To the delight of gourmet drinkers, North America's 50 Best Bars list is once again upon us for the 2024 season. If you're unfamiliar with the kinds of drinks on display, prepare yourself for a perplexing mix of meat-infused spirits, salt foams and impossible-to-replicate garnishes.
This year, selectees were given a good shakeup, with 2023's number one pick — Double Chicken Please — sliding down to seventh place (fret not, the NYC hotspot still serves up its signature variety of Cold Pizza Margaritas and Beet Salad cocktails).
Below, we've compiled a defining recipe from each of this year's top five bars.
5. Rayo, Mexico City - No. 1
(Photo: rayocdmx/Instagram)
Incidentally, the flagship cocktail at this year's fifth-ranking bar is called the "No. 1."
Like many of its similarly numbered counterparts on the Rayo menu, the cocktail blends traditional Mexican spirits and ingredients with a flare for intricate gastro mixology. The No. 8, for instance, incorporates sous vide into its summery mix of raicilla, blanco tequila, lime and guava, while the No. 9 redistills an unconventional blend of bacanora, Jack Daniel's and Perrier.
The No. 1 deals in a tricky double act of fat washing and lactofermentation. Paying homage to Jalisco's beloved carne en su jugo soup recipe, bartenders fat-wash mezcal and aged rum in bacon and a variety of meats (fat washing isn't too difficult to replicate at home; find our guide here). Evening out the plate with a side of vegetables, juices from lacto-fermented tomatoes, tomatillos, garlic and onions are added alongside a crispy chunk of fried chicharron for garnish.
The concoction is unbelievably complex. What's more, Rayo has never released any directions on how to properly mix its many parts. If you're in an adventurous mood, feel free to give it a shot:
Ingredients
30 ml Fat-Washed Mezcal
30 ml Aged Rum
6 drops Vegetable Lacto Ferment
Tomato
Tomatillo
Garlic
Onions
2.5 ml Amaro
10 ml Beer and Cilantro reduction
1 splash of Cilantro perfume
Beef tendon chicharron, for garnish
#4: Martiny's, New York City - Tea Ceremony
[caption id="attachment_65813" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: Martinys_nyc/Instagram)[/caption]
Located inside a converted 1800s townhouse stuffed to the brim with wide leather sofas and plush barstools, Martiny's looks more like a mafia hangout spot than a craft cocktail bar at first glance.
The three-story lounge — described as a "temple to luxury" by 50 Best — was opened by Takuma Watanabe in 2022. Though the bar was initially conceived as a fusion of Japanese and American influences, ingredients on the menu span a wide variety of international origins. The Indian Mule blends curry-washed tequila with Japanese apple and bay leaves. The Mole Granada, meanwhile, balances mezcal, raspberry and chocolatey mole poblano.
We've chosen to highlight the Tea Ceremony, an easy-going combination of whisky, cacao liqueur and matcha. Straying from most of the cocktails on this list, the recipe is relatively friendly to home mixologists (no laborsome flavor infusions in sight).
Ingredients
1 1/2 oz Japanese Whisky
1/2 oz White Cacao Liqueur
1 oz Hot Coconut Water
1 tbsp Powdered Matcha
Directions
Combine whisky and white cacao liqueur in shaker with ice. Shake until chilled, 15-20 seconds.
Strain into glass filled with ice.
Bring coconut water to a boil in a saucepan, then take off heat.
In a separate bowl, whisk together matcha powder and hot coconut water.
Add mixture to glass and stir.
#3: Overstory, New York City - Terroir Old Fashioned
[caption id="attachment_65826" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: Overstory)[/caption]
Overstory, perched on the 64th floor of a skyscraper overlooking Wall Street, takes a literal approach to its elevated name and cocktail concepts.
Guests taking in sights of the twinkling New York City skyline might partake in its varied selection of Champagnes, local IPAs or zero-alcohol alternatives. Our suggestion would be the Terroir Old Fashioned. Retinkering the agave-based Oaxaca Old Fashioned, the recipe combines aged tequila, yellow chartreuse and Vin Jaune wine for a wallop of sweet and vegetal flavor. In lieu of simple syrup and bitters, you'll be stirring up an agave caramel mix perfect for pouring into other cocktails once it has been batched.
If you happen to be in the city and want to try out its cocktails for yourself, Overstory will be hosting a public pop-up in collaboration with Camparino in Galleria from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. on May 6.
Ingredients
2 oz Reposado Tequila
3/4 oz Vin Jaune
1/4 oz Agave Caramel
2 cups Agave Nectar
8 grams Sea Salt
1 cup Room Temp. Water
1 bar spoon Yellow Chartreuse
Lemon twist and honeycomb, for garnish
Directions
Combine 2 cups agave nectar and 8 grams salt in a wide saucepan. Using a thermometer, heat the mixture to 350 degrees without stirring for 7 minutes. Remove from heat and pour 1 cup of room temperature water into the mixture. Mix well until even in consistency.
Add tequila, vin jaune, agave caramel and yellow chartreuse into mixing glass with ice.
Stir for 15-20 seconds.
Strain into glass with a large ice cube.
Express lemon twist over twist then discard. Garnish with honeycomb.
#2: Superbueno, New York City - Green Mango Martini
[caption id="attachment_65780" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: superbuenonyc/Instagram)[/caption]
Unlike many of the established names on this year's list, Superbueno first opened its doors in early 2023. The cozy East Village hideaway proved an instant hit with its moody lighting, inventive Mexican bites (Doritos topped with ceviche are a consistent favorite) and, of course, its cocktails.
Visitors to Superbueno quickly learn that it's all about the signature Green Mango Martini. In place of gin and vermouth, bartenders use unripened mango-infused tequila and Sauternes, a sweet French wine packed with flavors of baking spice and gentle acidity. Influences are rounded out with a splash of mango brandy, honey and chile oil.
Superbueno founder Ignacio "Nacho" Jimenez says that the cocktail is an ode to the fresh fruit stands of his childhood in Guanajuato, Mexico. Imagine the chile oil as a sprinkling of Tajin, or the Sauternes as a squirt of orange and lime. Works great as an after-dinner treat.
Ingredients
2 1/2 oz Green Mango-infused tequila
1 liter Blanco Tequila
350 grams peeled green mango, chopped
3/4 oz Sauternes
1/2 oz Mango Eau de Vie
1/4 oz Honey Syrup
2 dashes of Saline solution
Chile oil, for garnish
Directions
Mix chopped green mango and tequila in a large tub, cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours. Strain and bottle.
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass. Shake until chilled, 15-20 seconds.
Double strain into glass and garnish with a drop of chile oil.
#1: Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City - ???
[caption id="attachment_65867" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: handshake_bar/Instagram)[/caption]
Whether hidden behind a freezer door or at the back of a barbershop, the speakeasy concept has taken craft cocktail bars by storm over the past few years. Mexico City's Handshake Speakeasy, located behind a thick black door bearing an ominous "13," embraces its name in stride.
Entire articles have been dedicated to exploring the creation of individual cocktails at the bar. The hours-long process behind the Mex-Thai, detailed by Punch Drink, involves beakers and pipettes used to cook up a clarified tomato cordial and makrut lime distillate for a tequila-centric recipe.
Showstopping garnishes are also on full display. The Banana Split, pictured above, features a chocolate Lego brick filled with banana cream. Other cocktails like the Rose Negroni include a coin-shaped slice of Tutti Frutti candy on top.
Handshake's Instagram is chock full of behind-the-scenes looks at its laboratory-like mixology process, though sadly, exact recipes and measurements are hard to come by.
(Photo: Martinys_nyc/Instagram)[/caption]
Located inside a converted 1800s townhouse stuffed to the brim with wide leather sofas and plush barstools, Martiny's looks more like a mafia hangout spot than a craft cocktail bar at first glance.
The three-story lounge — described as a "temple to luxury" by 50 Best — was opened by Takuma Watanabe in 2022. Though the bar was initially conceived as a fusion of Japanese and American influences, ingredients on the menu span a wide variety of international origins. The Indian Mule blends curry-washed tequila with Japanese apple and bay leaves. The Mole Granada, meanwhile, balances mezcal, raspberry and chocolatey mole poblano.
We've chosen to highlight the Tea Ceremony, an easy-going combination of whisky, cacao liqueur and matcha. Straying from most of the cocktails on this list, the recipe is relatively friendly to home mixologists (no laborsome flavor infusions in sight).
(Photo: Overstory)[/caption]
Overstory, perched on the 64th floor of a skyscraper overlooking Wall Street, takes a literal approach to its elevated name and cocktail concepts.
Guests taking in sights of the twinkling New York City skyline might partake in its varied selection of Champagnes, local IPAs or zero-alcohol alternatives. Our suggestion would be the Terroir Old Fashioned. Retinkering the agave-based Oaxaca Old Fashioned, the recipe combines aged tequila, yellow chartreuse and Vin Jaune wine for a wallop of sweet and vegetal flavor. In lieu of simple syrup and bitters, you'll be stirring up an agave caramel mix perfect for pouring into other cocktails once it has been batched.
If you happen to be in the city and want to try out its cocktails for yourself, Overstory will be hosting a public pop-up in collaboration with Camparino in Galleria from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. on May 6.
(Photo: superbuenonyc/Instagram)[/caption]
Unlike many of the established names on this year's list, Superbueno first opened its doors in early 2023. The cozy East Village hideaway proved an instant hit with its moody lighting, inventive Mexican bites (Doritos topped with ceviche are a consistent favorite) and, of course, its cocktails.
Visitors to Superbueno quickly learn that it's all about the signature Green Mango Martini. In place of gin and vermouth, bartenders use unripened mango-infused tequila and Sauternes, a sweet French wine packed with flavors of baking spice and gentle acidity. Influences are rounded out with a splash of mango brandy, honey and chile oil.
Superbueno founder Ignacio "Nacho" Jimenez says that the cocktail is an ode to the fresh fruit stands of his childhood in Guanajuato, Mexico. Imagine the chile oil as a sprinkling of Tajin, or the Sauternes as a squirt of orange and lime. Works great as an after-dinner treat.
(Photo: handshake_bar/Instagram)[/caption]
Whether hidden behind a freezer door or at the back of a barbershop, the speakeasy concept has taken craft cocktail bars by storm over the past few years. Mexico City's Handshake Speakeasy, located behind a thick black door bearing an ominous "13," embraces its name in stride.
Entire articles have been dedicated to exploring the creation of individual cocktails at the bar. The hours-long process behind the Mex-Thai, detailed by Punch Drink, involves beakers and pipettes used to cook up a clarified tomato cordial and makrut lime distillate for a tequila-centric recipe.
Showstopping garnishes are also on full display. The Banana Split, pictured above, features a chocolate Lego brick filled with banana cream. Other cocktails like the Rose Negroni include a coin-shaped slice of Tutti Frutti candy on top.
Handshake's Instagram is chock full of behind-the-scenes looks at its laboratory-like mixology process, though sadly, exact recipes and measurements are hard to come by.