5 cutting-edge cocktail recipes from the best bars of 2024

Happily for gourmet drinkers, the 50 Best Bars in North America list is back for the 2024 season. If you’re not familiar with the variety of drinks on display, be prepared for a complex mix of meaty spirits, salt bubbles, and irreproducible garnishes.

This year saw a major shake-up for the chosen ones, with 2023’s No. 1 pick, Double Chicken Please, slipping back to seventh place (don’t worry, the New York hotspot still offers special offers a variety of cold pizza margaritas and beet salad cocktails).

Below, we’ve compiled signature recipes for each of this year’s top five bars.

5. Rayo, Mexico City – 1st place

(Photo: rayocdmx/Instagram)

By the way, the bar’s flagship cocktail that ranked 5th this year is “No. 1.”

Like many similarly numbered cocktails on Rayo’s menu, this one blends traditional Mexican spirits and ingredients with a complex gastro-mixology flare. For example, No. 8 incorporates sous vide techniques into a summery mix of raisilla, blanco tequila, lime, and guava, while No. 9 redistills an unconventional blend of bacanora, Jack Daniel’s, and Perrier.

No. 1 deals with the tricky dual task of fat washing and lactic acid fermentation.In honor of a beloved Jalisco carne en su jugo Soup recipes, fat-washed with mezcal and aged rum in bacon and various meats by bartenders (fat-washed is not that difficult to recreate at home; see our guide here). Level the plate with the garnished vegetables and add the juices from the lacto-fermented tomatoes, tomatillos, garlic, and onions, along with the garnished chunks of crispy fried chicharrón.

The formula is incredibly complex. Furthermore, Rayo does not publish any instructions on how to properly fit its many parts together. If you’re feeling adventurous, give it a try.

material

• Fat washing mescal 30ml
• Aged rum 30ml
• 6 drops of vegetable lacto-fermented product
  • tomato
  • tomatillo
  • garlic
  • onion
• Amaro 2.5ml
• 10 ml beer and coriander weight loss
• coriander perfume 1 splash
• Beef tendon chicharon for garnish

#4: Martiny’s, New York City – Tea Ceremony

(Photo: Martinys_nyc/Instagram)

At first glance, Martiny’s, housed in a converted 1800s townhouse and packed with wide leather couches and plush bar stools, looks more like a Mafia hangout than a craft cocktail bar.

Described as a “temple of luxury” by 50 Best, this three-story lounge was opened in 2022 by Takuma Watanabe. The bar was originally conceived as a fusion of Japanese and American influences, but the menu’s ingredients are diverse. International origin. The Indian Mule is a blend of curry-washed tequila, domestic apples and bay leaves. Mole Granada, on the other hand, is a balance of mezcal, raspberry, and chocolatey mole poblano.

We decided to focus on Tea Ceremony, a casual combination of whisky, cacao liqueur, and matcha. Unlike most of the cocktails on this list, this recipe is relatively approachable for home mixologists (no messy flavor injections in sight).

material

• 1 1/2 oz Japanese Whiskey
• 1/2 oz white cacao liqueur
• 1 ounce hot coconut water
• 1 tablespoon powdered matcha

direction

1. Combine the whiskey and white cacao liqueur in a shaker with ice. Shake for 15-20 seconds until cool.
2. Strain into a glass filled with ice.
3. Pour coconut water into a pot, bring to a boil, and remove from heat.
4. In a separate bowl, combine matcha powder and hot coconut water.
5. Add the mixture to the glass and stir.

#3: Overstory, New York City – Terroir Old Fashioned

(Photo: Overstory)

Located on the 64th floor of a skyscraper overlooking Wall Street, Overstory takes a literal approach to its noble name and cocktail concept.

Enjoy a variety of Champagnes, local IPAs, or non-alcoholic alternatives while taking in the shimmering New York City skyline. Our suggestion is Terroir Old Fashioned. A reimagining of the agave-based Oaxacan Old Fashioned, this recipe combines aged tequila, yellow chartreuse, and vin jaune wine for a sweet, vegetal flavor. Instead of simple syrup and bitters, he stirs the caramel mix into agave, which is perfect for pouring into other cocktails once it’s in the batch.

If you happen to be in town and want to try the cocktail for yourself, Overstory is hosting a public pop-up in collaboration with Camparino Apertivio on May 6th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Masu.

material

• reposado tequila 2 oz.
• 3/4 oz Vin Jaune
• agave caramel 1/4 oz.
  • 2 cups agave nectar
  • 8 grams sea salt
  • 1 cup water at room temperature
• 1 bar spoon yellow chartreuse
• Lemon twist and honeycomb, for decoration

direction

1. In a wide saucepan, combine 2 cups of agave nectar and 8 grams of salt. Using a thermometer, heat the mixture, without stirring, to 350 degrees for 7 minutes. Remove from heat and add 1 cup of room temperature water. Mix well until a uniform consistency is obtained.
2. Add tequila, vin jaune, agave caramel, and yellow chartreuse to a mixing glass over ice.
3. Stir for 15-20 seconds.
4. Strain into a glass filled with large ice cubes.
5. Express the lemon twist by layering it on top of the twist and discard it. Decorate with honeycomb.

#2: New York City Super Bueno – Green Mango Martini

(Photo: Super Buenonik/Instagram)

Unlike many of the big names on this year’s list, Superbueno first opened in early 2023. The cozy retreat in East His Village quickly became popular for its moody lighting and inventive Mexican cuisine (the Doritos topped with ceviche are always a hit). Of course, cocktails too.

Those who visit Super Bueno quickly realize that it’s all about the signature green mango martini. Instead of gin or vermouth, bartenders use tequila infused with unripe mango and Sauternes, a sweet French wine packed with baking spice flavors and gentle acidity. Finish the scent with a splash of mango brandy, honey and chili oil.

Superbueno founder Ignacio “Nacho” Jimenez says the cocktail is an ode to the fresh fruit shops of his childhood in Guanajuato, Mexico. Think chili oil as a sprinkle on a tagine, or Sauternes as a sprinkle of orange and lime. It also works great as an after-meal snack.

material

• 2 1/2 oz green mango tequila
  • blanco tequila 1 liter
  • 350g peeled green mango, chopped
• 3/4 oz Sauternes
• 1/2 oz mango eau de vie
• 1/4 oz honey syrup
• 2 dashes of saline
• Chili oil (for garnish)

direction

1. Combine chopped green mango and tequila in a large tub, cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours. Filter and bottle.
2. Mix all ingredients in a mixing glass. Shake for 15-20 seconds until cool.
3. Strain twice, pour into a glass, and add a drop of chili oil.

#1: Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City – ???

(Photo: handshake_bar/Instagram)

Whether hidden behind a freezer door or in the back of a barbershop, the speakeasy concept has taken craft cocktail bars by storm over the past few years. Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy lives up to its name with aplomb, sitting behind a thick black door with an ominous “13” written on it.

The entire article is dedicated to exploring the creation of individual cocktails at the bar. The hours-long process behind Mextai, detailed by Punch Drink, involves beakers and pipettes used to cook clarified tomato cordial and makrut lime distillate for tequila-centered recipes.

Eye-catching garnishes are also on full display. The Banana Split pictured above is a chocolate Lego brick filled with banana cream. Other cocktails, such as the Rose Negroni, are topped with slices of coin-shaped tutti frutti candies.

Handshake’s Instagram is chock-full of behind-the-scenes footage of their lab-like mixology process, but unfortunately exact recipes and measurements are hard to come by.

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