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NYC's 5 Best Meat Cocktails

Ah, meat. We have it for cookouts, as a side dish to our morning eggs, in between sliced bread and cheese...and in our cocktails? That's right, New York City offers many meat-infused cocktails - so many, in fact, that this is just our first round-up of the city's best meat cocktails. Sorry, these drinks don't come with a side of mustard or ketchup.  By Jonathan Pogash.

Benton's Old Fashioned

Benton's Old Fashioned
credit: Nick Brown/PDT

The drink that some say started it all, PDT's Benton's Old Fashioned, tops our list. Created by Don Lee, this cocktail combines bacon-infused bourbon, grade B maple syrup, angostura bitters, and an orange peel. It's one of the most delicious liquid creations you'll every taste. This variation on the classic Old Fashioned has remnants of it's predecessor, and is surely one for the cocktail history books.

Cerdo de Moda

Ma Peche
(credit: Ma Peche/Facebook)

At Momofuku's only Midtown location, Ma Peche, order the Cerdo de Moda. It's a blend of pork-infused Espelon Reposado tequila, agave nectar, and bitters. Add in some steamed pork buns and your meal is complete.

Veselka Bowery
credit: Facebook/Veselka Bowery

Veselka Bloody Mary

Veselka's new Bowery outpost adds meat to their version of this tangy classic by infusing Russian Standard vodka with Kielbasa. While you're at it, have a gander at their gigantic selection of vodkas from around the world. Vodka and meat-lovers - you're in paradise at Veselka.

Beef Jerky
credit: Omaha Steaks

Honey Badger

The Honey Badger cocktail at Fedora uses something quite unique to accent it's flavors: house-made beef jerky bitters. This, along with Rittenhouse Rye whiskey, Combier orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, and honey syrup round out the drink and leave you wondering just how they do it. Ask your bartender to try the bitters on their own - you'll see why it's an unusual, yet necessary feature.

Jane's Sweet Buns Bourbon
credit: Facebook/Jane's Sweet Buns

Southern Special


Although Jane's Sweet Buns is technically not a drinking establishment, each of the home-made buns incorporate spirits.  Order up the Southern Special: bourbon, bacon, brown sugar, nectarine, and white cheddar.

For the latest on NYC's cocktail scene, follow us on Twitter!

Jonathan Pogash, aka The Cocktail Guru, is a beverage consultant, writer, and educator.
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