Hot dogs are currently a hot trend in New York City, with the appearance of hot dog-themed items like ice cream, churros, and even a giant hot dog sculpture in Times Square. LilliStar, a newly opened rooftop bar in Williamsburg, is capitalizing on this trend by offering a unique hot dog cocktail called “Hot Doggin’ It.” The cocktail is a deconstruction of a ballpark hot dog, featuring Vida tequila, Lustau Vermouth, tomato water, mustard seed, and other ingredients. Despite sounding like an unusual combination, the drink has been well-received by customers at LilliStar.
Christine Wiseman, the beverage director for Bar Lab Hospitality, who created the Hot Doggin’ It cocktail, describes it as a well-balanced and delicious drink that incorporates the essence of a hot dog in a refined presentation. The gummy hot dog topping and aluminum foil wrapping add to the visual appeal of the cocktail. The unique concept has made the boutique hot dog cocktail one of LilliStar’s top-selling items, with customers intrigued by its novelty and playful presentation.
Hot dogs have been having a moment in New York City, with more artisanal versions of the classic treat appearing in upscale bars and restaurants. Wiseman notes that hot dogs are making a comeback in the city and are being incorporated into creative dishes and cocktails. The popularity of hot dogs is evident in popular culture, with references to them in TV shows like “Top Chef” and movies like the Oscar-winning film “Everything Everywhere All at Once”. The recent construction of a 65-foot hot dog sculpture in Times Square further emphasizes the prominence of this American favorite.
The inspiration for the Hot Doggin’ It cocktail came from a rooftop cookout in Williamsburg, where Wiseman was challenged to create a hot dog cocktail by her boss. She combined mustard seed-infused agave, mezcal, vermouth, sherry, and vinegar to create a drink that captures the essence of grilling and smokiness associated with hot dogs. While there is no actual meat in the cocktail, customers can enjoy a traditional hot dog served with a potato bun, red cabbage, and harissa aioli alongside the drink.
In addition to the Hot Doggin’ It cocktail, LilliStar offers a range of other food-inspired drinks for those looking for unique and creative cocktails. Options include desserts like the “Nana Pudding” cocktail made with Zacapa, D’usse, banana black tea, coconut foam, and a vanilla wafer, as well as savory options like the “Fried Pickles and Ranch” cocktail featuring Ilegal Mezcal, Aquavit, Fino, dill, coriander, and lime oleo. For those looking to share a drink, LilliStar offers a $350 communal cocktail called “Fun in the Sun” with Don Julio Blanco, chinola, salers, passion fruit, citrus, and Chinese 5 spice.
