Lindsey Larkin
29, Upper West Side, bisexual
Where she works: 508, 508 Greenwich St., 212-219-2444
The fitness fanatic, singer/actress, head bartender and resident hot redhead knows the ingredients to dazzle a date.
What would you make to impress someone?
“I would make a Templeton Rye Old Fashioned the traditional way, (i.e., not with a bunch of smashed fruit in the bottom of a glass). Just a sugar cube covered with bitters, muddled, with Templeton stirred in and finished with a fat orange rind. And yes, I would seductively rim the glass with the rind before dropping it in. If you are the kind of man or lady that wants a smashed maraschino cherry at the bottom of your glass, you are not the date for me.”
William Pacot
32, Williamsburg, straight
Where he works: Brasserie Beaumarchais, 409 W. 13th St., 212-675-2400
William is handsome, supercharming (but never-over-the-top) and regularly behind the bar at this Meatpacking District French bistro.
What you would make to impress someone?
“The Pomelo: Gin, passion fruit syrup, St. Germain, grapefruit bitters, a fresh squeeze of lemon juice with a lemon twist on the top. Or the Apple Pucker: Apple, lemon juice, fresh mint. Shake and top with champagne.”
Angelee King
27, Financial District, straight
Where she works: Ava Lounge, 210 W. 55th St., 212-956-7020
After moving to NYC to model, Angelee left to travel and returned to bartend. The daughter of a NFL player, Ang is a huge sports fan, particularly football. When not behind the bar, she can be found kickboxing or searching for the next best brunch spot.
What would you make to impress someone?
“I’m torn between making a classic Absolut dirty martini with blue cheese-stuffed olives, or our specialty chili apple margarita. As a big tequila connoisseur, I don’t think you can go wrong with adding jalapenos and tequila!”
Joshua Brandenburg,
31, Astoria, straight
Where he works: Forty Four, Royalton, 44 West 44th St., 212-944-8844
Joshua has been manning the bar at Royalton’s Forty Four for five years and has created many of the cocktails for the menu. When’s he’s not mixing spirits, he’s likely training. Outside of Royalton, Josh is a competitive fighter trained in Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu and mixed martial arts.
What would you make to impress someone?
“Chocolate Manhattan. It’s made with Woodford Reserve bourbon, Carpano Antica, Godiva liqueur and Fee’s aromatic bitters. I serve it in a coupe glass and finish it with a chocolate straw.”
Bruck Tekle
30, Washington Heights, straight
Where he works: Ovest, 513 W. 27th St., 212-967-4392
Meet Bruck: bachelor, model and mixologist at Ovest Pizzoteca & Bar by Luzzo’s. Bruck’s drink of choice is usually a black label on the rocks, but says if he had to choose another, he’d go with the Brandy Dear Friend, made with black grapes, fresh basil leaves, lime juice, simple syrup, St. Germain and brandy.
What you would make to impress someone?
“Keeping it simple is the way to go; therefore, my drink of choice for her would be a Cucumber Gin Martini. It’s a well-balanced drink — not too sweet and not too liquorish. Just muddle fresh cucumber with simple syrup and lime juice, add a half-ounce of St. Germain and 1.5 ounces of Hendricks Gin.”
Alanna Nuala
23, Greenpoint, gay
Where she works: The Dalloway, 525 Broome St., 212-966-9620
Newly single Alanna grew up on the Lower East Side and bartends to support her music project, MOON, in which she plays guitar. She has a cat named Banjo.
What would you make to impress someone?
“I’d make our namesake cocktail, Mrs. Dalloway. It is a delicious gin drink made with raspberry puree, but what impresses me most about it is that it contains egg white. … For me, the unusual ingredient makes it all the more appealing. I love a girl who’s not afraid to try something out of the ordinary.”
