Our family heirloom bar is a hallmark of our award-winning bed and breakfast in Lenox, MA. Guests love being able to mix their favorite drinks and mingle with our unique BYOB setup, fully stocked with glasses, plates, and other items you might need to enjoy a cocktail or libation. Top-shelf supplies can be found at Nejaime’s Wine Cellars, located just around the corner from our inn. We highly recommend Nejaime’s for the best quality ingredients and service as well as delicious gourmet food, and we even include a gift certificate to their shop in our Classic Romance Package.
Famous Guests and a Beautiful Friendship
Brian Van Flandern and his wife Kelly stayed at Hampton Terrace Inn for their honeymoon, and after recommending Nudel as a great place to dine if you enjoy Chopped or Iron Chef, Kelly told me that Brian appeared on several Food Network shows. Surprised, I asked if he was a chef and Kelly told me that he is “America’s Top Mixologist” according to Food Network. I learned that he had created the bar menu at Per Se and subsequently partnered with Iron Chef’s Geoffrey Zakarian to create bar and food menus around the world, including the Plaza Hotel in NYC.
After sharing that my favorite cocktail is a Manhattan, Brian told me to meet him at our BYOB bar that afternoon so he could make me a proper one. This photo (above) with Brian, Kelly and Susan (my wife) was taken that evening. Since then, Brian has hosted free cocktail night at our bar and did a mixology class at the NYC Yale Club, organized and sponsored by Hampton Terrace Inn. Brian has also authored four mixology books and we are thrilled to feature some of those cocktail recipes for you in this series! A look at an actual page from one of his books is pictured below.
Featured Recipe: The Manhattan
Inspired by the story above of how we met Brian and our love for New York, we’re bringing you the Manhattan. Brian once told us that a mixed drink is only as good as the ingredients. His personal recommendations are Basil Hayden Bourbon, Antica Formula Vermouth, and Luxardo Original Maraschino Cherries. Each of these are available at Nejaime’s Wine Cellars, but if you don’t live locally, you can find your own high-quality ingredients that fit your personal taste.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. whiskey
- 1 oz. Sweet Italian Vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Directions:
- Pour all ingredients over ice in a mixing glass and stir as you would a martini.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a cherry (or twist if using dry vermouth.)
Book Your Next Getaway
This classic drink is best enjoyed surrounded by the gilded age beauty of our historic Berkshires inn! Treat yourself to a relaxing escape by booking your next getaway to Hampton Terrace Inn. Enjoy luxurious rooms, a seasonal outdoor pool, and an ideal location that is walking distance to our charming village center. It’s the perfect place to soak in some sun, outdoor beauty, and culture!
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