Guide to Sangrias that Swing

From NY Mag

By Daniel Maurer

(Photo: Daniel Maurer)

Who said sangria had to consist of wine, triple sec, and brandy? Certain spots are pouring unexpected liquors into the classic summer refresher.

Pisco: Rayuela

165 Allen St., nr. Stanton St.; 212-253-8840

You can get a fine traditional red sangria at this progressive Latin eatery, but its stylo libre approach to cocktails also means a white variety that combines pisco (the potent Chilean brandy) with white wine, Bacardi Limon, and chunks of kiwi, pineapple, and orange. The Cava sangria is less cooling and more festive: At the bottom of the Champagne flute it comes in you’ll find strawberries, peaches, and mangos that have been marinated in potato vodka. Another offering that incorporates sake and pear liqueur has a rich, earthy taste. Glass: $10. Pitcher: $30.

Rum and infused vodka: Barramundi

67 Clinton St., nr. Rivington St.; 212-529-6900

This Lower East Side mainstay uses rum instead of brandy in their tart white sangria, which is ladled from a jug on the bar. While you’re sipping it at the open windows up front, see if you can taste the secret ingredient: house-infused vodka. Glass: $5. Pint: $8 (dollar off during happy hour, Daily, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.).

Sake: Sumile Sushi

154 W. 13th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-989-7699

If you’re fortunate enough to snag a sidewalk seat on this sushi den’s leafy residential block, celebrate with a complex sangria in which the acidity of Sancerre wine evens out the dryness of Suishin sake. A bed of cantaloupe, honeydew, mango, papaya, pineapple, and kiwi infuses the drink with a tropical flavor. Glass: $8. Pitcher: $15.

Cachaça: Carne Vale

46 Ave. B, nr. 4th St.; 212-777-4686

Booze usually balances a sangria rather than dominates it, but at this Brazilian rodizio, the bracing taste of premium cachaça comes on strong. It’s combined with passion-fruit purée and the house sangria, a mix of red wines, Champagne, vodka, chopped fruit, and pineapple and cranberry juices. It’s best enjoyed on the narrow back patio, when there’s a live samba band on the weekend. Glass: $9. Pitcher: $45.

Gin, tequila, and beer: Boqueria

53 W. 19th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-255-4160

If the concept of beer sangria rubs you the wrong way, think of Boqueria’s signature drink (actually created at sister restaurant Suba) as more of a shandy: It’s wheat beer with just a bit of lemon juice and triple sec. A rose variety marries the dry woodiness of gold tequila with the tartness of cranberries and pomegranate juice. White rum and apricot purée drive the white sangria while a hint of gin puts a twist on the traditional red. Glass: $8. Pitcher $32.

Limoncello: Dani

333 Hudson St., at Charlton St.; 212-633-9333

What do you get when you mix homemade limoncello and Italian brandy with muddled fruit and passion-fruit purée, adding a colorful float of red wine? Sicilian sangria, says Ben Scorah, the mixologist at this West Village Italian spot. Dani’s kitchen was a filming location for No Reservations, but that's neither here nor there when you're sipping at one of the covered sidewalk seats. Glass: $10.

Julia Alvarez on the Quinceañera

Julia Alvarez reading from Once Upon a Quinceañera

August 6 at 7pm

Barnes and Noble

Lincoln Triangle

1972 Broadway

212-595-6859

Once Upon a Quinceañera is an enlightening, accessible, and entertaining portrait of contemporary Latino culture as well as a critical look at the rituals of coming of age and the economic and social consequences of the quince parties.

chic outlet shopping in spain

Leave it to the fabulous julib.com to report on another reason to jet to europe.

Chic Outlet Shopping in Europe.

when in spain. you'll find versace, carolina herrera, and hugo boss at at madrid's la rozas village, just outside madrid and very near the museum district (hey, mix a bit of culture with your couture). and forty minutes outside barcelona, las roca village offers burberry, ralph lauren, la perla, and (hometown hero) camper. reductions up to 60 percent means you won't leave empty-handed. make time for a late meal at el bulli, but call ahead - they are booked six months in advance.

illustration by anne smith

Manu Chao's new album La Radiolina set for release on Sept 4th

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Check It Out

MARQUÉS DE CÁCERES rated best buy and 87 points by Wine Spectator

MARQUÉS DE CÁCERESRioja Rosado 2006 (87 points, $8)

A bold rosé, delivering cherry, rose, menthol and herb flavors in a firm, full-bodied style. A bit rich on its own, but a good match for food. Drink now through 2008. 18,000 cases imported. From Spain.

Que me des tu cariño - Juan Luis Guerra y 4.40

Blowin' Up: The New Brazilian

The querida amigas at Splendora.com published this "incredible, ‘investigate immediately!’, ‘life altering!’, ‘Where do I sign up?’" report

Blowouts are both the bane and boon of our existence. Doing the DIY blowdry is a chore, but the in-salon treatment is a genuine beauty escape. There's nothing like walking out of a beauty shoppe with a smooth, shiny head full of bouncing hair. We sometimes get so taken with the results that we roll down the block flipping the hair back and forth like a Flex commercial. Alas, the fresh feeling does not last forever and we must wash and dry on our own. Then the process of straightening out our unruly locks begins once again. However, leave it to those crafty Brazilians (who by the way, give the BEST blowouts) to bring their secret Escova Progressiva (a.k.a. Progressive Blowdry) treatment to the States. Just like the now ubiquitous Brazilian Bikini Wax, prepare yourself for the fanaticism that the aptly named "Brazilian Blowout" is about to cause. Unlike the Japanese Thermal Reconditioning Treatments of yore, the Brazilian hair straightening system is a Keratin based solution (which is essentially hair protein) that is sealed onto the "outer layer of the hair cuticle to trap moisture, hydrate the hair, and add a glossy veneer." Indeed there is a hot iron involved, but it can be used on most hair types as well as color-treated hair. Women who have had the treatment have wept with joy at the results. We're getting our Kleenex ready. To see if the Brazilian cocktail is served in your neighborhood, check out Brazilian Keratin or Brazilian Hair Straightening.
"Curls, Split! Ringlets, Be Gone!"