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...
January: the month of renewed gym memberships, juice cleanses, and vows to never-do-that-one-thing-ever-again. But just because we’re in the first month of a new year doesn’t mean we have to stop drinking — we just have to drink better.
Enter Sheltering Sky, at McCarren Hotel & Pool. The rooftop lounge, dimly lit with candles and boasting some serious skyline action, created a smoky, tangy cocktail that won’t break your resolutions.
Name: Tintin Huss
If this drink had a soundtrack, what would it be? “Cell Mates” by Mariachi El Bronx
Drink of choice: Dirty martini
Hangover cure: Dirty martini
Best date advice: Go to a lively place where you feel comfortable and where you know the bartender. If the bartender knows you, they’re going to want it to work out.
Worst pick-up: A friend was talking to a customer once and they were hitting it off, so they decided to go into the bathroom. He was about to go down on her, only to find that she was, well, a guy. Instead of freaking out, he just got up and politely said, "You know, I don’t think this is going to work out."
What not to do to your bartender: I can take a lot, but don’t annoy or bother other guests. I take that more seriously than anything you do to me.
Exclusive Recipe: Smoke & Mirrors
OC Alcohol Scale*: 6
“It’s a sour. It’s very light.”
2 oz mezcal
¾ oz lemon juice
¾ oz raspberry syrup
¾ oz orange juice
Shake all ingredients together, strain over ice, and garnish with an orange peel.
*OC's Alcohol Scale ranges from 1 ("like sippin' from a juice box") to 10 ("take me home—right now")![]()
Smoke & Mirrors. Photos by Jessica Chou![]()
Carefully measure out your separate ingredients. ![]()
Shake all ingredients together.![]()
Strain over ice.![]()
Add the finishing touches!![]()
Garnish your cocktail with an orange peel.
January: the month of renewed gym memberships, juice cleanses, and vows to never-do-that-one-thing-ever-again. But just because we’re in the first month of a new year doesn’t mean we have to stop drinking — we just have to drink better.
Enter Sheltering Sky, at McCarren Hotel & Pool. The rooftop lounge, dimly lit with candles and boasting some serious skyline action, created a smoky, tangy cocktail that won’t break your resolutions.
Name: Tintin Huss
If this drink had a soundtrack, what would it be? “Cell Mates” by Mariachi El Bronx
Drink of choice: Dirty martini
Hangover cure: Dirty martini
Best date advice: Go to a lively place where you feel comfortable and where you know the bartender. If the bartender knows you, they’re going to want it to work out.
Worst pick-up: A friend was talking to a customer once and they were hitting it off, so they decided to go into the bathroom. He was about to go down on her, only to find that she was, well, a guy. Instead of freaking out, he just got up and politely said, "You know, I don’t think this is going to work out."
What not to do to your bartender: I can take a lot, but don’t annoy or bother other guests. I take that more seriously than anything you do to me.
Exclusive Recipe: Smoke & Mirrors
OC Alcohol Scale*: 6
“It’s a sour. It’s very light.”
2 oz mezcal
¾ oz lemon juice
¾ oz raspberry syrup
¾ oz orange juice
Shake all ingredients together, strain over ice, and garnish with an orange peel.
*OC's Alcohol Scale ranges from 1 ("like sippin' from a juice box") to 10 ("take me home—right now")
Smoke & Mirrors. Photos by Jessica Chou
Carefully measure out your separate ingredients. 
Shake all ingredients together.
Strain over ice.
Add the finishing touches!
Garnish your cocktail with an orange peel.