to fill the toe of a Christmas stocking.
So leave it to Analogue to revamp holiday boozing. West Village’s latest whiskey-centric jazz bar took a cue from this season’s flavors and mixed a pre-dinner drink that won’t make you feel bloated. Eggnog is delicious as dessert, but this apple-mandarin combination is all that’s needed to kick off a party. Pair with Miles Davis spinning on a record player, some passed hors d'oeuvres, and a pair of Moschino ankle strap heels for good tidings. Happy holidays!
Name: Cliff Mejia
If this drink had a soundtrack, what would it be? “Flamenco Sketches” by Miles Davis
Drink of choice: Negroni’s the way to go. Everything is there: sweetness, booziness, bitterness.
Hangover cure: Water and a grilled cheese. Some American on rye—toss it in a pan.
Best date advice: Nowadays I see a man ordering first or ordering for a lady. I mean, recommendations are nice, but don’t be aggressive. And ladies first, always.
Worst pick-up: Once I worked at this Italian restaurant around Meatpacking, and a lady, a regular, would come in with a [covered] book and read with a glass of wine. One time, this guy got a few drinks in and read two or three lines behind her shoulder. He compares himself to a character in it, telling her he can take her home, listing all the rough things he would do to her. She just picked up her wine and threw it in his face. We bought her a round. It was a beautiful moment.
What not to do to your bartender: Definitely don’t ask to put a little more booze in your drink, like, “Top me off.” Especially since we’re a cocktail bar.
Exclusive Recipe: Flamenco Sketches
OC Alcohol Scale*: 6
“It’s very light, very refreshing, but still has a wintry feel to it.”
2 oz Daron Calvados apple brandy
1 oz lemon juice
½ oz simple syrup
½ oz Mandarine Napoléon liqueur
1 oz apple puree
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Combine all ingredients in a glass and shake with ice. Strain into a coup glass and garnish with cinnamon.
*OC's Alcohol Scale ranges from 1 ("like sippin' from a juice box") to 10 ("take me home—right now")![]()
Flamenco Sketches. Photos by Jessica Chou![]()
Our ingredients this week!![]()
Combine your ingredients in a glass and give them a good shake.![]()
Strain into your glass.![]()
Garnish with a bit of cinnamon.
Sure, December is the time for milk and cookies and plenty of desserts, but sometimes, an orange is all you need. After all, a small mandarin is traditionally used to fill the toe of a Christmas stocking.
So leave it to Analogue to revamp holiday boozing. West Village’s latest whiskey-centric jazz bar took a cue from this season’s flavors and mixed a pre-dinner drink that won’t make you feel bloated. Eggnog is delicious as dessert, but this apple-mandarin combination is all that’s needed to kick off a party. Pair with Miles Davis spinning on a record player, some passed hors d'oeuvres, and a pair of Moschino ankle strap heels for good tidings. Happy holidays!
Name: Cliff Mejia
If this drink had a soundtrack, what would it be? “Flamenco Sketches” by Miles Davis
Drink of choice: Negroni’s the way to go. Everything is there: sweetness, booziness, bitterness.
Hangover cure: Water and a grilled cheese. Some American on rye—toss it in a pan.
Best date advice: Nowadays I see a man ordering first or ordering for a lady. I mean, recommendations are nice, but don’t be aggressive. And ladies first, always.
Worst pick-up: Once I worked at this Italian restaurant around Meatpacking, and a lady, a regular, would come in with a [covered] book and read with a glass of wine. One time, this guy got a few drinks in and read two or three lines behind her shoulder. He compares himself to a character in it, telling her he can take her home, listing all the rough things he would do to her. She just picked up her wine and threw it in his face. We bought her a round. It was a beautiful moment.
What not to do to your bartender: Definitely don’t ask to put a little more booze in your drink, like, “Top me off.” Especially since we’re a cocktail bar.
Exclusive Recipe: Flamenco Sketches
OC Alcohol Scale*: 6
“It’s very light, very refreshing, but still has a wintry feel to it.”
2 oz Daron Calvados apple brandy
1 oz lemon juice
½ oz simple syrup
½ oz Mandarine Napoléon liqueur
1 oz apple puree
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Combine all ingredients in a glass and shake with ice. Strain into a coup glass and garnish with cinnamon.
*OC's Alcohol Scale ranges from 1 ("like sippin' from a juice box") to 10 ("take me home—right now")
Flamenco Sketches. Photos by Jessica Chou
Our ingredients this week!
Combine your ingredients in a glass and give them a good shake.
Strain into your glass.
Garnish with a bit of cinnamon.