Good Times & Happy Hours: Mixing It Up at West Village Bars

Ever wonder what makes that one drink at your favorite West Village bars hit the spot every time? Whether it's the draft beer of the day or one of our specialty cocktails, your go-to during happy hour didn't happen by accident. Many talented tastemakers had a hand in crafting that satisfying sip.

What is Mixology?

Mixology is the art of creating cocktails, combining creativity and accuracy to achieve the ideal flavor balance and aesthetic appeal. The bartender's art resides in their ability to combine different, sometimes unlikely, components to make drinks that please the eye and the palate.

It might not seem so on the surface, but there's a lot of science involved in this art. A bartender must understand the chemistry of every ingredient and how it interacts with others to produce a pleasant, well-balanced drink that their customers will love. This deeper understanding separates the good mixologists from the truly great.

Science in a Glass

The next time you're enjoying a happy hour in the West Village in NYC, take a moment to think about all the elements that went into crafting the specialty cocktail of the day. This type of drink is a delicate balance of flavors, temperatures, and even the type of glass it's served in.

Understanding Flavors

It's not all about the alcohol – flavor is key to any beverage choice. With a deep understanding of how our taste buds interpret various flavors, the bartenders at West Village Bars shake up inventive and delectable cocktails that will wow even the pickiest guests.

Our perception of a cocktail's flavor can be influenced by its scent. This explains the significance of aromatic garnishes such as citrus, herbs, and spices. In our Solstice cocktail, for example, the tart pineapple is perfectly complimented by the warm scent of cinnamon.

A good cocktail will play different types of flavors off each other – think sweetness, bitterness, sourness, floral notes, and spice. A seemingly simple touch can make a big impact; for instance, the flavors of a cocktail can be enhanced by adding a pinch of salt to the shaker. It's all about harmony for the taste buds.

Be Cool, Sip Smooth

You might think the ice in your drink is just there to water it down, but you'd be wrong. Temperature is one of the most crucial factors in the delivery of a perfect cocktail. It turns out that how cold your drink is impacts how it tastes when you sip it. For example, colder drinks can taste less sweet. Controlling that temperature helps keep the cocktail in the sweet spot for longer, so you can enjoy the flavors as they were meant to be savored. Larger ice shapes create more surface area, so your ice cools more of your drink while melting more slowly.

Sometimes, your cocktail is diluted on purpose. Mixologists add water or a plain mixer to a beverage to balance the flavors and improve its drinkability. The dilution stimulated by swirling or shaking the ingredients helps to blend the different flavors more seamlessly.

Glassware: Not Just for Looks

The type of glass a cocktail is served in isn't just about snapping a perfect picture for social media. Stemmed glasses, such as a martini glass, help keep your hands away from the drink, to prevent your body heat from affecting the temperature. That holds true for wine glasses, too.

The glass's size and shape can affect how you drink it. A delicate martini glass isn't just for easy sipping; it also cues you to drink more slowly and savor your drink. Something similar happens with lowball glasses, which are usually used for drinks served at a smaller volume.

Next time you're handed a cocktail, take a moment to appreciate the glass it comes in – it's part of the experience!

Raise a Cocktail to Happy Hour at the White Horse Tavern

No matter your drink of choice, our mixologists are on hand to serve you a smile when you need it. Happy hour is the best time to try something new at your favorite bar. The prices are cheap, and the drinks are great. And it's just at the right time to schedule a late business lunch or meet up with your friends after work.

The White Horse Tavern does happy hour better than other West Village bars. The mix of old-world charm and modern touches welcomes you in, and the prices make it easy to linger and enjoy. Our mixologists craft the specialty cocktail of the day alongside classic favorites for you to enjoy. Join us for happy hour in the West Village, NYC, every Monday through Friday between 2 pm and 6 pm. See you there!