Hamilton Park at The Blake

Last week I ventured into New Haven to celebrate the grand re-opening of Hamilton Park, the restaurant at The Blake Hotel. This being my first time there, I was immediately impressed with the grand space, high ceilings, hugs windows flooding the space with natural light, and plenty of comfortable seating. Additionally there was a large outdoor patio which offered feelings of seclusion few outdoor dining areas in New Haven do. There is also a rooftop bar, the High George (a fun play on the intersection of which the hotel is located) that I didn't get to check out, but I can't wait to!

The cocktail list was full of some old favorites, such as the Bee's Knees (gin, lemon, and honey), but also offered some unique drinks such as Smoke on the Water, a rye drink with a fun presentation in a glass box filled with applewood smoke, and my personal favorite, the 1724 Tonic, similar to a gin and tonic, but with the additions of vermouth, sage, and a cucumber lavender syrup.

I also sampled a number of appetizers, most of which were very unique, such as a tapioca clam chowder, smoked bluefish dip with trout roe, and a tomato tart with melted onions. Every bite I had was delicious, and I may have eaten more than a couple of the tomato tarts, along with quite a few oysters, when we were reaching the end of the event and was told to take as many as I'd like!

If I were planning a stay in New Haven, Connecticut, The Blake Hotel would be at the top of my list, and I will definitely be dining at Hamilton Park again soon!

Thanks to Splash PR and Hamilton Park for inviting me!

            

The Rundown
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Recipe: Thyme Cranberry Sparklers

This week is all about the holidays! Today I'm sharing a delightful cocktail which is about as festive as they come. A cranberry-ginger simple syrup gives it the gorgeous red color, and other than making the syrup, it's pretty easy to put together. The thyme liqueur is a really unique spirit and might be tricky to come by, but so worth it. Here is what you need to mix it up:

2 oz Mt Gay Gold Rum
3/4 oz Giffard Thym Liqueur
1 oz Cranberry-Ginger Syrup
1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
Pinch of Ground Nutmeg
Pinch of Ground Cinnamon

Shaken, strained into flute, topped with:
1 oz Sparkling Apple Cider

Garnish with cranberries and sprigs of thyme. (Get extra fancy - make sugared cranberries)

To make the Cranberry-Ginger Syrup, simply add one cup of water, one cup of sugar, a piece of ginger (about an inch) and a handful of cranberries to a small pot. Simmer until all the berries have burst and it's a bright red color. Strain out the berries and ginger.

**This is a festive variation of the classic Daiquiri Cocktail (Rum, sugar, lime)

   

 

Thyme Cranberry Sparklers

By Chic on the Cheap

Thyme Cranberry Sparkling Cocktails, a festive holiday drink

Prep time: 5 Minutes, Cook time: 2 Minutes, Total time: 7 Minutes
Yield: 1 Drink

Ingredients:
2 oz Mt Gay Gold Rum
3/4 oz Giffard Thym Liqueur
1 oz Cranberry-Ginger Syrup
1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
Pinch of Ground Nutmeg
Pinch of Ground Cinnamon
1 oz Sparkling Apple Cider
Optional Garnish of Thyme Sprigs and Sugared Cranberries

Instructions:

Combine first 6 ingredients in shaker, strain into flute

Top with sparkling apple cider

Add garnishes