Cocktail
The Brandy Library
SettingtiheWhiskeyBar
It”’smarvelousthattherearesomany
fancycocktailstoday:martinisspiced
withjalapeños, mojitosmuddledwith
flavorsfromkumquattobasil, andmar-garitasmixed withguava, passionfruitor
anyotherkindofpuréeyoucanimagine.
Somehow,though,thosedrinkslose
a little luster in the winter. Instead, the
B Y JESSICA MERRILL cravingisfordrinksthataresimpleand
refined—andstrongenoughtotakethe
edgeo thecoldwithonewhi alone.
It’s as though a harder-hitting cocktail
is as essential as a down parka for battling windchill and snowdrifts.
Likewise, the swankiest hot spot of
the moment, the one where people are
three deep at the bar and the hip-hop
music is blaring, can seem like one more
thing to conquer when there’s snow on
the ground. Instead, what fits the bill is
a cozy spot to duck into for a warm-up
From Boston
to D.C., survey
these lounges
specializing
in the classic
amber spirit
on a chill night, a classic bar to enjoy
quality spirits and good company. On
winter nights, the drink of choice is often
whiskey, or something in the same vein,
amber colored and well aged (brandy
might do the trick just as well).
Luckily, finding a bar with an unbeatable selection of whiskeys—from single
malt scotches to small-batch American
ryes—and an ambience worthy of the
pour is easier than ever. Whether you
are in New York City or the nation’s capital, check out one of these sophisticated
lounges and order up.
NEW YORK CI TY
| Brandy Library
Think of Brandy Library as Harvard for
spirit geeks. The library-inspired setting alone, with bottles on the stacks
instead of books, and low lighting—not
to mention the menu, a leather binder
