TAKE A FLIGHT AT THE FLATIRON LOUNGE Julie Reiner's Trio of Cocktails Takes You Away

TAKE A FLIGHT AT THE FLATIRON LOUNGE
Julie Reiner Shakes Up A Trio of Cocktails That Takes You Away

Leave your passport and luggage at home. You can take a Flight to Italy at Manhattan's new gourmet cocktail destination, Flatiron Lounge (37 West 19th Street, 212-727-7741). Co-owner and master mixologist Julie Reiner takes you to a new destination each day with her signature flights—a trio of small (3 ½ ounces each) cocktails nestled in a custom made wooden tray, sculpted by Reiner's brother.

On the Flight to Italy, Julie Reiner creates three sun-kissed cocktails with super premium Italian liqueurs (GranGala Triple Orange Liqueur and Limoncé Limoncello) mixed with fresh juices and fine spirits. "The Flatiron Lounge is all about fresh,' explains Reiner. "Just as the city's top chefs search for the finest seasonal produce, I haunt the market for fruits that are luscious and ripe. When I first created the Italian Flight, blood oranges were in season. During the summer months when they are no longer available, I change that cocktail to feature red currant and a squeeze of fresh orange instead. I'm not afraid to alter our cocktail menu on a weekly basis to offer our guests delicious drinks they can't find anywhere else.'

Julie Reiner's Flights are extremely popular. The wait staff informs guests of the flight of the day ($18 for the trio), in much the same way as waiters recite the daily specials in a restaurant. "The Flights comprise 20% of our nightly sales and their concept and execution are unique to our establishment,' says Reiner. Other Flights include the Flight to Kentucky (this trio includes the Gran Derby, the Apple Manhattan and the Gala Side), Flight to France and sometimes even a Flight back to Hawaii—it depends on where Julie feels like taking her customers that day.

The Flatiron Lounge is owned by Julie Reiner, Susan Fedroff, Michelle Connolly, and Kristina Kossi. The four entrepreneurs have an impressive resume of skills encompassing mixology, bar management, finance, and design. Located in a landmark building, the Flatiron Lounge has a vintage Art Deco interior. A historic mahogany bar from the same period acts as the centerpiece, while the back wall is a mosaic of antique, cobalt mirror from the 1920s above comfortable red leather banquettes. The dramatic space is the perfect setting to enjoy Julie Reiner's fresh from the market cocktails.

Julie Reiner's Italian Flight

Limonata
·2 oz Absolut Citron vodka
·1/2 oz Limoncé Limoncello
·1 oz Fresh lemon juice
·3/4 oz Simple syrup

Shake all ingredients and strain into a Martini glass. Garnish with a lemon.

Sienna
·2oz Absolut Mandarin vodka
·1oz Peach puree
·1/2 oz Simple syrup
·Splash of Prosecco or Champagne

Shake first 3 ingredients and strain into a Martini glass. Top with Champagne and garnish with an orange.

Blood Orange Martini
·2 oz Stolichnaya Ohranj vodka
·1/2 oz GranGala Triple Orange Liqueur
·1/2 oz Fresh lime juice
·1 oz Fresh blood orange (when blood oranges are out of season muddle red currants and add a splash of fresh orange juice)

Shake all ingredients and strain into a Martini glass. Garnish with a blood orange (or an orange when necessary)