Sure, it’s easy to default to rosé whenever you feel like a drink—but you’d be missing out on some seriously delightful East End cocktails. Whether you prefer yours shaken, stirred, frozen or even booze-free, Hamptons bartenders have a drink for you. (Imbibing on an outdoor patio is strongly encouraged.)
The 8 Best Cocktails in the Hamptons
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Published Aug 8, 2019
Almond
1. The Rosalita At Almond
If you still associate tequila with shots over spring break, it’s time to get yourself to Bridgehampton’s casual French bistro Almond. The restaurant has dedicated its entire summer cocktail menu to the agave spirit. The menu has everything from a classic margarita to a tequila-based old-fashioned, but our favorite is the Rosalita (jump a little higher)—a nod to the Springsteen song—a mix of tequila, mezcal, Antica vermouth, Campari and bitters.
1 Ocean Rd., Bridgehampton; 631-537-5665 or almondrestaurant.com
Facebook.com/fresnorestaurant
2. The Negroni At Fresno
With all due respect to the Aperol spritz, the negroni will always be our drink of summer. At Fresno in East Hampton, it’s made with Farmer’s gin, Suze and Lillet for a citrusy, just-bitter-enough sip that pairs particularly well with a seat outside in the shade.
8 Fresno Pl., East Hampton; 631-324-8700 or fresnorestaurant.com
Nick & Toni’s
3. The Lazy Bee At Nick & Toni’s
Made with gin, freshly squeezed lemon, local honey and chamomile-flower syrup, the Lazy Bee is basically summer in a glass. Sipping it while relaxing on Nick & Toni’s charming patio is one of the season’s greatest pleasures.
136 N. Main St., East Hampton; 631-324-3550 or nickandtonis.com
Facebook.com/TheBellandAnchor
4. The Lavender Lemon Fizz At The Bell & Anchor
Our ideal August afternoon includes oysters on the half shell paired with an ice-cold cocktail. Especially when that cocktail is the uber-refreshing Lavender Lemon Fizz at the Bell & Anchor. Did we mention it’s nonalcoholic? Go ahead and order a third.
3253 Noyac Rd., Sag Harbor; 631-725-3400 or bellandanchor.com
Facebook.com/LIARS-SALOON
5. Mary’s Mudslide At Liar’s Saloon
Cool down on even the hottest of days with the signature drink of Montauk’s finest old-school dive bar. The frosty concoction combines Baileys Irish Cream, Kahlúa and vodka, blended with ice and topped with chocolate syrup.
408 W. Lake Dr., Montauk; 631-668-9597
Facebook.com/cochecomedor
6. A Frozen Margarita At Coche Comedor
Margs and chips and guac: Name a more iconic combo. Amagansett’s Coche Comedor has you covered with tableside guacamole and the best frozen margaritas in the Hamptons. You can’t go wrong with the classic base of Jose Cuervo, Cointreau and lime, but we’re partial to the addition of bright-pink prickly pear.
74A Montauk Hwy., Amagansett; 631-267-5709 or cochecomedor.com
Gurney’s Star Island Resort
7. The South Fork Spritz At Showfish
The Aperol spritz’s popularity shows no sign of slowing down, and while you’ll find a version on almost every Hamptons cocktail list, Showfish at Gurney’s Star Island Resort combines it with one of our other favorite drinks: rosé wine.
32 Star Island Rd.; Montauk; 631-668-3133 or showfishmtk.com
Facebook.com/Bhinn
8. The Garden Of Earthly Delights At Bridgehampton Inn
Gin lovers seeking something a bit more adventurous than the usual tonic will fall in love with this herbal aperitif, made with Monkey 47 gin, Krogstad aquavit, Elixir Combier, Suze, grapefruit, carrot, lemon and a splash of Five Boroughs Tiny Juicy IPA. It sounds like a mouthful, but it melds together into a fruity, well-balanced combo we could drink all day.
2266 Montauk Hwy., Bridgehampton: 631-537-3660 or bridgehamptoninn.com