6 NYC Cocktails with Crazy Ingredients You Need to Try

In New York City, you can get almost anything imaginable, so why should your cocktails be anything less than creative? Don’t get us wrong, we love a well-done classic cocktail just as much as the next person but every once in a while it’s time to shake things up. (pun intended) Here are some drinks that will do just that! From the healthy crazies, like kale, all the way to the wild ones, like black mustard seed infused bitters, be sure to try one of these crazy ingredient drinks the next time you go out for after-work drinks!
1. The Wayland; 700 E 9th Street

Check out @ailsavond’s delicious looking Garden Variety Margarita

Now we all love a good margarita, but it is kind of basic right? Not at Alphabet City’s The Wayland! Here they have a Garden Variety Margarita that not only tastes good, but also can make you feel as if you’re on a health kick! This drink is made with blue agave blanco tequila, ginger, lime juice, agave nectar, smoked sea salt, and kale juice. Who would’ve thought? Guess kale isn’t just for a morning smoothie anymore.

2. The Garret East; 433 East 6th Street

@boozemenus showing off one of the coolest drinks on the menu

Sweet potato, a Thanksgiving classic! Something that has always been classified as a dish served with melted marshmallows on top is now an ingredient in the Garret East’s Green Monstah cocktail. This drink is comprised of avua cachaca plata, avua cachaca amburana, matcha, sweet potato liqueur, lemon, and gomme syrup. And, only elevating the whimsicality of this drink, it’s served in a teacup, could it get more fun?

3. Death & Company; 433 East 6th Street

@modernunion perfectly captured the ambiance of Death & Co.

At this prohibition-esque bar in the East Village, there is nothing holding them back from creating some of the most renowned cocktails in New York. A great example is their Art of Living drink which is made with tanqueray, siembra valles tequila, yellow chartreuse, suze orange bitters, absinthe, and snap peas. Who would’ve ever thought such a fun snack could be incorporated into such a fun drink? Be sure to check this place out for a renowned cocktail list. And don’t worry, even though the drinks are made to kill, you’ll still walk out alive.

4. Mace; 649 East 9th Street

@oyapapoya has us wishing it’s 5 o’clock where we are!

This bar is all about spices, from saffron to clove themed cocktails, there are options for anyone who’s intimately acquainted with a spice rack. Our pick for a crazy ingredient here comes in the Mustard Seed cocktail. The combination of ingredients are eclectic to say the least, black mustard seed-infused suze, banana liqueur, lemon juice and egg white. Who would’ve ever thought that black mustard seed and banana would be paired together? Apparently the Mace bartenders did, and aren’t we glad!

5. Amor Y Amargo; 443 East 6th Street

What a cool vibe captured by @jzimmerman_tx

Ok so we know bitters aren’t necessarily everyone’s go-to liquor of choice buuut, Amor Y Amargo will have you questioning why that is after one drink. Our crazy cocktail pick is definitely the Sakura; this drink is made with zirbenz, cocchi rosso, blanco tequila, gin, maraschino, and cherries and pine. The combination sounds more native to a candle but makes an awesome cocktail that you have to try.

6. Employees Only; 510 Hudson Street

A catchy sign can draw people in anywhere, shoutout to @angiecat86 for capturing a good one.

One of New York’s oldest and coolest cocktail bars is serving us a classic ingredient with a crazy take. Egg whites can be found across all cocktail menus and in several drinks within NYC, but not everyday do we see them added in raw. The Pisco Sour is made with BarSol Pisco shaken with fresh lime juice and a raw egg white. This drink almost has us feeling like we’re training for a marathon, but who knows if we can run 26.2 miles after this drink, we’d say it’s a win-win.