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...
Let’s face it: Places—and people—are infinitely more interesting when they have a raunchy past. With that in mind, Happy Ending, a French-influenced bistro, is kind of right up our alley. Named for the original "massage" parlor that occupied the space, the LES joint first became a club (also with a scandalous reputation), until finally, a Joël Robuchon veteran turned it into a proper dinner- drinks-dance haunt.
Save for the name, the team at Happy Ending revamped everything about the interiors, bringing in a grand piano, a minimalist neon sign, and futuristic art thanks to Marlborough Chelsea director Max Levai, a partner in the restaurant. Of course, the drink list is hardly basic. Take the Dr. No, a spicy-sweet concoction that, if done right, is mostly tequila. And you know we have a thing for tequila.
Name: Teddy Perweiler
If this drink had a soundtrack, what would it be? “Kingston Calpyso” by Byron Lee and the Dragonaires
Drink of choice: Tequila, over ice or right out of the bottle.
Hangover cure: It used to be the Russian bathhouse, but now it’s the I.V. Doctor. The nurse practitioner comes to your house, straps you to an I.V., and not only do you feel better, it’s as if nothing. ever. happened.
Best date advice: Liquid courage helps, but don’t take yourself too seriously.
Worst pick-up: How much time you got? I’ve seen some serious fails. Mostly they’re just belligerent, and don’t understand that people aren’t interested.
What not to do to your bartender: Don’t tell him he’s making the drink incorrectly in front of the person it’s for.
Exclusive Recipe: Dr. No
OC Alcohol Scale*: 8
“It’s almost all tequila.”
1 ¾ oz tequila infused with jalapenos and ginger
½ oz fresh lime juice
½ oz triple sec
Fresh ginger
Muddle ginger in a glass and add tequila, lime juice, and triple sec. Shake with ice and pour. Garnish with fresh ginger and candied ginger.
*OC's Alcohol Scale ranges from 1 ("like sippin' from a juice box") to 10 ("take me home—right now")![]()
The Dr. No. Photos by Jessica Chou![]()
Our ingredients for this week. ![]()
Muddle the ginger in your glass.![]()
Add in the tequila...![]()
... and some tr
Let’s face it: Places—and people—are infinitely more interesting when they have a raunchy past. With that in mind, Happy Ending, a French-influenced bistro, is kind of right up our alley. Named for the original "massage" parlor that occupied the space, the LES joint first became a club (also with a scandalous reputation), until finally, a Joël Robuchon veteran turned it into a proper dinner- drinks-dance haunt.
Save for the name, the team at Happy Ending revamped everything about the interiors, bringing in a grand piano, a minimalist neon sign, and futuristic art thanks to Marlborough Chelsea director Max Levai, a partner in the restaurant. Of course, the drink list is hardly basic. Take the Dr. No, a spicy-sweet concoction that, if done right, is mostly tequila. And you know we have a thing for tequila.
Name: Teddy Perweiler
If this drink had a soundtrack, what would it be? “Kingston Calpyso” by Byron Lee and the Dragonaires
Drink of choice: Tequila, over ice or right out of the bottle.
Hangover cure: It used to be the Russian bathhouse, but now it’s the I.V. Doctor. The nurse practitioner comes to your house, straps you to an I.V., and not only do you feel better, it’s as if nothing. ever. happened.
Best date advice: Liquid courage helps, but don’t take yourself too seriously.
Worst pick-up: How much time you got? I’ve seen some serious fails. Mostly they’re just belligerent, and don’t understand that people aren’t interested.
What not to do to your bartender: Don’t tell him he’s making the drink incorrectly in front of the person it’s for.
Exclusive Recipe: Dr. No
OC Alcohol Scale*: 8
“It’s almost all tequila.”
1 ¾ oz tequila infused with jalapenos and ginger
½ oz fresh lime juice
½ oz triple sec
Fresh ginger
Muddle ginger in a glass and add tequila, lime juice, and triple sec. Shake with ice and pour. Garnish with fresh ginger and candied ginger.
*OC's Alcohol Scale ranges from 1 ("like sippin' from a juice box") to 10 ("take me home—right now")
The Dr. No. Photos by Jessica Chou
Our ingredients for this week. 
Muddle the ginger in your glass.
Add in the tequila...
... and some tr