Nestled on top of Bow Market in Somerville is Nook, a stylish cocktail bar renowned for its inviting atmosphere and a unique cinema-themed drink menu that changes every three to four months. Recently, the theme revolves around iconic films, offering cocktails inspired by classics like "The Silence of the Lambs" with the “Little Starling” cocktail, which features a fava bean shrub and chianti float, and "The Big Lebowski," represented by “The Other Lebowski,” a blend of clarified milk punch and cold brew.

While visiting, I decided to try “The Substance,” named after Coralie Fargeat’s body horror film. It was served in a whiskey glass with a tajin-lime garnish. Although the drink’s color was more subdued than expected, its flavor was vibrant, spicy, and refreshing. My companion opted for “The Long Goodbye,” a mix of house rum, Aperol, coffee, cinnamon, lime, and wormwood bitters, which was just the right balance of spice and sweetness, beautifully served in a highball glass.

I also tasted “Gordon Cole,” a nod to "Twin Peaks," featuring ingredients like Vecchio Amaro del Capo, Aperol, lemon juice, and baijiu. The drink was as bold and unexpected as the TV show, with a striking shade of luminescent orange.

Nook is known for its inventive cocktails, often featuring unusual elements such as mascarpone-washed vodka or gouda-washed Irish whiskey, and all infusions and ingredients are made in-house by a creative bartending team. This dedication to experimentation has produced some equally unique past offerings, including dashi-infused whiskey and feta-infused rum.

As a part of Bow Market, guests at Nook can take their drinks outdoors, enjoying them around the market while exploring the other shops and eateries. The ambiance, particularly in the evening with candlelit tables, makes Nook an ideal spot for a date or a cozy gathering, providing an especially charming environment for those seeking a themed cocktail experience in Union Square.

For more information, visit Nook.

Harvey’s Coffee & Cocktails, located at 2706 Olive Street in Midtown St. Louis, is quickly becoming a local favorite since its opening in 2024. The venue blends a cozy atmosphere with an exciting menu, offering everything from early morning espresso to evening cocktails.

One of the standout features of Harvey’s is a large live projection that showcases serene beach scenes, creating a calming ambiance at any hour. The space includes a stunning 16-foot bar made from repurposed barn wood, which adds to the rustic charm.

Harvey’s is not just a coffee shop; it also offers flexible event hosting. Whether it’s for private parties, happy hours, or catering special events, the venue can accommodate up to 95 guests. They are ready to customize menus and decorations, making it an ideal choice for both intimate gatherings and larger celebrations.

Let’s take a sensory trip to the Italian coast with the delightful Aperol, a cocktail beloved for its bittersweet profile and bright orange hue. First crafted in 1919 by brothers Luigi and Silvio Barbieri, it quickly became a favorite across the globe, particularly as the star of the classic Aperol Spritz. However, there are many inventive ways to savor this unique spirit beyond the Spritz.

Cocktail Recipes

1. Paper Plane

   • Ingredients:
     • 3/4 oz bourbon
     • 3/4 oz Aperol
     • 3/4 oz Amaro Nonino Quintessentia
     • 3/4 oz lemon juice
   • Directions: Shake ingredients with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass.

2. Apparent Sour

   • Ingredients:
     • 2 oz Aperol
     • 3/4 oz Elderflower liqueur
     • 3/4 oz lime juice
   • Directions: Combine in a shaker with ice, shake, and pour into a glass.

3. 3-2-1 Aperol Spritz

   • Ingredients:
     • 3 oz Cinzano Prosecco D.O.C.
     • 2 oz Aperol
     • 1 oz soda water
     • 1 slice of orange
   • Directions: Combine all ingredients over ice in a wine glass. Garnish with an orange slice.

4. Contessa

   • Ingredients:
     • 1 part London Dry Gin
     • 1 part Aperol
     • 1 part Cocchi Americano
     • Orange rind
   • Directions: Mix with ice in a shaker and strain into a glass filled with ice, express orange rind over the top.

5. Naked and Famous

   • Ingredients:
     • 3/4 oz Aperol
     • 3/4 oz mezcal
     • 3/4 oz yellow Chartreuse
     • 3/4 oz lime juice
   • Directions: Shake all ingredients with ice until chilled, then pour into a coupe glass.

6. Love Gun

   • Ingredients:
     • 1 sprig tarragon
     • 1/4 cup Staple Gin
     • 2 tbsp fresh blood orange juice
     • 2 tbsp Aperol
     • 1 tbsp simple syrup
     • 4 tbsp pink champagne
   • Directions: Muddle tarragon, add other ingredients apart from champagne, shake with ice, and strain into a glass before topping with champagne.

7. Unusual Negroni

   • Ingredients:
     • 1 oz dry gin
     • 1 oz Lillet Blanc
     • 1 oz Aperol
     • Orange rind
   • Directions: In a rocks glass filled with ice, stir the ingredients together and garnish with the orange rind.

8. Icelandic Lady

   • Ingredients:
     • 1 oz Reyka Vodka
     • 1/2 oz Aperol
     • 1/2 oz honey syrup
     • 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
     • Champagne or Prosecco to top
   • Directions: Shake all ingredients and serve in a flute, topping with champagne.

9. Milady’s Spritz

   • Ingredients:
     • 2 oz Lambrusco
     • 1 1/2 oz Aperol
     • 1/2 oz Santoni Amaro
     • 1 oz club soda
     • Blood orange slice
   • Directions: Combine ingredients in a glass and stir gently.

10. Gentleman Caller

    • Ingredients:
      • 1 oz Dorothy Parker Gin
      • 1 oz Tio Pepe Fino Sherry
      • 1/2 oz Aperol
      • 1/2 oz Génépy
      • Lemon Twist
    • Directions: Stir with ice and serve in a chilled glass.

11. Spice, Girl

    • Ingredients:
      • 1 1/2 oz Montelobos Espadin Mezcal
      • 3/4 oz Ancho Reyes
      • 1/2 oz Foro Amaro
      • 1/4 oz Aperol
      • 1/4 oz Raspberry Oleo Syrup
      • 3 dashes Blood Orange Tincture
    • Directions: Mix ingredients in a double rocks glass with ice and stir, then garnish.

Whether you’re enjoying a relaxing evening at home or hosting a lively gathering, these versatile Aperol cocktails promise to transport your taste buds straight to the sunny shores of Italy. Cheers!

Nothing is worse than serving a dull cocktail when you aim to impress. The vibrant aesthetics of craftsman cocktails can fail without the proper balance of aroma and flavor, and one often overlooked aspect is smell. The aroma of a drink is a crucial part of its identity, intricately linked to how we perceive flavor.

John Roel Carpo, a bar manager at various Manhattan restaurants, emphasizes the importance of scent in cocktails. For him, the aroma isn’t just an afterthought; it’s essential. Carpo states, “I always do scent. It creates a burst of aroma that hits your nose before the first sip,” noting that this step is vital when creating complex, balanced drinks.

The connection between scent and taste isn’t fully understood, yet it’s widely accepted that our sense of smell profoundly influences our tasting experience. Aromatic elements often come disguised as garnishes, such as charred rosemary or burnt orange peels.

Tips for Enhancing Cocktails with Scent

Carpo provides practical advice for those wishing to elevate their home cocktails. First, align the peel or zest with the cocktail’s base liquor. For instance, pairing orange zest with a Mezcal negroni can enhance the drink’s essence, while a Bellini can be brightened up with a spritz of peach liquor.

Additionally, cocktail perfumes can be easily made at home. A straightforward approach involves mixing one part water, two parts vodka, and an aromatic ingredient or blend. This mixture should be allowed to standalone in a jar for several days to two weeks, allowing the flavors to infuse. Once ready, strain the solid materials and transfer the liquid into a fine mist spray bottle, making it easy to enhance cocktails instantly.

Fruit, herbs, and spices such as lavender, ginger, or cinnamon can create fragrant combinations that cater to various tastes. Adventurous drinkers might even explore savory elements like curry or hot peppers. However, it’s crucial to avoid scent saboteurs like old, scent-filled ice and strongly flavored mixers to preserve the intended bouquet and taste of the cocktail.

Elevating cocktails through scent not only adds depth but also transforms the sensory experience, turning an ordinary drink into an extraordinary one.

Tim Felkner is set to launch Broderick, a new cocktail bar in Denver’s Wash Park neighborhood, at 1080 S. Gaylord St. Opening on August 19, this venue aims to provide a cozy atmosphere for patrons looking to enjoy a drink before or after dinner. Felkner expects the bar to function as a relaxed gathering spot, especially for those facing long wait times at nearby restaurants.

Broderick will feature a menu of Felkner’s signature cocktails, including the negroni and old fashioned, along with items from his past experiences in San Francisco. Reflecting on the vibrant social life he shared with friends, Felkner wishes to recreate that ambiance in this new location, complete with inviting couches and soft lighting.

In addition to crafted cocktails, the menu will include light bites, such as $10 salads, $15 paninis, and $22 charcuterie boards. Initially, Broderick will operate from 4 p.m. to 10 or 11 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday, with plans to extend hours to offer coffee and breakfast options in the near future.

This is Felkner’s second venture into Denver’s bar scene after running a previous spot in Ruby Hill. He expressed that the Ruby Hill location lacked sufficient space and foot traffic, making the move to a more vibrant area like Gaylord Street a strategic choice.

Felkner encountered lengthy permitting delays with the City of Denver, taking about nine months to secure the necessary approvals. He previously experienced a faster process in San Francisco, where he often secured permits within three months.

Despite the delays, Felkner is enthusiastic about Broderick’s opening. His parent company, Broderick & Co., also plans to launch a line of spirits under the Broderick label in the future.

For more information and updates, visit BusinessDen.