Yes, that's a nearly naked lady entertaining the troops at the 42 Below Cocktai World Cup NY Finals a few weeks back. Burlesque performers fit nicely into this year's Cup motif of Carnival, and there were plenty on hand in the penthouse at The Royalton, a very cool and very intimate space for this kind of congenially decadent gathering. Oh yes, and there were cocktails galore from talented bartenders from around the city.
The ever-charming Meghan Dorman of Raine's Law Room created something using Banks 5 Island Rum and champagne, which she sabred, in an exciting moment of showmanship. I've spoken to several women who've confided that they've become obsessed with sabre-ing, so I'm calling this micro-trend now.
Meghan pouring the sabred champers.
But it was T.J. Lynch of Highlands and its little sister bar, Mary Queen Of Scots (above R, with Jim Wrigley of Santa Thersea Rum) who mixed up the drink that bewitched me. Using 42 Below's signature Manuka varietal, he built a beguiling tropical cocktail around the potent base. What is it about Manuka honey that's so compelling? Its strange malty saltiness is difficult to describe--it tastes like something you had once a long time ago, on some charmedl night barely remembered. The honey is native to New Zealand and the Maori used it to treat all manner of ailments, and it's still in common use for treating burns and skin irritations. It certainly has a soothing quality to the palatte, and the senses. It can be unwieldy in a cocktail however, overwhelming the other flavors when misshandled (which is why I often take it on the rocks.) T.J. savvily split the difference between the straight 42 Below vodka and the Manuka, cutting its intensity with a 1.5/.5 ratio. Ginger Liqueur, grilled pineapple set ablaze and another tricky flavor, Key Lime juice, took "The Innie" home, and Thai Basil leaves completed the picture. Just perfect.
THE INNIE
1.5 oz 42 Below Vodka
.5 oz 42 Below Manuka Honey
.5 oz Key lime juice
2 oz Grilled Pineapple*
.5 oz ginger liqueur
8 Thai basil leavs
Muddle Basil and pineapple. add remaining Ingredients and shake. Strain into coupe or martini glass. Garnish with grilled pineapple & and set on fire.
*Grilled Pineapple: Soak pineapple slices in oveproofed alcohol for 4 + Hrs. Place on grill or hot stone to set ablaze.
Abigail Gullo of Fort Defiance mixed up a rather showy cocktail--setting things on fire is generally a good idea in competitions like this, particularly when the theme of the Cup is a circus one.
MAHUIKA'S HAND
1 oz 42 Below Vodka
1/2 oz Campari
3/4 oz Lime juice
3/4 oz spiced simple syrup
Bar spoon Pimento Dram
Shake and pour over crushed ice. Garnish with a spent lime shell filled with a sugar cube soaked in high proof vodka..light on FIRE!
Abigail said: "Mahuika is the Maori goddess of fire. Maui stole fire from her fingertips. You can try this with 42 Below Passion too. Its hot...very hot."
Hams, unite! New York winners Abigail and Karen Fu of PDT with 42 Below's "Brand Racontuer" Paul Franich, a man who wears a 1963 style suit and bowtie as well as a speedo. I think his secret if that he just doesn't think about it once he's put it on, whatever it is. A couple weeks later he wore a clown suit and the US Finals, and he looked weirdly good in that, too. There's an effortless aplomb there that seems to come from not taking any of it seriously.
Gracious in defeat, T.J. congratulates Abigail on her win.
A sampler pack of lovelies.
To celebrate her victory a friend and I whisked Abigail off to Stonewall, where we got our friend and hostess Epiphany to call her up on stage to congratulate her on her win. The banter that ensued! These girls love the stage.
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