Here’s something to raise your glass to – two juicy concoctions just named the best sidewalk-cafe beverages in the city.
In a stiff-drink competition run by the city’s Consumer Affairs Department, the alcoholic treat that took tasty top honors was the V(ini), a watermelon, lime and vodka mixture from Vento Trattoria in the Meatpacking District.
And for those off the booze, there’s the winning Guavade, a refreshing, healthy blend of lemon and guava juice from Henry’s restaurant on the Upper West Side.
“There are 22,000 sidewalk cafe seats available to New Yorkers around the five boroughs, and here are two excellent suggestions of what you might do sitting on one of those 22,000 seats,” said Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jonathan Mintz as he wet his whistle with both pink winners from the city’s first Sidewalk Cafe Drink Contest.
Victorious V(ini) creator Eben Klemm – the drink name is a combination of “V” for the Vento restaurant and the “ini” in martini – suggested that the secret to his cocktail lies in the fresh ingredients.
“A lot of places will make watermelon martinis all year round. I only make it when it’s fresh,” said Klemm, “director of cocktail development” at B.R. Guest Inc., which runs Vento.
Randy King, Henry’s mixologist, said he came up with the Guavade by accident.
“I saw an open can of guava, and I said, ‘I might as well finish that.’ But the lemonade was in the glass, and it turned out to be a great mistake,” King crowed.
“We sell a lot of it in the restaurant,” he added. “It’s become our signature drink.”
Those judging the best beverages gave points for appearance, taste, presentation and technique.
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The ‘V(INI)’
1 ½ oz. citrus vodka
½ oz. lime juice
½ oz. limoncello
1 oz. watermelon juice
Shake all ingredients, strain and serve up.