You may have noticed that the Hudson Valley’s had a major beverage revolution. That reality pairs exceptionally well with our passionate and gifted community of innkeepers. Stopping in for a drink can be the perfect grace note after a day at the museum, a snowy hike, or a concert night. Not to mention, it’s one of the best cures for a stubborn case of cabin fever. Whether you’re looking to warm your insides with a spiced drink or momentarily escape to a sunny beach with something tropical, here’s a selection of what awaits at some of our fine local establishments.
boitson’s, kingston
“Cold-weather favorites are Autumn in New York (bourbon, myrtleberry and ginger liqueurs, cranberry, lime) and the Cinnamon Kingston (local honey-infused vodka, fresh lime, cinnamon simple syrup, orange juice). On Friday and Saturday nights, we do a late-night happy hour from 10 to 11pm with $1 oysters and drink specials.”
high falls cafe, high falls
“We run happy hour Tuesday through Friday, 4 to 7pm, $1 off all drinks, year-round. In winter, our best-loved drinks are the Black Cherry Hot Toddy and the Grapefruit Mule. For special events we do a warm mulled wine, and local cider with Captain Morgan is a favorite and always available in the winter.”
barrio kitchen, white lake
Margaritas come in seven varieties here: House, Corona-rita, Jalapeño, Rose Mint, Green Iguana, Strawberry, and Mezcal-rita. Specialty cocktails include El Branca (Fernet-Branca, añejo tequila, lime, and ginger), Rose-Fashioned (honey, whiskey, rosemary, cinnamon, bitters), and Dark and Stormy (dark rum, ginger, lime).
peekamoose restaurant, big indian
“Deanna will be featuring a Bergamot Sling when the temperatures dip just a little bit lower. We’ve recently fallen in love with gin as a winter spirit, and one of our favorite producers in our region are the folks over at Neversink Distillery. We love locally crafted booze! Their gin is made with an apple-based spirit with 11 botanicals. Deanna is adding bergamot and a reduced fig syrup and finishing it with a lemon peel.”
wm. farmer & sons, hudson
“The drink that immediately comes to mind is a new addition, the Royal Navy Old Fashioned, created here at Wm. Farmer & Sons by our bartender Rhys. Blended scotch whisky is the base spirit, and with the addition of walnut bitters, honey, and Smith and Cross rum, it is a balanced sipper with some great spice. Great for fall, winter, or any season in between.”
terrapin, rhinebeck
Fig Sidecar: spiced fig-infused Hennessy cognac, brandy, Cointreau, and fresh lemon juice (served up, chilled)
Toasted Pecan Old Fashioned: toasted pecan-infused Bulleit rye, muddled orange, bourbon cherries, and a dash of bitters
Sour Cherry Bourbon Manhattan: Maker’s Mark bourbon, house-soaked cherries, local Warwick cherry cordial (served up or on the rocks)
Chamomile and Honey Hot Toddy: chamomile-tea-infused Knob Creek bourbon with honey and lemon
crown lounge, kingston
“Tuesdays are $2 off our specialty and classic cocktails all night, Wednesdays are $2 off all wines by the glass and 20% off all bottles open, and Thursdays are $2 off all canned brews, ciders, and hard kombucha.”
Bette: Town Branch bourbon, Denizen dark rum, maple, cream, Scrappy’s cardamom bitters, nutmeg
Sarita: 123 Organic Reposado tequila, ancho chili, cacao, cinnamon, coffee, cream (served hot)
henry’s at buttermilk falls, milton
“Freddie is a dishwasher who’s been with us for about five years. The reason the cocktail is named after him is, while we were testing some new specialty cocktails for the autumn season, Freddie suggested something with rum. (He only drinks rum, but typically goes for fruity summer drinks.) The Henry’s bartending team had him try the prototype cinna-rum special. He loved it so much, he asked for it every shift meal after that. We knew it was a hit and put it on the menu, paying homage to him for all of his hard work and dedication to the Henry’s team.”
Freddie’s Cinna-Rum Special: Plantation rum, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup, cinnamon rim
hurricane grill & wings, poughkeepsie
“Our seasonal drink is a Cinnamon Apple Martini made with a cider and apple vodka fusion and cinnamon sugar rum. Our biggest sellers are the Hurricane Voodoo Juice—combination of five rum flavors—and Tropical Hurricane Margaritas. We’ve got 24 taps of draft beer. Happy Hour is Monday to Saturday, 3 to 7 pm, with 50% off craft beer and $5 select cocktails.”
lolita’s, poughkeepsie
“At Lolita’s Pizza we have two specials each week: On Tuesdays we do $10 take-out pizzas, and on Wednesdays we offer half-priced wine by the glass, carafe, or bottle! We have various specials each day that change weekly—drinks and food!”
beekman arms tavern, rhinebeck
“Over the fall and winter seasons we have a great spiced apple cider which we can serve as-is or with some rum or local bourbon added. It pairs nicely with a homemade apple cider donut next to the fire!”
1850 house, rosendale
“Honey Pear Margarita (December is National Pear month). We also have an Espresso Martini and a signature drink called the Local Smash.”
Honey Pear Margarita:tequila, simple syrup made with local honey, pear nectar, lime juice, Triple Sec Local Smash: bourbon, local apple cider, lemon juice, float of Grand Marnier
jar’d, new paltz
“Fall and winter drinks are our specialty! We have several menu items catering to warming the soul. We do a Winter Sandra and that doubles as mulled wine when heated up on our induction burner: Dressel Farms cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves, oranges, and red wine are simmered on low; served warm in one of our ceramic ‘torso’ mugs, made by our talented ceramicist bartender, Casey. Or serve it over ice and top with cava to make it a Winter Sangria. Casey takes orders for the torso mugs for customers. Custom made.
“Our most popular drinks right now seem to be the Bee's Knees, a classic cocktail made with local ingredients. I use Barr Hill, a floral gin from Vermont, and I make a honey syrup using local honey and lavender from our herb garden out back, and lemon juice. Bubbles and Smoke is quite popular: mezcal, lime juice, and golden agave, shaken, strained, and topped with cava brut.”
Hot Buttered Rum:brown sugar butter mix, bourbon, pumpkin gin or dark rum, hot water
The Rumple Pumpkin:bourbon and pumpkin gin with a dash of Angostura bitters
Rosemary’s Bourbon:lemongrass simple syrup, bourbon, lemon juice
Harvest Toddy: pumpkin gin, dark rum or bourbon, topped with warm cider
Pumpkin Nog: pumpkin gin, dark rum or bourbon, topped with egg
Tipsy Snowman: fernet, hot cocoa topped with whipped cream, candy cane crumbles, and marshmallows
Pumpkin gin is a big hit, we just got in a few cases today of a wonderful gin that is macerated with pumpkin.”
the egg’s nest, high falls
“Hot toddies using your choice of bourbon, rum, or blended scotch. And a handful of unique signature and classic cocktails that we plan on having during the winter months.”
Bobby Burns: Great King Street “Artist’s Blend” scotch, Carpano Antica sweet vermouth, Bénédictine D.O.M., Angostura bitters, served with a shortbread cookie
Après Ski: Génépy with Fruition hot chocolate
Winter Cooler: Fidencio Clásico mezcal, Pueblo Viejo Blanco tequila, Génépy, honey, lime, jalapeño tincture, fresh mint, bubbles Nest Flip (available Thursdays): Ramos Pinto Tawny Port, Laphroaig 10 year, Giffard crème de cacao, whole egg, shaved nutmeg
“For a tropical escape in winter, try:”
South Pacific: Old Forester Bourbon, Rhum JM, Ramazzotti, Clément Creole Shrubb, Giffard Orgeat syrup, lime, Angostura float
hash, stone ridge
Try the Turmeric Latte, pumpkin spice Prosecco, seasonal sangria, and hot mulled cider. (Available year-round.)
the edge of esopus (hot) by woodnotes grille, mt. tremper
• 1.5 oz Vivacity traditional rum
• Double shot of espresso
• 1 packet raw sugar (or to taste)
• 2 dashes Scrappy’s cardamom bitters
• 1 cup steamed milk
• Nutmeg
• Pour rum, espresso, sugar, and bitters into mug and stir. Top with steamed milk and sprinkled nutmeg.
walnut old fashioned by woodnotes grille, mt. tremper
• 2 oz Calvados VSOP
• .25 oz New York State Maple Syrup
• .25 oz Nocello walnut liqueur
• Two dashes bitters
• Splash of soda
• Lemon peel
For nights when it’s too cold to go out, test your mixologist skills and whip up these tasty cocktails at home. then go out and test the real deal to see how you measure up!
Candied walnutsCombine ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir until chilled. Strain into rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with cinnamon-dusted lemon peel and candied walnuts.
oatmeal stout float by woodnotes grille, mt. tremper
1 oz Kerrygold Irish cream liqueur Espresso ice cream (we make our own, but can be substituted with any coffee flavored ice cream) West Kill Brewing Oatmeal Stout Flourless oatmeal lace cookies.
Add one scoop of coffee ice cream to chilled pint glass. Pour Kerrygold liqueur over ice cream. Fill glass with West Kill Brewing Oatmeal Stout. Garnish with cookies.
hudson valley gold rush by main course, new paltz
• 1.5 oz Cognac VS
• 1 oz Bourbon
• .5 oz Lemon juice
• 1 oz Honey syrup (equal parts honey and water)
• 2 Sprigs rosemary
• 2 oz Sparkling hard cider (such as Downeast)
Combine bourbon, cognac, lemon, honey syrup, and one sprig rosemary in a cocktail shaker with lots of ice. Shake well and pour into an iced collins glass. Top with cider and garnish with rosemary sprig.
