Espresso martini
Astral Reposed Tequila, Amaro Nonino, Amaretto, Mr. Black Coffee, espresso, oat orgeat, sea salt, orange essence | *not from a hotel, just delicious – $16
Corpse Reviver no. 2
New Amsterdam Gin, Cointreau, lemon, and an Absinthe rinse | American Bar, Savoy Hotel in London, England – $15
*If you were ordering in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, asking for a Corpse Reviver was the equivalent to saying you'd spent the previous evening out on the town. It was intended to be a "hair of the dog" style remedy.
Sidecar
Hennessy Cognac, Cointreau, lemon, and sugar | Hemingway Bar, The Ritz in Paris, France – $15
*Crafted during the First World War by an American captain. He named the drink after a motorcycle sidecar in which he was chauffeured to and from the bar.
Sazerac
Jack Daniel’s Bonded Rye, Peychaud’s Bitters, and Herbsaint | Grunewald Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana – $16
*By 1850, the sazerac was the first "branded" cocktail. The story goes that back in 1838, Creole apothecary Antoine Peychaud invented the Sazerac in his shop. Later, American Rye replaced cognac. The final variation is attributed to the Grunewald Hotel (now the Roosevelt New Orleans). They've been serving them to everyone who's anyone since 1938.
Hotel Nacional
Havana Club Añejo Blanco Rum, Star & Key VSOP Rum, Giffard Crème de Pêche, pineapple, and lime | Hotel Nacional de Cuba in Havana, Cuba – $16
*Loosely modeled on the daiquiri, but the pineapple juice provides a sweet counterpart to the citrus, and the touch of Giffard Crème de Pêche gives it a bit of mystery. In the 1930s, the Hotel Nacional de Cuba was one of the world’s grandest and this cocktail was crafted to help to reinforce Havana’s reputation as a comfortable cocktail destination for Prohibition-weary Americans.
Moonwalk
Grand Marnier, grapefruit, rose water, and sparkling rosé | American Bar, Savoy Hotel in London, England – $15
*This citrusy, sweet champagne cocktail was created to commemorate the Apollo 11 moon landing and was the first thing astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin sipped upon returning to earth.
Vieux Carre
Elijah Craig Rye, Hine VSOP, Cocchi Torino, and Dom Benedictine | Carousel Bar, Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans, Louisiana – $15
*Pronounced vyur·kaa·ray, this means ‘Old Square’ or ‘Old Quarter’ in French which was the original name for New Orleans’ French Quarter. This cocktail tributes the many influences (American, French, Italian, and Caribbean) that had shaped the oldest section of New Orleans.
Things worth mentioning: A credit card is required to start a tab, no exceptions. Credit cards are preauthorized (a temporary hold to ensure funds) for $15, but once the transaction is settled, any preauthorization holds will be consolidated with your tab. An automatic 20% gratuity is applied to all unclosed tabs at the close of service. All theft is quickly prosecuted so please do not help yourself to our bar tools, glassware, or decor (yes, it happens; you may be charged and you will not be welcome back). We have a zero-tolerance policy for impolite or hateful behavior – be nice.
*Consumer Advisory: Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions.