Gail Simmons's Favorite Cocktails
Strawberry-Lemon Mojitos
Strawberries sweeten these mojitos from Joaquin Simo of New York City's Death & Co.
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Thai Chile Bloody Marys
Jean-Georges Vongerichten serves zingy Bloody Marys spiced with a pureed Thai chile in place of the traditional Tabasco, giving the cocktails a subtle, fruity sweetness. Any mild hot red pepper will work.
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Sparkling Mojito
Making mojitos in a pitcher doesn't work—it's impossible to distribute the lime and mint evenly, plus the club soda tends to turn flat. Instead, muddle a large batch of mint, limes and sugar, then pour the mixture into glasses and top with ice, rum and club soda.
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Thai Boxer
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Zombie
As the story goes, Beaumont-Gantt created this potent drink in the 1930s and named it for its mind-altering effect after a friend consumed three of them. This lower-proof version is made with Velvet Falernum, an almond-and-lime-flavored liqueur that's a key ingredient in many tiki drinks.