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NYC Throwbacks: Must-Try Takes On Classic, Retro Cocktails

clover-club
(credit: Facebook/Clover Club)

Whether you're looking for a classic cocktail with a twist or something reminiscent of another era, here are five bars serving up some tasty drinks. By Carly Petrone/John Friia

Moscow Mule: Oleg March
(Credit: Oleg March)

Squares

360 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10010
212-481-0187

More: Must-Try Takes On Classic Cocktails

New Yorkers can put the pieces together at Squares with their Lego Club Mule. As a twist on the classic libation, the drink is served in a Lego mug instead of the traditional Copper mug. Like the traditional drink, the Lego Club Mule is made with vodka and house ginger beer, but there is also little spice to it, with hints of chili. Garnished with mint, cucumber and crystallized ginger, this drink is a favorite among patrons.

Monarch Rooftop

Monarch
(credit: Instagram/monarchnyc)

71 W. 35th St., 18th Fl.
10001
212-630-9993

More: Most Unique Cocktails In NYC

Head up to Monarch Rooftop and sip on classic cocktails from the '80s and '90s. Toast to Jimmy Buffett with the "Wasting Away in Margaritaville;" Patron Silver Tequila, prickly pear puree, lime juice, simple syrup, pineapple juice, and Angostura bitters, or display your love for retro pop with the "Phil Collins -- " a riff on a Tom Collins mixed with Bombay Sapphire gin, muddled lemon, fortify bitter, lemon juice simple syrup, a dash of Peychaud's bitters and topped with soda water.

You can always satisfy your inner literary diva with the "Joan Collins" – gin, elderflower, lemon, a dash of orange bitters and topped with soda water. Snack on a light fare menu that includes handcut organic pomme frites, blistered shishito peppers, citrus soy shrimp potstickers, roasted artichoke hummus, and smoked bacon-wrapped Medjool dates. Step outside and take in the views of the Empire State Building and Midtown Manhattan – you won't be disappointed.

Holiday Cocktail Lounge

holiday-cocktail-lounge
(credit: Facebook/Holiday Cocktail Lounge)

75 St. Mark's Pl.
10003
212-777-9637

More: Best Cocktails For Fall In New York City

The folks over at Holiday Cocktail Lounge know how to create a classic cocktail. Each bartender has their own favorite on the menu, so customers can test them out too. Michael's favorite is the Old Fashioned, made with Elijah Craig 12 bourbon or WhistlePig rye, Angostura bitters, and an orange twist. Barbara prefers the Sazerac – Whistlepig rye whiskey, Peychauds bitters, and an Absinth rinse. It's hard to go wrong with Danny's favorite Old Tom Collins, which is simply made with Spring 44 Old Tom Gin, fresh lemon juice, and fizz.

Goldbar

new-state-sour_1
(credit: Shedrick Pelt)

389 Broome St.
10013
212-274-1568

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Whiskey drinkers should definitely try Goldbar's playful version of the Whiskey Sour. The New York State Sour is made with rye whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, mulled wine syrup, and garnished with an orange wedge. You can also go all-out by ordering one of their Gold Standard cocktails – these are classics made with premium products. It'll cost you a pretty penny ($75/drink) but you're living the high life, right? Choose from the Golden Cadillac (Patron Platinum, Grand Marnier XO, lime juice, and agave syrup), the Rum Old Fashioned (Ron Zacapa XO, Demerara syrup, Angostura bitters, and orange bitters), or the Sidecar (Remy XO, Royal Combier, and lemon juice).

The Late Late

gin-fizz
(credit: Jeremy Sailing)

159 E. Houston St.
646-861-3342

The Late Late is classing up the traditional Gin Fizz with rose/lavender demerara, Beefeater gin, and egg white. The ingredients are combined in a dry shaker before adding ice and then strained over rose/lavender soda into a Collins glass – it's almost too pretty to drink! Coffee drinkers can sip on a Latte Latte Irish Iced Coffee cocktail. This little ditty is made with Teelings Small Batch Irish Whiskey, cold press coffee, cream, demerara, and fresh whipped cream. Because it's never too early to start drinking, right?

Harding's

Hardings
(credit: Hardings)

32 E. 21st St.
100010
212-600-2105

Head bartender of Harding's, Derrick Turner, is putting his spin on a Manhattan with the Black Forest. This sweet cocktail is made with Michter's rye, sweet vermouth, grenadine, Pinot Grigio, Angostura bitters, and Peychaud's bitters. It's the perfect drink to bring you into the fall season. If you're still looking for something sweet, check out their dessert menu. It doesn't disappoint -- with decadent options like a griddle cake with moonshine ice cream and maple syrup, chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream, and a pecan tart with caramel ice cream.

Clover Club

clover-club
(credit: Facebook/Clover Club)

210 Smith St.
11201
718-855-7939

More: NYC's Best Boozy Brunch Cocktails

If you're looking for a twist on the classic cocktail then make your way over to Clover Club in Brooklyn. Get transformed into vacation mode with the Coconut Julep – toasted coconut-infused mellow corn whiskey, coconut liqueur, macadamia nut syrup, and Jamaican rum – or keep it classy with Tom's Perfect Martini (a gin-based version made with maraschino liqueur and a dash of orange bitters). They also offer a variety of sours, cobblers, punches, Collins, fizzes, and royales (drinks made with champagne.) The Sbagliato Rosa is a fun twist on your typical glass of rose – it's made with Cappelletti Apertivo, Cocchi rosa, and cava rose. And this is just their evening drink menu! Head to their website to check out their brunch cocktail menu, too.

Penrose Bar

penrose
(credit: Instagram/penrosebar)

1590 Second Ave.
212-203-2751

More: Best Sparkling Cocktails In NYC

Head uptown to Penrose Bar for a classic Moscow Mule (or Buck, depending on what you like to call it.) These spiked drinks are house-made with four simple ingredients: fresh pressed ginger, lime, soda, and your choice of gin, rum, rye, or vodka. Their also serving up other classics like Haber's G&T as well as Bourbon Milk Punch for two, mixed with bourbon, Montenegro Amaro, pear brandy, cardamom, pineapple, lemon, and Darjeeling tea. Grab a friend and start drinking!

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Carly Petrone is the founder of Petrone on the Rocks, a lifestyle site about food, drinks, beauty, travel, and more. She lives in New York City.

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