8 months ago 44

The Chai Espresso Martini by Submercer

New York City has no shortage of excellent bars, but that doesn’t mean we’re not all ears when a new one opens up shop – or, in some cases, re-opens up shop. One of the latest is Submercer, which partiers of the nineties might remember as the SoHo spot (and yes, it’s still as hard to get into a couple of decades later).

Opened with the weight of Scott Sartiano and BOND Hospitality – AKA the team behind member’s club Zero Bond and Italian-American restaurant Sartiano’s – behind it, Submercer is nestled away in the basement of the Mercer Hotel with an invitingly intimate atmosphere.

[See also: The Azul Cadillac by Casa Bond]

Specifically designed to cater to smaller groups, Submercer has an intentionally low-key vibe. Don't expect big rowdy groups here; instead, it's a late-night place to retreat with your nearest and dearest, or for a cozy date. In the now-signature BOND Hospitality style, the drinks list is cocktail-heavy, with big-hitter labels mixed into inventive recipes. There are light bites too – and very fancy light bites at that: expect the likes of a full caviar service, truffle fries and dainty sliders.

To mark the return of a New York nightlife icon, we're sharing the recipe for one of Submercer's signature cocktails: the Chai Espresso Martini. This recipe is more labor-intensive than your standard espresso martini, but if you’re hosting, whip up a batch of the chai tea reduction in advance and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to make your cocktails – the final stage is an easy one.

[See also: The Best Hotels in NYC]