1534, New Little Italy Cocktail Den, Opens Tonight

Just a week after Mary Queen of Scots opened on the Lower East Side, with a drinks list that accentuated Scottish elixirs, comes the unveiling of 1534, a "cocktail sanctuary" just a few blocks away, that will focus on the liquid flavors of France and its colonies.

The joint was conceived by the owner of upstairs neighbor, Jacques, and the liquor program is being handled by the very busy Contemporary Cocktails crew (The Breslin, etc.). The cocktails have names that evoke French culture and history, like Code Noir, Napoleon's Loss, Tahitian 75 and The Pearl of the Antilles, but the list is divided in various spheres of French imperialistic influence, such as Americas, French Polynesia, Africa and Asia. Thus the cocktails contain everything from the expected Cognac to Rye and Cachaca, and Tequila and Mezcal. And there are a couple of punches as well. 

Here's the list:

Americas:

Code Noir: Marriage of French Aromatic Pineau des Charantes and American Rye Whiskey. Peach bitters, angostura bitters, and lemon oil.

Napoleon’s Loss: Mexican variant of a modern classic. Anejo Tequila, Lemon Juice, Ginger-Agave Nectar, finished off with some smoky Mezcal.

The Pearl of the Antilles: Frances attempt to colonize South America with this Cachaca, Cane Syrup, Lime Juice, and muddled blueberry and cardamom.

French Polynesia/Pacific (Établissements français d'Océanie):

Rebel Yell: Jamaican Rum, House Made Orgeat, Fresh Lemon Juice, Apricot Liquor, and Angostura. Served with a large Mint Sprig.

Tahitian 75: Western style gin, blended with Fresh Lemon Juice and Hibiscus Syrup.

Topped with Dry Champagne and garnished with an edible flower

Colonial Vacation: Calvados, East India Sherry, Velvet Falernum, Fresh Lime Juice, and Demerara Sugar. Topped with Blue Mountain Coffee grinds and Whiskey Barrel Bitters.

Africa (Afrique occidentale française, AOF):

Foreign Legion Punch: Chai Red Bush Tea, VS Cognac, Fresh Lemon Juice,

Demerara Syrup, and some black cherry preserves. Topped off with a lemon wheel and Brandy Cherry

St. Louis Fizz: A combination of spiced rum, bourbon, spiced syrup, fresh lemon juice, and egg white.

Bang the Drum: Spiced syrup, Ramazotti Amaro, and VS Cognac. Finished off with a large orange peel

Asia:

Same Same But Different: Peruvian Pisco, Lemon-grass Syrup, Fresh Lime Juice, Ginger Juice, and egg white. Dusted with Chai Green Tea and Angostura Bitters

Halong Bay Cooler: Vodka, pear juice, fresh Lime juice, and Mint delight.

Saigon Folly:‘Tear-jerker’ pepper infused gin, lemongrass syrup, fresh Lemon juice, Creme Yvette, and soda.

Punches: 
Revelry Punch: Soothing mixture of Rye Whiskey, Yellow Chartreuse, Absinthe, Apple Cider, Lemon Juice, and Demerara. Topped off with a healthy dose of nutmeg and orange wheels

Pumpkin Patch Punch: Nicaraguan rum infused with pumpkin, fresh pineapple juice, Grapefruit juice, Sugar Cane, Pumpkin Allspice, Orange Juice, and finished off with Angostura bitters, grated cinnamon, and star anise

(Photo from Thrillist)