One Perfect Cocktail

On past visits to Pegu Club, I’ve always enjoyed the beautiful craft and top quality of their specialty concoctions. The Pegu Club Cocktail, Gin-Gin Mule and Jamaican Firefly are all among my most memorable cocktail experiences. Early last Saturday evening, I stopped in for a quickie and decided upon a Whiskey Smash – Rye, muddled lemon and mint with simple syrup, served on the rocks and garnished with a sprig of fresh mint. This took things to a new level. For me, it just might have been the perfect cocktail. Bright, fresh citrus and herbaceous flavors hit right up front, waking up the palate with fresh, lively accents. The follow-up brings home the Rye, with deeper, richer flavors of butterscotch, vanilla, earth and grain, which all develop and change on the palate as the seconds tick by. The simple syrup seems to round out the complete package, helping to smooth the edges between the lighter, brighter front-end and the richer finish. The syrup delivers its sweetness only in the drink’s savored last drops.

Audrey Saunders opened Pegu Club in late August 2005 as a temple to the high artistry of mixology. Its concept and design both hearken back to cocktail culture’s peak era in the far eastern reaches of the British Empire. The vibe is serene; if you’re looking to rollick, this isn’t your place. If you’d like to experience a great drink, made with quality, fresh ingredients and crafted with ritual care, don’t miss it. The 5:00 PM opening hour makes Pegu an ideal spot to grab a drink before an early dinner downtown. Be wary though…. The allure of the mix makes it hard to leave.

Pegu Club
77 W. Houston Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10012
212-473-PEGU