If you’re like us, you’re on the edge of your seat waiting for February 11th and the return of New York Fashion Week. From the iconic mainstays to exciting up-and-coming designers, we can’t wait to experience the celebration of the future of fashion, even if some of us are still rocking sweatpants on the couch. Steven Kolb, the chief executive of the CFDA told Vogue, “The American fashion industry has shown great resilience during this difficult time. As the Omicron variant continues to present challenges at every level, I am looking forward to seeing the ways in which designers continue to present their collections in creative, innovative ways with an eye to the safety of all fashion week stakeholders.”
If you can’t make the shows you can still get a taste of the runway with these three designer cocktails. These drinks recipes are inspired by last fall’s New York Fashion Week and the Spring/Summer collections of three of fashion’s most sought-after designers: Carolina Herrera, Elena Velez, and Anna Sui. Mix them now for a taste of the excitement to come!
Image courtesy of Carolina Herrera
Spring/Summer 2022 Carolina Herrera
Inspired by this stunning floor-length red gown, this ravishingly red cocktail will make a statement just like this eye-catching look from the Spring/Summer 20221 runway show. Match the look and the cocktail with a bold red lip and you will look like a model sipping this drink.
Ingredients
1½ oz mezcal
¾ oz of grapefruit juice
½ oz lime juice
Hot honey
Ruby red edible glitter (optional)
Grapefruit slice for garnish
Method
Combine the mezcal, grapefruit juice, and lime juice in a shaker. Add the hot honey to taste (we added a teaspoon) and the red edible glitter and shake over ice. Strain into a glass of your choice, garnish with a grapefruit slice and enjoy this fiery red mixed drink.
Image courtesy of Rinascita Elena Velez
Year Zero — Rinascita Elena Velez
This cocktail was inspired by the avant-garde runway looks of their Year Zero — Rinascita Spring/Summer 2022 New York Fashion Week presentation. The Milwaukee-based label explored the duality of enclosure with signature browns, blacks, and neutrals which come to life with this Rum Coconut Tea.
Ingredients
1½ oz spiced rum
3 oz cold brew black tea
⅓ oz lime juice
1 oz coconut milk
½ oz sweetened condensed milk
Nutmeg
Lime zest
Method
Combine the spiced rum of your choice, cold brew black tea, lime juice, coconut milk, and condensed milk in a glass over ice and stir until combined. Pour into a glass over ice. Sprinkle the top with grated nutmeg and lime zest to garnish and serve. Pair your envelope-pushing look with a cocktail as powerful as you are.
Image courtesy of Anna Sui
Spring 2020 Ready-to-Wear — Anna Sui
Delicate florals and soft pink escapism dominated Anna Sui’s 2020 Spring show and were the inspiration for this clover club. Modeled after the whimsical femininity of the flowing skirts and light designs this cocktail is frothing with sweetness just like these dreamy pieces in this diverse runway show.
Ingredients
¾ oz raspberry syrup
¾ oz lemon juice
½ oz Lillet Blanc
1¾ oz gin
1 egg white
Edible flowers
Raspberries
Method
Combine raspberry syrup, lemon juice, Lillet Blanc, gin and egg white in a shaker. Dry shake (without ice) until frothy. Add ice and shake again. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Top with a few fresh raspberries and edible cocktail flowers and float through fashion week with this ethereal drink.