EMBURY COCKTAILS

Saturday Special: Saxon + Parole's Pimm's Cup

This all-day sipper comes from Naren Young of Saxon + Parole . The pleasures of enjoying this fresh, fruit-laden mellow concoction whilst sitting in the outside dining area as cabs crawl past down the Bowery can't be understated. And it's perfectly simple to make at home--and malleable, as it's construction is by nature eclectic and personal. Whatever fresh fruit is available and looks good belongs in a Pimm's Cup. Here's Naren's recipe, cued towards the personal serving. I recommend going for the pitcher.

SAXON + PAROLE'S PIMM'S CUP

1.5 oz. Pimm's

1/2 oz. Pierre Ferrand Orange Curaçao

1/2 oz. Hendrick's Gin

Dash lemon juice

Top with Fever Tree Bitter Lemon, garnish with reckless abandon.

Looks like Naren's garnishes for this one include cucumber, raspebrry, orange and a slender stalk of lavender, a nicely British touch.

SAXON + PAROLE, 316 Bowery at Bleecker, 212.254.0530

Friday Night Cocktails: Jonny Sweat

After making cocktails at a party at the Joseph Abboud showroom the other night I came home quite knackered. When my friend who'd worked the party with me demanded I make him a drink I went with what was simple and on hand. We had some Basil Hayden's bourbon left over from the event, and some Meyer Lemons. I poured a healthy 2 oz. of BH over ice in a large rocks glass, then topped with about 1 1/2 oz of soda (from my beloved Sodastream, which is great for making non-cloying or syrupy soda water).  The Meyer was a bit overripe--too far gone to go into our bitters--but its richness suited the occasion, and a substantial section was squeezed over the drink and then dropped in. Apparently Basil Hayden's and Meyer Lemons are a perfect complement, with the rich brioche-y, white flower notes of the bourbon dovetailing beautifully with the opulent creaminess of the Meyers. A perfect 2-ingredients-and-a-garnish drink, simple as hell and the perfect salve for a sweaty summer night in New York City. 

The next night I tried it again on another friend who was so enraptured he dubbed it "Jonny Sweat". Whence the name? He described the drink as being "what you wring out of Jon Hamm's t-shirt after he's mowed the lawn in the hot sun."  Quite an image! And quite a drink. Best one I've come up with in quite a while. J.R.