Inaugural NYC Cocktail Week Kicks Off Wednesday

By Selena Ricks-Good

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- You've heard of New York Restaurant Week, but how about NYC Cocktail Week? Tempting you to try new drinks and new bar scenes, the inaugural NYC Cocktail Week kicks off Wednesday night.

Held through June 29 at 16 select venues around town, guests can sample two cocktails and an appetizer for $20.11 during happy hour and late-night. Considering that bespoke cocktails usually cost between $12-$16 each in the city, this is quite a deal. Don't worry about providing a secret password or discount code--all you have to do is ask for the Cocktail Week menu.

Sponsored by Liquor.com,the list of participating venues includes: Employees Only, Macao Trading Co., Pegu Club, 1534, Clover Club, Ward III, Rum House, Pranna, Lani Kai, Death & Co, Fort Defiance, Red Rooster, Daddy-o, Vandaag, La Biblioteca, Respite and Rye. Some restrictions apply--for more information, visit liquor.com/nyc-cocktail-week.

Need further encouragement to imbibe? A portion of proceeds from the event will benefit City Harvest's efforts to fight hunger and The Museum of the American Cocktail's preservation of cocktail history.

Here's a sample of what you'll be drinking:

Bashful Maiden at Macao Trading Co.
1½ oz. Tanquerey Gin
¾ oz. Velvet Falernum
½ oz. St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
¾ oz. lemon juice
1 oz. cantaloupe melon puree

Directions: Put all ingredients into a mixing glass. Add large, cold ice and shake vigorously for 7-8 seconds. Strain into a chilled martini-cocktail glass and garnish with a spanked mint sprig.