
Bartender’s Best


Bartender's Best
Three Summertime Cocktails
We couldn’t choose between these summer cocktails from Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grille! Make all three right in a pint glass.

Bartender's Best
Bourbon Arnold Palmer
Looking for something to help cool off? Shake up a Bourbon Arnold Palmer with this cocktail recipe from the Pier House

Bartender's Best
Negroni
Recipe courtesy of The Washington Inn This cocktail, which takes its striking red color from Campari, originated in Florence, Italy in the early 1900s. “[The Negroni] stands tall in its simplicity and sophistication,” says the Washington Inn. “Perfectly balanced with a touch of bitterness, it’s a flawless choice for anyone […]

Bartender's Best
The Lobster House
Cozy up with these festive cocktails from the bartenders at The Lobster House! Christmas Cookie To a shaker, add vodka, Bailey’s, amaretto, and half & half. Set aside. Roll the rim of a martini glass in vanilla frosting, then roll in sprinkles to create a candy edge. Pour drink into […]

Bartender's Best
Bee’s Knees
The Bees Knees, a new bee-themed bar at the Marquis de Lafayette, takes inspiration from a 1920s speakeasy, but it doesn’t make itself hard to find. A neon sign in the entrance proudly pronounces it as Cape May’s “worst” kept secret. The cocktail menu includes Prohibition-era nods such as Giggle […]

Bartender's Best
Cape May Warbler
The sunny color of this avian-inspired cocktail comes from yellow chartreuse and bell pepper juice. Find smoked sea salt in specialty stores and online; locally, you can find a hickory-smoked variety at Spice Cellar on Carpenters Lane. How to make it Shake all ingredients and serve in a double old […]

Bartender's Best
Cherry Bourbon Sour
Lemon juice cuts the sweetness of this bourbon-based cocktail, while the muddled Luxardo cherries at the bottom of the glass make for a delicious finish. Find these Italian-made cherries in specialty stores or online. They aren’t your typical maraschinos; we wouldn’t recommend substituting the bright red variety. For a true […]

Bartender's Best
Purple Rain
Steve at the Mad Batter showed us how to mix up this new cocktail from their Spring menu!

Bartender's Best
Fig Sidecar and Leo’s Blackberry Smash
Leo from The Ebbitt Room shares two of his favorite winter cocktails to warm up any holiday party (or evening on the couch)!

Bartender's Best
Bruleed Banana Boulvardier
This cocktail recipe is courtesy of Ocean 7 at the Inn of Cape May How to make it In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine bourbon, Campari, banana liquor and sherry. Stir to chill. Strain over rocks in a rocks glass. Next, build your garnish: Slide the banana slice […]

Bartender's Best
The Lafayette
A citrus cocktail from the Porch @ Elaine’s! Ingredients Combine spirits, agave, and lime in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and pour into a highball glass. Top with orange juice, grapefruit sparkling water, and stir to combine. Garnish with a fresh grapefruit slice (we used a flower for color). […]

Bartender's Best
Spiced Apple Manhattan
Ingredients 2oz Crown Royal Apple 1oz ginger liqueur 1oz sweet vermouth 2 dashes Angostura bitters Caramel drizzle 1 brandy spiced cherry (a cherry soaked in brandy with cinnamon, allspice, and cloves) Pour Crown Apple, sweet vermouth, ginger liqueur, and bitters over ice in shaker. Stir for 20 seconds. Pour into […]

Bartender's Best
Mint Julep
Ingredients 2 oz premium bourbon 1/2 oz simple syrup 2 sprigs of fresh mint Rub the leaves from one sprig of mint on the inside of a traditional julep cup or highball glass. Leave mint leaves in the cup and pour in bourbon and simple syrup. Add ice and stir. […]

Bartender's Best
Beach Plum Farm Berry Mojito
Ingredients Fresh strawberries and blueberries Fresh mint leaves Wedge of lime 1oz simple syrup 1oz fresh lime juice 3oz rum Club soda In a tall glass, muddle fresh mint leaves and berries (The Nail uses organic strawberries and blueberries from Beach Plum Farm) with a wedge of lime. Fill the […]

Bartender's Best
The Ocean Club Cocktail
In a mixing glass, muddle 5 fresh Italian sweet basil leaves, 5 fresh thinly sliced English cucumber slices, and 1.5 ounces of homemade lime mix (fresh lime juice and simple syrup). Ingredients should be muddled firmly while being careful to keep the cucumber and basil partially intact for both presentation […]

Bartender's Best
Lucky Bones Beach Plum Mojito
Add simple syrup, Beach Plum purée, mint, and lime to pint glass. Muddle. Add rum and top with ice. Fill glass with club soda and stir with a bar spoon. Serve with a lime wheel and mint leaf. Tips for a great mojito:

Bartender's Best
Flight of Wine
Create your own flight of wine for the holidays! The Washington Inn serves Stag Leap Petite Syrah, Reserve de la Sayrine Rosé, and Ancilla Lugana Ella—a non-sparkling Italian white wine. Flight glass holders, similar to shown, are available on Etsy.

Bartender's Best
Sweet Dreams from the Mad Batter Restaurant
Recipe courtesy of the Mad Batter 1/2 oz London dry gin 1/2 oz brandy 1/2 oz pear vodka 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice 3/4 oz simple syrup (1:1 ratio) 1 drop cinnamon tincture 1 drop clove tincture 6 drops chamomile tincture 1 fresh sage leaf (garnish) Freshly ground nutmeg (for […]

Bartender's Best
Cape May Mariner
“The Cape May Mariner has been a popular drink at Aleathea’s since before any of the present bartenders even started working here! It’s become a standby—one of our classic summer cocktails.” 1.5 oz orange vodka .75 oz Grand Marnier .375 oz pomegranate liquor .75 oz cranberry juice .75oz lime juice […]

Bartender's Best
Sawyer’s Summer from the King Edward Bar
In honor of the Chalfonte’s 140th season, enjoy this sweet sipping, refreshing cocktail—perfect for relaxing on the porch on a summer evening.

Bartender's Best
Blueberry Ouzo Lemonada from the Pier House
This cocktail is a cool, refreshing blend of lemonade, grape juice, and fresh mint picked right from our garden, and the added kick of Ouzo, the Greek aperitif. Simply put, it’s a symphony of summertime splendor.

Bartender's Best
Whiskey Smash from the Brown Room
This drink from Congress Hall’s 200th Anniversary Presidential Cocktail menu was inspired by James Buchanan because of his passion for whiskey.