Summer Cocktails to Sip at Hudson Yards

If you aren't jetting off somewhere, Summer Fridays can mean you're left with a somewhat awkward window of time in the afternoon; it's too hot to do anything but sit and eat, but too early for dinner, and too late for lunch. One solution to this (admittedly, quite enviable) problem is to find yourself a good drinking spot, where you can while away the afternoon gossiping with friends over fizzy cocktails. To help you in this valiant endeavor, we rounded up some of the tastiest, most refreshing cocktails you can try now at the restaurants in Hudson Yards.

Restaurant: Wild Ink

Cocktail to try: The East Meets West (Side)

Like all the best cocktails, this bright and tropical gin-based drink – a twist on a gimlet – changes notes as you sip it, with a strong sweet taste upfront that transforms into a delicious coconut aftertaste. According to Wild Ink's bar manager, Matthew Fitzgerald, the secret to the drink's incredible flavor is the Pandan leaf, a Southeast Asian ingredient that gives the drink its complexity. "It's pretty crazy what a leaf can do to flavor," he says.

Restaurant: Milos Wine Bar 

Cocktail to try: Well, not a cocktail, but a wine. And since it's summer, obviously we went with a Rosé. Here, we sipped the Petite Fleur 2018 from Parparoussis.

Despite its French name, Petite Fleur is a Greek wine, which Milos sommelier Dimitrios Manousakis says has "all the floral notes of Greece, with all the delicacy and elegance of a Provençale." Certainly, this dry rosé is light and easy-to-drink, making it the perfect choice for a summer Friday afternoon.

Restaurant: Bar Stanley at Neiman Marcus

Cocktail to Try: The Good Buy

Tucked away discreetly in the back of the sixth floor of Neiman Marcus, Bar Stanley is the ideal place to rest your weary feet after a long day of shopping. And what better way to reward yourself for buying beautiful things than with a beautiful drink? As bartender Asa Scott points out, the menu at Bar Stanley was intended to "mirror what's on the floor," so expect to find many lovely cocktails that are as aesthetically pleasing as they are delicious.  The vodka-based drink The Good Buy is clean and light, with cucumber and lemon providing a cool finish. And of course, the Butterfly flowers are the perfect finishing touch.

Restaurant: Belcampo

Cocktail to Try: The Bone Broth Michelada

For anyone who ever wished they could have a side of meat with their meat, the Bone Broth Michelada from Belcampo might be the drink for you. The butcher shop has crafted their own version of the classic Mexican drink, and no surprise its base is their famous Bone broth, along with lime juice, fresno chili, savory spices, and an El Sully beer. This spicy drink is not for the faint-of-heart, but might just be the perfect fortifying drink before a big night out (or even better, after one).

Restaurant: Kāwi

Cocktail to Try: The Kim Pop

This Spritz-style cocktail may look as innocent as a simple lemonade, but be warned; Korean green chiles add some real heat, though the punch it delivers is really only enough to wake you up, not knock you out. "We designed it to be a palate starter," says Isabella Fitzgerald, Beverage Manager at Kāwi, "You can knock back a couple of these and not feel too bad." Normally made with Bridge Lane Sauvignon Blanc, the Kim Pop is also available in non-alcoholic form.

Restaurant: queensyard

Cocktail to Try: Queen's Spritz

As if it weren't already clear that this elaborate and fruity drink was designed for royalty, head mixologist Jeremy Le Blanche decided to put it in an ornate goblet, which both keeps your drink cool and – obviously – makes it look pretty cool as well. This sweet drink is made from Aperol infused with pineapple and botanicals, homemade soda, and Prosecco, and is topped off with an orange wedge and fresh marjoram that adds an invigorating aroma to each sip.