EXPERIENCE OUTSTANDING COCKTAILS IN A SPEAKEASY SETTING

HAMLET & GHOST

CRAFT COCKTAIL BAR – SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY

It was a beautiful summer night, the perfect opportunity to check out the new craft cocktail bar, Hamlet & Ghost. Nestled on the corner of Caroline Street, the notorious nightlife scene of Saratoga, this establishment emitted a sort of mystery, with a speakeasy feel. My guest and I stepped inside and were greeted by Brendan, the co-owner of the bar, who recommended a couple cocktails for us. As a cocktail expert, we welcomed his suggestions and ordered the Gin Gin Fizz, Matcha Do About Nothing, and Candied Bacon Skewers (who could say “no” to bacon?!).

The Matcha Do About Nothing combined singani pisco, matcha syrup (a green tea syrup), lemon, and prosecco. It was fruity and earthy with incredible depth and tasted almost margarita like. The Gin Gin Fizz had gin (of course!), ginger syrup, lemon, and grapefruit foam. I could have drank jugs of this, I loved it so much! On top of the drink sat a candied & dried lemon, creating a gorgeous presentation. The flavor was refreshing, and the ginger and lemon complimented each other beautifully.

To prepare ourselves for the rest of the cocktail tasting, we ordered their homemade naan & hummus platter, and “today’s tartine”, which was prosciutto, burrata, fresh tomatoes and avocado on top of a toast. The naan was homemade and had an incredible dipping sauce with balanced flavors of garlic and dill. We were extremely satisfied with the flavors in the dishes and happy to have our second cocktail because of them!

To close out the night, we ordered the Mai Tai and Pisco Punch. The Mai Tai featured Trinidad rum, Dominican rum, lime, cashew orgeat, and curacao. The drink was topped with fresh mint leaves. The aroma of the fresh mint enhanced the flavor of the cocktail before your first sip. While we were sipping on the Mai Tai, Brendan came over to tell us a bit more about our drinks. He said that the cashew orgeat is made in the kitchen over several days using cashew syrup and orange water. The time spent making the drink clearly shown through in the quality of the flavor! The Pisco Punch was topped with a skewered black cherry, giving the drink a James Bond like feel. The punch had encanto pisco, pineapple, lime, cocchi rosa, and bitters. It was fruity and delicious!

After a couple cocktail’s each we called it a night, however, we were extremely impressed with both the quality and the presentation of the drinks at Hamlet & Ghost. Definitely check them out if you’re in the area!

If you’re headed to Saratoga Springs, be sure to check out ExploreSaratoga.com and DiscoverSaratoga.org. They have ton’s of great suggestions on restaurants, things to do, and places to visit while you’re in town! It’s a great resources for travelers and locals alike. Happy travels!