[Photographs: Jessica Leibowitz]

"This isn't a secret bar," insists Jason Littrell of JBird Cocktails. But first-timers may have a bit of trouble finding this recently-opened Theater District spot past the velvet ropes of a club called XVI, down a hallway, up an elevator, past the XVI bar, through the door, and another door...You can ask anyone for directions, but you might want to write them down unless you have a really good memory.

Your journey is rewarded, though, with a comfortable seat on a leather couch overlooking the city and a serious cocktail list designed by Jason Littrell and Marshall Altier. The menu brings together unusual riffs on the classics, original creations, and a few recipes from star bartenders around the country.

The drinks are complex and well balanced, whether you go for a fragrant cardamom-spiked sour made with rum and apple brandy, a spirit-forward mezcal concoction that brings out the scent of sage, or a bourbon-based tiki drink served in a hollowed out pineapple. Here's a preview of five cocktails from JBird—along with the recipes to make them at home!

Check out the drinks in the slideshow »

Go straight to the recipes:
The Maddow »
Sadie Hawkins Sling »
Jbird Swizzle »
Brush of the Bush »
Everyman Afterall »

JBird Cocktails

251 W. 48th Street, New York, NY 10019 (near 8th Avenue, map);
jbirdny.com