5 Must Try Cocktails Heating Up NYC

New York City’s bar scene doesn’t slow down for the heat—in fact, it thrives in it.

From rooftop lounges to tucked-away speakeasies, bartenders across the five boroughs are shaking up bold, seasonal drinks designed to cool you down and keep things fresh. Whether you’re into garden-inspired gin, high-proof tropicals, or playful twists on classics, these five standout cocktails are defining the flavor of summer in NYC right now.

Tulum is closer to NYC than you think. At the bustling Pier 17 is a Yucatán fever dream – Gitano NYC, where the vibes flow as freely as the mezcal. But if you aren’t in the mood to sip this Mexican elixir neat, Gitano NYC’s flirty summer cocktails will easily meet your needs.

Kisses in the Car will make your summer a little spicier. It’s a juicy tropical rendezvous on the palate – passionfruit meets mandarin juice to dangerously disguise Bacardi in each sip. But not so fast – a good bit of Rosaluna mezcal leaves your palate with a slither of smoke, heightened by the fruity spice of habanero bitters that will keep you sipping some more.

The Standard Highline Soda Pop Up

The espresso martini has a new fit this summer, and you can only find it at The Standard Soda Shop – the hotel’s new summer pop-up that’s a portal right to the 1950s.

A retro chrome bar, vinyl blue seats, root beer floats—The Standard Soda Shop is a stroll into a scene of Grease. But here, the only thing you’ll be hopelessly devoted to is their limited edition menu, which includes their mighty Espresso Martini Shake.

The Espresso Martini Shake is an icy, delicious dance of nostalgia – its classic shake glass and creaminess call on your inner child, especially when you see that straw and whipped cream on top. The espresso and Irish cream lend a bittersweetness that lets you know this is indeed an adult beverage, with a good tequila kick that keeps you savoring every sip.

Safe to say this is the gateway for those who have yet to hop on the Espresso Martini train.

When that sun shower hits, Death & Co is the best place to escape the rain, though we both know there’s no way to dry in this post-Prohibition wonderland. This temple of liquid alchemy transformed America’s drinking culture when it opened back in 2006. And it’s still serving up some of the best summer cocktails around.

One drink that will definitely put a spell on you this summer is Naked & Famous – a smoky cocktail that charms in its simplicity. Its citrusy character keeps things chill, while its finish leaves you somewhere in the beautiful Mexican countryside, thanks tto he magical mix of mezcal and chartreuse. With a kick of lime at the finish, you’ll be questioning why you opt for margaritas when Naked & Famous is around.

Who said iced lattes are only for the morning?

Experimental Cocktail Club transforms NYC’s beloved oatmilk latte into a late-night beverage. ECC is a low-key Flatiron bar that is the perfect balance of urban and elegance, and Milk Money shows just how they’re commanding the summer cocktail flow.

Milk Money is an eclectic vodka-based coffee cocktail with some real complexity. Its velvety coffee body – powered by Mr Black coffee liqueur – is leveled up with cold brew and oat milk for a bittersweet tango. Though the real fun comes at the finish: Milk Money is served with a salted condensed foam, which becomes ridiculously seductive in each sip as it combines with the essence of the cocktail’s fat wash – an umami concoction of black sesame and charred oat dust.

Who ever thought that MTA-themed cocktails would happen. But with a transportation system so belovedly unique, there’s only inspiration to take.

The Boerum Hill institution will not fail you in any cocktail pursuits, and its latest menu will satisfy – especially with its first item: the Dirty Dog Martini, a genius homage to the hot dog peddlers that define NYC. Its dirty, but refined – just like we like our New York summers.

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