Pop, fizz, pour, stir, add and sip. With a bottle of booze, selection of purees and handful of garnishes, you can whip up a brunch cocktail the way you like it. Call your crew, reserve a table (because you can) and be the bartender at brunch this weekend with these 5 build-your-own DIY brunch cocktails.
5 DIY Cocktails NYC
DIY Prosecco Bar at Sotto 13
This has been the go-to girls-only brunch spot for many occasions now – birthday bashes, bachelorette parties, “single-on-Valentine’s Day” celebrations, etc. Why is Sotto 13 a solid brunch spot? Because ladies love sparkling wine at this West Village neighborhood gem. The DIY Prosecco Bar allows guests to mix and match three seasonal fruit purees, two liqueurs and garnishes with flowing glasses of sparkling prosecco. Enjoy the bubbly during Sotto 13’s “Social Brunch” where a variety of dishes are ordered for the table, in addition to one wood-fired pizza, and even more cocktails to share. 140 W 13th St between 6th & 7th Aves, 212-647-1001, sotto13.com
Mimosa Service at Isabella’s
Let’s be honest – Isabella’s is complete mayhem during the day on weekends. There is Central Park, Museum of Natural History, weekly flea market… the list goes on. But that shouldn’t stop brunch-goers from, well, brunching. Every Saturday and Sunday, the stroller-friendly establishment offers Mimosa Service (The Service is available in a smaller version during the lunch meal period Monday through Friday) where UWS moms, vacationing tourists and anyone looking to quench their thirst can order a bottle of champagne and receive a choice of three juices: either orange, peach, cranberry or grapefruit. Champagne options range from $36 Poema Cava to $70 Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label. 359 Columbus Ave at West 77th St, 212-724-2100, isabellas.com
Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar at Kingsley
Let the Bloody (Mary) Battle begin. We already gave you a sneak peek of Kingsley’s Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar, but let’s talk about it again. Located in the front of the restaurant is the garnish bar where guests choose from a spread of 20+ garden-grown toppings from Chef Roxanne Spruance to load up their pint glass of classic Bloody Mary or Maria. Although the spread changes weekly, the staples are bacon strips, roasted ham, marinated octopus, shrimp, select cheeses, pickled vegetables, hot sauces, pretzels, lemons, limes, herbs and, our favorite, celery. 190 Avenue B at East 12th St, 212-674-4500, kingsleynyc.com
DIY Bloody Mary Bar at Saxon + Parole
At this equestrian-themed American eatery, guests are given a glass of freshly squeezed vodka-based tomato-vegetable juice (tomato, carrot, cucumber, red pepper, and celery) then directed toward the garnish table to season to their liking. Choose up to 30 garnishes like olives, pickled okra and beans, fresh cherry tomatoes, and celery and carrot sticks. All garnishes are prepared weekly by head bartenders Masa Urushido and Maxime Belfand. 316 Bowery at Bleecker St, 212-254-0350, saxonandparole.com
Blend-Your-Own Bellini Bar at Park Avenue Autumn
Head mixologist Bryan Schneider understands the importance of the cocktail culture, however – with his heavy sense of humour – he wants to see how you will concoct a ‘tail (then laugh about it). “Cocktails should be like a good joke: lighthearted, innovative, witty, and most importantly, easy to swallow,” explains Schneider. As seasons change annually, so does the seasonal nature of the restaurant, as well as the cocktail program that evokes the flavors and aesthetic associated with Park Avenue Autumn (Winter, Spring and Summer). Current seasonal flavors for Autumn include grapefruit and cinnamon, blackberry ginger, mulled cider and morello cherry. Our suggestion: try them all. 360 Park Ave South at East 26th St, 212-951-7111, parkavenyc.com
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