A new bar in the lower east side of New York City called Reception Bar is making heads turn for its creative drinks with traditional Korean ingredients.
According to Grub Street, the owner Katie Rue hardly speaks the Korean language and is twice removed from her Korean heritage. Yet, this did not stop the 27-year-old from making Korean inspired alcoholic drinks.
These are not the typical drinks found in Korea. Rue really experimented with different recipes to show the culture in a different way. One drink called the Lotus Breeze is mixed with soju and chrysanthemum tea and infused with lotus flowers. Another called Ink is a black cocktail with black sesame infused soju, ink from squid and topped with cinnamon.
“My drinks don’t follow industry rules or standard measurements, but it works because what I’m trying to do isn’t something you can find in a classic cocktail book,” says Rue.
The bar’s aesthetic also celebrates her Korean background, according to Healthyish. The round doors imitate Korean garden gates and the prints wrapping the menus and matches are designed with Korean vintage postage stamps.
Rue tries to keep the food at Reception Bar simple. Some menu options include rice cakes, fish cakes and Korean porridge.
The bar is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 6 p.m. to midnight.
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