From left: Prairie organic vodka ($22); Square One organic vodka ($29); Heart of the Hudson apple vodka (part of the Classic & Vintage Artisanal Spirits Portfolio; $44). Astor Wines & Spirits, 399 Lafayette St., 212-674-7500
Vanderbilt Avenue Martini
Courtesy Jonathan Pogash, Chief Mixologist, The Campbell Apartment
1 oz Square One organic cucumber vodka
¾ oz St. Germain elderflower liqueur
1 oz pineapple juice
2 sage leaves
Add all ingredients except one sage leaf to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a cocktail glass rimmed with vanilla sugar. Garnish with a floating sage leaf. The Campbell Apartment, 15 Vanderbilt Ave., 212- 953-0409
Honeycrisp Apple Cocktail
1½ oz Heart of the Hudson apple vodka
¾ oz Busnel Calvados
½ oz spiced simple syrup (recipe follows)
½ oz fresh lemon juice
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an apple chip. Gotham Bar and Grill, 12 E. 12th St., 212-620-4020
1 qt simple syrup
3 cinnamon sticks
7 whole cloves
1 whole piece star anise
1 whole piece nutmeg, crushed
Add spices to simple syrup. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Let steep for 30 minutes. Strain spices from syrup through cheesecloth. Refrigerate syrup.
The Prairie Pepperpot
2 oz Prairie Organic vodka
2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
¾ oz pink peppercorn syrup (recipe follows)
2 dashes Fee Brothers rhubarb bitters
Combine ingredients and shake with ice. Strain and serve in a martini glass. Garnish with candied grapefruit. Cookshop, 156 10th Ave., 212-924-4440
½ qt water
½ qt sugar
¼ cup cracked pink peppercorns
1 tsp cayenne pepper
Combine water and sugar and bring just to a boil. Add peppercorns and cayenne pepper. Cover and remove from heat. Allow to stand for 45 minutes; strain.
Loose Noose
Courtesy of Deborah Gavito, owner, Counter
1.5 oz Rain organic vodka
¾ oz fresh lemon juice
½ oz honey
5-6 mint leaves, muddled
Dash of cayenne pepper
In shaker, shake all ingredients well. Pour into chilled goblet; garnish with mint leaf. Counter, 105 First Ave., 212-982-5870
