For these uninitiated, the fashionable riverside Brooklyn neighborhood of DUMBO (which stands for Down Below the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) boasts one of many most-photographed streets in all of New York Metropolis.
Coated in cobblestone with two brick warehouses on both aspect and the mighty Brooklyn bridge crossing completely within the horizon, all of it quantities to an ideal place to pose.
Steps away from the Instagramble locale is one other hotspot. Dubbed Gair (which oddly takes its identify from the inventor of cardboard), the soft-lit area outfitted with snug cubicles, a contemporary, futuristic bar with accents of bronze and grey and sure, a view out the window onto the famed DUMBO streets, is already making a reputation for itself within the noisy New York cocktail scene.
The costs listed here are just like the drinks: elevated. However you get what you pay for, as every has been crafted with intense tender love and care with distinctive manufacturers and uncommon elements. It’s all of the brainchild of Beverage Director Robert Struthers whose resume consists of beloved Large Apple cocktail locations together with Contemporary Kills, Dutch Kills and Nitecap.
Struthers took CHILLED on a journey exploring 4 of Gair’s cocktail standouts. And sure, the famed photographed avenue is honored right here, too.
Previous Man and the Sea
Japanese Whisky, Soy, Nori, Umami
“Whereas I’m a fan of all my cocktails, this one brings me essentially the most pleasure. The identify got here first. How may I mix components of ‘outdated man’ (represented by whiskey – apologies for the stereotype), and ‘the ocean.’ Aftermany failed makes an attempt at creating something remotely palatable utilizing Western spirits, I had a lightbulb second of mixing Japanese taste components in a layered, nuanced drink. The template of a traditional Sazerac appeared a super launching level for this, and therefore was born the philosophy behind this drink: ‘What if a Sazerac took a visit to Japan, and re-discovered itself alongside the best way?’”
Below the Influencer
Mezcal, Ardour Fruit, Cayenne, Celery, Lager
“There’s a level of tongue-in-cheek behind this cocktail. Since Gair is situated on the second-most Instagrammed location in NYC, I concocted this drink with that demographic in thoughts. Agave spirits, particularly mezcal, are extremely in vogue, so the bottom of the cocktail was a no brainer. All the opposite parts have been an extremely enjoyable journey of layering flavors that flatter different elements, with none of them turning into overly dominant. Ardour fruit and mezcal is one in every of my favourite pairings, interval. Bringing lager into the equation resulted in a light-weight, enjoyable, entertaining cocktail; arguably one of the best qualities personified by social media celebrities!
Mercury in Retrograde
Blackstrap Rum, Sherry, Mexican Amaro, Coconut, Ardour Fruit
“It’s no secret to anybody I do know that I’m an unabashed, unapologetic fan of rum: as a singular spirit, and significantly when blended and imbibed within the type of a tropical cocktail. I’ve large respect for the grasp crafters of traditional tropical cocktails, and I wished to embody the soul of this model, whereas additionally creating one thing extra sessionable, and with a decrease proof. I used to be basically looking for one thing antithetical to the stereotype of tropical drinks being nothing greater than a fruity booze bomb. Amontillado sherry supplied a superb base, emulating the aged high quality of a lot of my favourite mixing rums, and lending unbelievable acidity to stability the richness of coconut within the beverage.”
Look Ma, No Booze
Blackberry, Lime, Ginger, Mint
“We at Gair consider anybody ought to be capable of benefit from the excellence of our area, even when they don’t select to drink alcohol. That ethos carries over into our no-proof cocktails, as a result of the dearth of spirit is not any excuse for a scarcity of creativity in making a brand new drink. Whereas I believe that makes an attempt to totally replicate a traditional cocktail with zero proof usually fall brief, it’s necessary to lean on fundamentals of stability that make the classics nice. I believe the Look Ma, No Booze is a pleasant results of that stability.”
