8 Summer Cocktail Recipes From New York's Best Bartenders

Maxwell Britten - Maison Premiere

In the heart of Williamsburg lies Maison Premiere, the oyster and cocktail bar known for it's classic style and impeccable menu. Though it's known for it's absinthe selection, expert bar manager Maxwell Britten makes sure all of the cocktails are second to none.

"Obviously in NYC, and the west coast, all over the country, people want to be seasonal, always trying to work with the best produce, the best fruits and vegetables available to them, and that are nearby. Here in New York, right now, there's definitely strawberries, definitely really really delicious at this time. We also like to stay true to our brand as well, as a New Orleans inspired bar, and the Pimm's Cup is a well known cocktail from New Orleans, so we usually do a spring, summer, winter, and fall Pimm's Cup variation. So this one right here has Pimms with a strawberry fennel shrub, which is basically a balsamic vinegar based shrub using strawberries and fennel. A lot of people tend to use shrubs as an alternative for citrus, that's definitely a trend. The shrub is really something you can work into different cocktails, such as a riff on a margarita."

Maison Premiere Spring Pimms Cup -1.5oz Pimms No. 1 -.5oz Beefeater -.5oz Fesh lime juice -.25oz pineapple juice -.5oz strawberry fennel shrub -.25oz ginger -1 orange slice -8 mint leaves -1 pinch fresh ground pepper -glass: highball -garnish: mint bouquet, halved strawberry Maison Premiere, 289 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn