We Ask Everdene’s F&B Director Dennis O’Connor the Story Behind his Cocktail Program

Everdene at Virgin Hotels New York City is a beautiful rooftop oasis along Broadway and 30th St offering a spontaneous and playful scene with multiple spaces to take in the views of the city.

It embodies a natural botanical spirit, incorporating an abundance of plants and flowers to bring the outdoors inside.

Located on the third floor, this entertainment hub and all-day dining space consists of multiple venues including the indoor-outdoor Conservatory terrace, the rainbow-accented Library, and the robust Bar. While blending a passion for food and beverage, each venue mixes with the local landscape, providing a vibrant, inclusive environment for travelers and locals alike. From early in the day to late at night, guests will never experience a dull moment.

In an atmosphere as lively as it is inviting, visitors can indulge creative cocktails and elevated food options during any time of the day at Everdene. Those attending the later portion of evenings can expect dynamic programming from Tuesday to Sunday featuring a rotating roster of DJs and live jazz.

Imbibers are in for a treat as the cocktail menu is both concise and playful, using adaptations of classic cocktails in creating seasonal offerings. They utilize seasonal ingredients and garnishes to fit the time of the year and what is coming out of the markets. Visual appeal is also prioritized, which is why they include creative presentations like pink peppercorns and cilantro to introduce a cheeky version of a classic margarita.

Everdene is one of many NYC bars partaking in the current themed drink menu resurgence. Their theme revolves around iconic Virgin Records and Albums and is displayed through playful names to express the whimsical nature of the cocktails.

Interested in hopping aboard the themed menu train? Director of Food and Beverage Dennis O’Connor suggests hitting all the bases. “There needs to be a balance, but also concise enough to be executable for your team. And as far as ingredients go, keep it simple. Fresh, and good quality.”

Photo by Michael Murphy

Gin

Fast Love

Ingredients

• 2 oz Sipsmith London Dry Gin
• 3/4 oz Lavender Pea Flower Cordial
• 3/4 oz Lemon Juice
• 2 Dash of Fee Foam
• Garnish: 1 Sprig of Dried Lavender / Pea Flower

Preparation

1. Add all ingredients to shaker with cubed ice, shake, pour into coupe

Photo by Michael Murphy

Vodka

You Can't Always Get What You Want

Ingredients

• 2 oz Absolut Vodka
• 3/4 oz Lemon Juice
• 1/2 oz Le Sirop ginger honey syrup
• 2 oz Red Jacket apple cider
• 1 1/2 oz Club Soda
• Garnish: 3 slices of Hidden Rose Apple, 1 Sprig of Mint

Preparation

1. Add all ingredients to shaker with cubed ice, shake, pour over cubed ice in copper mug.

Photo by Michael Murphy

Red Wine, Whiskey

Are You Gonna Go My Way

Ingredients

• 2 oz Buffalo Trace Bourbon
• 3/4 oz Lemon Juice
• 1/2 oz Steen's 100% pure cane sugar
• 1 oz Cabernet Sauvignon
• Garnish: 1 Wheel of Dried Lemon

Preparation

1. Add all ingredients to shaker with cubed ice, shake and pour over cubed ice in rocks glass.

Photo by Michael Murphy

Mezcal, Tequila

Who Do You Think You Are

Ingredients

• 1 oz Cazadores Blanco Tequila
• 1 oz Illegal Mezcal
• 1 1/2 oz Pineapple Juice
• 1/2 oz Agave
• 1 Slice Serrano
• 1 Handful Cilantro
• Garnish: 4 pieces of Whole Pink Peppercorn, 1 piece of Cilantro

Preparation

1. Add all ingredients to the shaker with ice, shake, pour over cubed ice.

Virgin Hotels NYC

Comprising an entire city block in the heart of the booming NoMad neighborhood, Virgin Hotels New York City – the newest addition to the Virgin Hotels collection – delivers a vibrant yet sophisticated experience in one of the world’s most exciting cities. Boasting a contemporary design that seamlessly melds the classic Virgin aesthetic with the dynamism of the Big Apple, the 39-story hotel extends 460 guest rooms, suites, and penthouses with floor-to-ceiling windows offering spectacular skyline views. Additional highlights include Everdene, a 4,000 square foot dining and cocktail experience paired with nightly music and entertainment; an outdoor Pool Club exclusive to hotel guests; and more than 19,000 square-feet of meeting and event space – all with a picturesque backdrop of the city.

Virgin has always been the epicenter of cool. From turning the music industry on its head with you-had-to-be-there record stores; to making airline travel fashionable and glamorous again; to gifting the world with game-changing celebs (i.e. The Rolling Stones, The Sex Pistols), Virgin long ago made its name as an axis of culture. And by returning to NYC – with Virgin’s newest hotel in the NoMad district – we’re (finally) reuniting with the only city that can go toe-to-toe with us.

Put simply, if we’re the brand at the center of it all, then NYC is our match-made in heaven: the city that’s the iconic, cultural hub of the world. Whether it’s our legendary record megastores or Richard Branson’s tongue-in-cheek Times Square stunts or the launch of Virgin Voyages’ first ship, Virgin has a unique legacy and presence – specifically in NYC. Not only does this give us credibility and a leg-up to be in a newbie-wary city like NYC , but it gives us a distinctive story to tell: of a history that reflects just how daring, playful, and surprising we are.