Good vodka or rum drink at Eastern Standard?

[Ally Cat]

We're going there for a drink before dinner on Satuday. We don't like gin, but anything else is okay.

Anything not to be missed? Many of the cocktails on the menu looked great.

Thanks

[kittychow]

One of their signature drinks is called The Pelican. It's made with a house-made strawberry (I think...) vodka. It's a girlie pink thing but it's nice and smooth and not too sweet.

[Zatan]

I agree with the other comments here, and actually love to play dumb when I go so I can get the bartenders started on their descriptions, they do take their craft seriously and know the drinks well enough to match them to your tastes. One of the only places I would trust to make most of the drinks mentioned here.

[RoyRon]

I am also into classic cocktails and have found ES to have some of the best and most knowledgable bar staff in town. They are one of the few places I have found that feature rye whiskeys which in my opinion are necessary for Manhattens, Old Fashions, Negronis, etc. ES has a great selection of excellent rye whiskeys and at least one of the bar staff seems to be an expert on each of them. You can alway get a real education on whiskeys, rums, cognacs, etc at ES from the bar staff

[MC Slim JB]

I'm with you all the way on this comment about ESK and rye, except for the bit about Negronis (which are made with gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari).

[Alcachofa]

Roy, whenever I see your username, I ALWAYS see it as "RobRoy" first. Which I'm sure they could also make well at ES.

[NiKoLe1625]

I actually had an amazing cosmopolitan there a couple of weeks ago. I know it's a really simple drink to order, but there was something about it that was awesome. Also, they make a mean negroni

[MC Slim JB]

Those folks at ESK take the bartending craft seriously. It's easy: ask them to suggest something with rum or vodka. They'll likely ask you a few questions to suss out your preferences, then make you something novel and wonderful. Few places in town do the classic 19th-century cocktails (e.g, the Sazerac) like them.

Some favorites (sorry I can't help with vodka cocktail suggestions): Negroni, Pegu Club, Jack Rose, Metamorphosis, The Rat, Aviation, Hemingway Daiquiri (with shaved ice, nice).

I quite liked one I had there the other day that hadn't seen before, a Hoskins: gin, Maraschino liqueur, Amer Picon, Cointreau, and orange bitters. Attractive, unusual, delicious.

[pamalamb]

I agree, this is the kind of place where you can trust the bartender to find something you like.

Last time I was there, I had the Periodista (described as Sultry Apricot). I'm not sure what was in it, definitely not gin, but it was fantastic.

[MC Slim JB]

That's a rum cocktail of Cuban origin, with apricot brandy, Cointreau, and lime juice. Chez Henri does a notable one, too.

[BostonCorkDork]

periodistas are yummy. the b-side in cambridge has a good one too.

[bitsubeats]

I like the au provence and the jack rose. I forget what the au provence is made with (you can check the webpage). The jack rose is made with (I think) house made grenadine and apple jack. absolutely delicious

[k206]

The au provence is made with tarragon vodka and lemon juice, i believe. it's fabulous...