The bartenders at Madiba are mixing a concoction they’re calling The Mandela, using vodka, St. Germain, Ceres apricot juice, ginger beer, rose liquer and chocolate shavings. Photo: Dekalb Classic
The spring weather outside the window has us ready to change the liquor in our glasses–away with the bourbons and beers and onward with lighter, brighter spring drinks. You could scour the entire city for the best rhubarb-and-mint-infused drinks, or you could just head over to Dekalb Avenue in Fort Greene, where you’ll find a whole slew of new spring cocktails within a two-block stretch, all for a killer price.
The Dekalb Classic is a collaboration between five local restaurants–Chez Oskar, Madiba, Dino, Cornerstone and Roman’s–running now through April 30.
The challenge: each establishment was tasked with inventing a spring cocktail using booze from sponsors Greenhook Ginsmiths (a Brooklyn Booze Award winner) and/or St. Germain. The organizers also came up with a special “Dekalb Classic” cocktail–vodka, St. Germain and Spring Essence bitters–which each spot will serve, in addition to its own signature cocktail.
La Dolce Vita, Dino’s spring drink for the Dekalb Classic consists of Greenhook Gin, Campari, blood orange juice, mint and prosecco. Photo: Dekalb Classic
The deal: Pony up $50, and you get a pass for 10 cocktails (each signature cocktail, plus a Dekalb Classic at each location). No, you don’t have to drink all 10 in one evening (please try not to, actually). You can start today, and then just be sure to hit up all five locations by the end of the month. Buy tickets online or at any of the five restaurants. Once you’ve tried them all, you get to vote for your favorite–which also enters you in a drawing to win an $80 dinner for two at any of the competing restaurants.
Not having tried them all so far, based on looks alone, I’d say the frontrunner IMHO is “The Mandela” cocktail at Madiba–vodka, St. Germain, Ceres apricot juice, ginger beer, rose liquer and chocolate shavings. What!
The Classic organizers are also planning a fall version in October, and they’re hoping to expand it to include even more restaurants and bars along Dekalb Avenue.
Happy spring drinking!
