JULY 2021 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 75
MAIN DISH
LA FIN
MONTAUK ESPRESSO MARTINI
BY CJ ARLOTTA
An espresso martini probably isn’t the first
cocktail that comes to mind when you’re
hitting Montauk this summer, but La Fin
Kitchen & Lounge’s take on a classic will
leave you with a different perspective.
“At La Fin, we try to be on the ‘cutting edge’
with our cocktail and beverage program,”
says Erin Swain, sommelier and beverage
manager at La Fin Kitchen & Lounge, a
French farm-to-table kitchen and lounge
situated on the docks of Montauk Harbor.
“What’s more, our owners care deeply
about using organic ingredients.”
That being said, La Fin uses Organic Krush
coffee in the cocktail.
“The coffee is freshly brewed and is a star
component of this cocktail,” she says.
Other ingredients in the cocktail include
coffee vodka, Tia Maria coffee liqueur,
Averna, Carpano Antica vermouth, and
simple syrup.
“We use Prairie Organic Vodka, along with
Tia Maria, a dark liqueur made in Italy with
Jamaican rum, vanilla bean, sugar cane,
and coffee beans,” Swain says. “It’s not as
sweet as Kahlúa and it balances well with
the other components of the cocktail.”
The Carpano Antica provides a “level of
sophistication and length on the palate,”
she says. “We also use Averna, an Italian
Amaro from Sicily, which has a slightly
bitter, caramel-flavor profile, that gives the
drink a bittersweet touch.”
“This turbo-charged cocktail has been
wildly popular with guests, especially at
the end of the night,” she adds.
Oh, and here’s an insider tip: The Espresso
Martini is technically an off-the-menu
selection item at La Fin.
Go ahead and ask for it when you dine with
them. You won’t be disappointed.
La Fin Kitchen & Lounge is located
at 474 W. Lake Dr. in Montauk. It
can be reached at 631-668-8344 or
lafinkitchen.com
La Fin’s Espresso Martini in Montauk
CRAFT DISTILLERY GUIDE
LIFTING LI’S SPIRITS Thirsty for something besides what
the local craft breweries or the
vineyards on the North Fork Wine
Trail are pouring? The region’s cup
overflows with a mouthwatering
variety of locally made craft spirits.
Now that’s something to celebrate
this summer. Cheers!
BETTER MAN DISTILLING CO.
The Better Man Distilling Co., located
in Patchogue, is Long Island’s first
urban craft distillery. At this distillery,
visitors can take advantage of a
mid-century modern tasting room
as well as an outdoor patio to enjoy
drinks and food. 161 River Ave., Patchogue.
thebettermandistillingco.com
BLACK MOMMA VODKA
Black Momma Vodka has an array of
enticing vodka tea flavors to choose
from. These flavors include Peach Tea
Vodka, Chai Tea Vodka and Pomegranate
Tea Vodka. This distillery also offers
mixers that are kosher certified, vegan,
and organic! The distillery is opening
a Black Momma Tea & Cafe this year
in Wyandanch for visitors to enjoy.
12 Colonial Springs Rd., Wyandanch,
blackmommavodka.com
GREENPORT DISTILLING & BAR
Patrons can select from wines and
spirits produced by the owners themselves
in the distillery’s tasting room.
Greenport distills spiced rum, bourbon,
vodka, gin, grappa, apple brandy,
and amaros. 211 Carpenter St.,
Greenport, greenportdistillery.
com
LONG ISLAND SPIRITS
Sip spirits in a tasting room
patio while grooving to live
music and grabbing eats from
the food truck. This distillery’s
award-winning spirits come in
rich tastes and innovative flavors.
LiV distills its own vodkas
and sorbetta liqueurs as well as
Deep Wells Dry Gin, Rough Riders
Whiskey and Pine Barrens
whiskey and gin. 2182 Sound
Ave., Baiting Hollow, lispirits.com
MONTAUK DISTILLING CO.
Take a jaunt to this distillery’s tasting
room, where guests can choose from a
selection of award-winning bottles of
spirits such as Bellamy Spiced Rum and
Black Sail Rum. In addition to new spirits
like Navy Strength Rum and Tunney
Bourbon Whiskey, Montauk plans to
offer Modico Vodka Hard Seltzer this
summer. 24 East 2nd St., Riverhead,
montaukdistillingco.com
SAGAPONACK FARM DISTILLERY
This farm is known for its critically
acclaimed potato vodka, wheat vodka,
rhubarb liqueur and more. One of Sagaponack’s
classics, Empire Rye Whiskey,
made from 100 percent estate-grown
rye and barley, has been produced at
the distillery three years in a row. The
distillery has an outdoor tasting room
as well as an indoor one with limited
seating. 369 Sagg Rd., Sagaponack,
sagaponackfarmdistillery.com
TWIN STILLS MOONSHINE
This moonshine maker is rated among
the finest spirit makers in New York.
Flavors include corn whiskey, maple
pecan, mixed berry, coffee and more.
Check out the website’s calendar for
live music and events. 5506 Sound Ave.,
Riverhead, liooldtymer.com
-Compiled by Selia Mercado and Maia
Vines
LI is home to seven distilleries. (Getty Images)
/lispirits.com
/lafinkitchen.com
/thebettermandistillingco.com
/blackmommavodka.com
/LONGISLANDPRESS.COM
/montaukdistillingco.com
/sagaponackfarmdistillery.com
/liooldtymer.com
