Tired of toting along the same old chips and beer to your summer picnics and rooftop parties? Fear not! "Wet Hot OC Summer" is upping the ante with a simple cocktail how-tos. This week's comes Nights and Weekends in Greenpoint.
When asked to compare Nights and Weekends to its neighbor restaurant, Five Leaves, mixologist and co-founder Dan gave me this anecdote, "Imagine the weird, adopted cousin a TV show introduces in season five—-that's Nights and Weekends." Check out Dan's foolproof cocktail recipe below, and drop by Five Leaves where this cocktail, renamed "The OC," will be featured on their drinks menu!
Cocktail name: Formerly "Serpico Fizz", now "The OC"!
Ingredients:
2 oz. Espolon Blanco Tequila
2 slices of fresh fennel
4 oz. Dr. Brown’s Cel-Ray soda
.5 oz. fresh lime juice
Ground pink peppercorns
Celery stalk
Method: See image captions
Potency (on a scale of 1-10): I’d say it’s a 6 on potency, but an 8 or 9 in terms of “ease of sipping threat level.”
Words to describe the flavor: Clean, refreshing, and vegetal with a kick
Inspired by: When I think outdoor summer drinks, I immediately go to tequila. But often summer drinks go sweet or citrus and I wanted to do something a bit different, while still maintaining the idea of “light and refreshing.” Dr. Brown’s Cel-Ray soda has the zip of ginger beer but with a bit more of a pepper and vegetable lean to it. To boot, Cel-Ray soda has a storied history in Williamsburg, dating back to 1886 when it was first produced. The original name of this drink comes from both the appearance of Cel-Ray soda in the film, Serpico, and the fact that the events of the film (and of Frank Serpico’s real life) happened right around here in Williamsburg and Greenpoint.
Best drunk where: Outside, either in a park or on a beach, and definitely surrounded by happy people.
Best paired with what food: Given the ingredients and flavors, veggies and seafood. The celery flavor will compliment oysters or grilled fish perfectly.
If this drink had soundtrack, what would it be?: I think it’d be the Rushmore soundtrack. Just hear me out: It’s full of great tunes, (The Kinks, Faces, The Who, plus the terrific instrumental Mothersbaugh stuff) and in the film, Max writes a hilarious theatrical version of Serpico which he puts on at his prep school. So there you have it—dots connected!
Take it next level with: Substitute .5oz of Green Chartreuse for the fennel. This will keep that delicate anise and herb flavor while making the drink far more potent (Green Chartreuse is 110 proof).
NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS
1 Bedford Ave.
Brooklyn, 11222
MAP
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Step 1: Prepare for cocktail making by slicing your fennel and celery sticks
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Step 2: In your picnic cup, muddle two
When asked to compare Nights and Weekends to its neighbor restaurant, Five Leaves, mixologist and co-founder Dan gave me this anecdote, "Imagine the weird, adopted cousin a TV show introduces in season five—-that's Nights and Weekends." Check out Dan's foolproof cocktail recipe below, and drop by Five Leaves where this cocktail, renamed "The OC," will be featured on their drinks menu!
Cocktail name: Formerly "Serpico Fizz", now "The OC"!
Ingredients:
2 oz. Espolon Blanco Tequila
2 slices of fresh fennel
4 oz. Dr. Brown’s Cel-Ray soda
.5 oz. fresh lime juice
Ground pink peppercorns
Celery stalk
Method: See image captions
Potency (on a scale of 1-10): I’d say it’s a 6 on potency, but an 8 or 9 in terms of “ease of sipping threat level.”
Words to describe the flavor: Clean, refreshing, and vegetal with a kick
Inspired by: When I think outdoor summer drinks, I immediately go to tequila. But often summer drinks go sweet or citrus and I wanted to do something a bit different, while still maintaining the idea of “light and refreshing.” Dr. Brown’s Cel-Ray soda has the zip of ginger beer but with a bit more of a pepper and vegetable lean to it. To boot, Cel-Ray soda has a storied history in Williamsburg, dating back to 1886 when it was first produced. The original name of this drink comes from both the appearance of Cel-Ray soda in the film, Serpico, and the fact that the events of the film (and of Frank Serpico’s real life) happened right around here in Williamsburg and Greenpoint.
Best drunk where: Outside, either in a park or on a beach, and definitely surrounded by happy people.
Best paired with what food: Given the ingredients and flavors, veggies and seafood. The celery flavor will compliment oysters or grilled fish perfectly.
If this drink had soundtrack, what would it be?: I think it’d be the Rushmore soundtrack. Just hear me out: It’s full of great tunes, (The Kinks, Faces, The Who, plus the terrific instrumental Mothersbaugh stuff) and in the film, Max writes a hilarious theatrical version of Serpico which he puts on at his prep school. So there you have it—dots connected!
Take it next level with: Substitute .5oz of Green Chartreuse for the fennel. This will keep that delicate anise and herb flavor while making the drink far more potent (Green Chartreuse is 110 proof).
NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS
1 Bedford Ave.
Brooklyn, 11222
MAP
Step 1: Prepare for cocktail making by slicing your fennel and celery sticks
Step 2: In your picnic cup, muddle two