1. Ice brewed coffee. The people go crazy over this.. and understandably. When it’s 34 (or 93 fahrenheit in American) degrees in the morning and you are still craving that little pick me up but the thought of consuming a hot beverage makes you feel slightly ill… this is the answer to your dreams. It’s cold, it contains caffeine and it’s not coke-a-cola! Yes please! I can’t believe that the cold brewed coffee phenomenon hasn’t hit Australia yet? Only a matter of time!
2. Dunkin Doughnuts. It still baffles me why anyone would want to go into one except to use the bathroom or cashpoint.
3. Starbucks. Again. They really do love their sugary, weak, mass produced milky beverages and reheated dry year old cakes.
4. Beer and a shot of whiskey. Brilliant idea I say. You can usually pick get this winning combination for $4 during happy hour or $8 at a club. Honestly- a beer in a can and a shot of whiskey for $4… you’d be loosing money if you didn’t get it.
5. Frozen margaritas. I think I’ve consumed more tequila and bottled margarita mix in the last month of summer than I have in my whole life! For this I thank spending most Saturday’s in McCarren park in Brooklyn with a huge styrofoam cup of frozen margarita purchased from the local pub- The Turkeys Nest ($6 for a small or $10 for a giant one that will either put you in party mode or put you to sleep!).
6. Pickles. Yum. I have no qualms with this. I’m a huge pickle advocate. It’s one of my favourite afternoon snacks. I really enjoy the jalapeno infused ones… my favourite place to visit is the stand on 6th ave at West 3rd st.
7. Tacos… especially fish tacos. Everyone loves them over here. And as an ambassador for purely meat tacos, I can say that fish tacos are equally as delicious.. a nice fresh option- and it means you can eat 3 and still go out and not feel as though you are carrying a small mexican child around with you on the dance floor. There are as many places to buy tacos in New York as there as beer I would think. My favourites are La Esquina or from a little place I discovered in the East Village called ‘Cowgirl’s Baking‘ $3 for 2 delicious, organic fish tacos.
8. Chocolate coated pretzels. Yes please. Especially dark. The salty chocolately goodness will rock your world!
9. Drinking anything out of a jam jar. Beer, whiskey, juice, tea, water. You name it, guaranteed it will come served in some form of recycled jam jar. My most memorable jam jar beverage is from Five Leaves in Brooklyn- 10 different types of whiskey together- served over ice. Delicious.
10. Oysters. East Coast vs West Coast. Nearly every good seafood bar/ restaurant does an ‘Oyster happy hour’ where Oyster’s are $2-3 each. Generally speaking East coast oysters have more of a briney to their flavour, while West coast oysters are slightly smaller with a sweeter flavour. I still need to hit a few more happy hours before I decide which I prefer. I recommended happy hour at the Mermaid Inn.