The trend of the season seems to be clothing and cocktail pairings and right on trend are two stylish brands, Rag & Bone and Ultimat Vodka. The brands cleverly collaborated and brought five of New York City’s top mixologists together to craft custom Ultimat Vodka cocktails inspired by Rag & Bone’s Spring/Summer 2014 collections.
Mixologist Bobby Hicks describes his style as “a classic aesthetic with a ’30s to ’50s feel,” and he used this inspiration to craft The Hepcat, a fun, bright drink that will keep you coming back for more.
The Hepcat
1.5 oz. Ultimat Vodka
.75 oz. fresh lime juice
.5 oz. Carpano Antica Italian Vermouth
.5 oz. Campari
.5 oz. 1:1 sugar syrup
Garnish: lime wedge and orange Horse’s Neck
Build all ingredients into the mixing tin and add ice. Shake aggressively, but briefly, then strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with an ornate lime wedge, with an orange Horse’s Neck tied around.
Mixologist Igor Zukowiec describes his style as “modern and colorful,” and incorporated this spirit into his cocktail, Furisode.
Furisode
4 raspberries, 2 shiso leaves, muddled
1.75 oz. Ultimat Vodka
1 oz. Dassai 50 Junmai Daiginjo
Nigori Sake
.75 oz. yuzu and lemon juices (1:1)
.5 oz. simple syrup (sugar water 2:1)
Garnish: shiso leaf
Shake all ingredients with ice. Double strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a shiso leaf.
Mixologist Robert Krueger’s style is functional, but he loves great details. His cocktail, Green & Amber, is simple, yet delicious.
Green & Amber
1.5 oz. Ultimat Vodka
.25 oz. Laphroaig Scotch
.75 oz. honey syrup
.75 oz. lemon
1.5 oz. green tea (Ito En)
Garnish: lemon twist
Build together in a Collins glass over ice and briefly stir. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Mixologist Pam Wiznitzer likes to cater her style to the seasons, making her wardrobe pop with bright colors. Her cocktail, Girls Next Door, is completely in tune with the spring season and is a bold orange-pink.
Girls Next Door
1.75 oz. Ultimat Vodka
.5 oz. Creme de Poire (Merlet preferred)
.75 oz. Hibiscus-Strawberry syrup
.75 oz. lemon juice
3 dashes Bitterman’s Burlesque Bitters
1 egg white
garnish: spray of lemon bitters through stencil
Combine all ingredients into a shaker without ice. Dry shake, then add ice and shake once more. Strain into a coupe and then spray the topping bitters on the froth through the stencil design to create the illusion of texture on texture.
Mixologist Julie Renee Williams says her style is “whimsical, playful and slightly androgynous,” as is her cocktail Sakura, which plays up the more feminine side.
Sakura
1.5 oz. Ultimat Vodka
.75 oz. unfiltered Nigiri Sake
.25 oz. Sakura Honey Syrup
.5 oz. yuzu lemon juice
garnish: white flower
Shake, fine strain, and serve in a crystal couple with white flower garnish.
Twisted Talk: Will you be shaking up some of these cocktails this Spring? Which cocktail more represents your fashion style? Discuss below!
