Our Favorite New York Spirits
Social Hour Yuzu Sunset Fizz Cocktail $19.96
Cocktail industry veterans Julie Reiner and Tom Macy are the creative force behind this relatively newish addition to the RTD scene. Their whole lineup showcases their talent for inventiveness, but the Yuzu Sunset Fizz is one of my favorites. Made with a base of Brooklyn-distilled vodka, they then add yuzu, peach, key lime, and jasmine. It’s bright and spritzy, full of ripe peach and citrus. It’s the perfect summer quencher for hanging out on the beach, balcony or boat and watching the sun set. – Amy Miller, Sales Manager
Le Moné Meyer Lemon Aperitif $24.96
If you’re one of our local NYC based Astor shoppers, you might know that we host in-store tastings featuring wines and spirits almost every day. It’s a great opportunity for an introduction to something new. A recent tasting in the shop caught me off-guard with an absolutely delicious and fun product coming from a family owned winery over-looking Keuka Lake, in upstate NY. Le Mone’ is a meyer lemon infused aperitif spirit, made from a base of lightly fortified finger lakes wine and sweetened with agave, to produce a light and delicious low alcohol explosion of fresh lemon flavor that can stand on it’s own, shine as a spritz, or add a fresh burst to your favorite cocktail. At just 16% ABV and much lighter and less sweet than limoncello, it’s like sunshine in a glass. The meyer lemon essence is pure, clean, and undeniably refreshing! – Michael Cook, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Kite Crash Amaro by Matchbook Distilling $29.96
Matchbook Distilling is known for their unique one off liqueurs and spirits that light up the palate with every sip. Gentian root, rhubarb root, roasted chicory root, and demiana leaf crate a bracing bitterness perfectly balanced at the base, with a wonderful smokey and lightly spicy finish that will keep you coming back for more. Following the rabarbaro style of old, along the lines of zucca but with a bolder more tantilizing profile. This is a perfect example of a sipping amaro, meant for digestion, but can play beautifully into cocktails looking to add a touch more bitterness to a more sweet or liquor forward base. I think a Black Manhattan with a wheated bourbon base would love this as a companion, but there are many more ways to work this product into your back bar as well! – Benjamin Wright-Hoyt, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Faccia Brutto Aperitivo Liqueur $34.96
If you haven’t heard of the Brooklyn based Amari producers Faccia Brutto, now is a great time to find out what they hype is all about! With the lightness of Aperol and a wonderfully gripping bitterness from the utilization of such botanicals as gentian, rhubarb root, and quassia this aperitivo will leave you searching for even more ways to make it pop. Bold and bracing yet so refreshing, fun on its own but an easy inclusion in many recipes. With spritz season approaching don’t be afraid to substitute this in your recipe, or even better replacing Campari in a classic negroni. There are so many options available and endless time to experiment but regardless you can’t go wrong with Faccia in hand. – Benjamin Wright-Hoyt, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Jaywalk Straight Rye Whiskey $44.99
It’s great to know of home grown success stories like the NY Distlling Company. Founded in 2011, they’ve recently moved their distillery to a facility 3 times as large. This coincides with the long awaited bottling of Jaywalk, their new special rye. If you thought their Ragtime Rye (now retired) was good, you haven’t seen nothin’ yet. An heirloom variety called Horton’s Rye is the star in this blend. NY Distilling has been farming Horton’s Rye in the Finger Lakes for years. The spirit has matured in barrel for 6-8 years and is finally ready for you. The whiskey is robust and smooth. If you like your whiskey drinks rich and opulent, you’ll be glad to have found this bottle. Just make sure you cross on street corners on your way home. – Chung Park, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Forthave Spirits Marseille Amaro $48.99
One of the best things you can do after a great meal is to chase your dinner with a digestif. Amoros are a beautiful spirit because it is so densely packed with flavor and there’s a calming sensation that overwhelms you as it goes down. Forthave Spirits’s Marseille Amoro is an incredible amoro that is great in a multitude of different situations. Like I mentioned before, the Marseille amoro as a digestif is a great way to enjoy this, but a shot of this in your can of ice cold Coke will aromatize it in ways you never would’ve thought possible. Coke and amoro is an underrated combination! The Forthave Spirits Marseille Amoro is a brilliant spirit, one I’m very proud to carry on my personal bar cart. – Jacob Mauceri, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant