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Where Can You Try Omni's New Cocktails? Everywhere

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 21 E 52nd St [map], New York, NY, United States, 10022
August 19, 2011 at 2:41 PM | by | Comments (0)

It's not everyday that award-winning mixologist Christy Pope, famous from stints at NYC bars like Milk & Honey and Little Branch, whips up a cocktail just for you. But that was the whole idea behind a cocktail tasting we went to earlier this week, at none other than Omni Berkshire Place. The entire US chain is launching a new "Home Grown Cocktails" menu, featuring locally-inspired recipes created just for Omni by a few of America's "celebrity" bartenders.

Five master mixologists have been assigned to different regions of the country (Pope is in charge of Omni's eight Northeast hotels), and they are even mixing a little history into their drinks. If you're as lucky as we were, you might even get to hear a few stories as they whip you up a stiff one.

Our favorite was the tart, herb-a-licious "Pear & Rosemary Buck" (top of page) as well as a "Belmont Jewel," infused with Woodford Reserve Bourbon—the official whiskey of the Belmont Stakes annual horse race, held every June in Belmont, NY.

"The first cocktail was just spirit, sugar, water, and bitters," explained Pope as she masterfully dripped two bottles of bitters into our glass. "And it was first documented in print in 1806. People call it the 'Old Fashioned' now, but back then, it was just a cocktail. It didn't really need a name until other cocktails started popping up and they had to distinguish it."

Well, gee. We weren't exactly expecting a history lesson when we sat down to a bar at 3:30pm on a Monday afternoon, but hey, we'll take it! Adding to the effect was an array of fresh herbs and garnishes, presented neatly in little tumblers along the edge of the bar.

All over the country, Omni's 40+ properties will be unleashing these inventive drinks on September 1. Head to San Francisco for Duggan McDonnell's "Shanghai Gimlet" (wild tea vodka, Thatcher's elderflower liqueur, lime and black pepper), or to San Antonio for Kim Hassarud's "Dr. Woodford Bell" (Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Blue Bell vanilla ice cream, Dr Pepper, and graham crackers). No matter where in this blessed country you find yourself, Omni is not about to let you go thirsty!

[Photos: HotelChatter]

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