What cocktails are hot this summer? From a Negroni Sbagliato to a Hugo Spritz (twist on the Aperol Spritz), these cocktails are making a splash this summer.
Mister Paradise s Party Lobster / Photo courtesy Mister Paradise
Orlando McCray is a White Claw man. “Truly is trash,” says the head bartender at Nightmoves, a sister bar to natural wine destination The Four Horsemen in Brooklyn, New York. “There are faux artisanal brands I have given a chance, but they’re not good.”
In 2020, “when things got real dark,” says McCray, the appeal of easy-drinking, no-thinking hard seltzers was even stronger for him and his hospitality comrades-in-arms.
“What’s funny is that I turned our wine director, Justin Chearno, onto hard seltzer as well, and as soon as I turned a natural wine person, I knew I was onto something,” he says.
I talk about Mahaniyom, a Thai restaurant that opened in Brookline shortly before the pandemic started, to anyone who will listen. From the soulful food to clever cocktails, they’ve become a go-to spot for me when I’m in search of truly excellent Thai food. I’m also a big gin and tonic fan, so Mahaniyom’s latest cocktail creation the Keg-Huay G&T is a bright spot at the end of this long, trying week. The canned drink is a collab with Nikka Coffey Gin and the Canned Cocktail Company, and features Chrysanthemum-infused gin and Fever Tree Tonic. They also just introduced the Mali Negroni, another canned cocktail using Nikka Coffey Gin, Avèze, vermouth, orange bitters, and jasmine. Grab ’em via takeout or delivery.