Not Tonight, Dear…I'm Chilling with an Angry Lesbian...& Other Tasty New Organic Cocktails Recently Launched at NYC’s Counter Restaurant

Mention the words “organic" or “vegetarian” and visions of patchouli tend to jump to mind. Counter Vegetarian Restaurant and Organic Wine & Martini Bar in downtown New York’s funky East Village figured it was time to shake things up (so to speak) with a new menu of organic cocktails - featuring house-infused vodkas and fun names like “Not Tonight,Dear,” “Angry Lesbian,” “Tea & Intrigue,” and the “Cosmic Striptease.”

New York, NY (PRWEB) May 11, 2006 -- Mention the words “organic" or “vegetarian” and visions of patchouli tend to jump to mind. Counter Vegetarian Restaurant and Organic Wine & Martini Bar in downtown New York’s funky East Village figured it was time to shake things up (so to speak) with a new menu of organic cocktails - featuring house-infused vodkas and fun names like “Not Tonight,Dear,” “Angry Lesbian,” “Tea & Intrigue,” and the “Cosmic Striptease.”

And the New York Times recently concurred, hailing Counter as the "epicenter" of vivacious organic cocktailing.

“So many people are living a healthier lifestyle, but they still want to enjoy themselves. At Counter, I want people to have fun with their friends, eating and drinking – and enjoy the best quality cocktails,” explains Deborah Gavito, the owner of Counter. "We use only organic vodkas, which contain no pesticides, chemicals or anything synthetic. Because vodka can take on almost any flavor, we infuse ours with herbs, spices and flowers from our organic rooftop garden. Our cocktails contain no corn syrup – only fresh juices - so they’re clean and refreshing.”

The new cocktail menu came about after Gavito began infusing organic vodka with herbs, spices & flowers from Counter’s rooftop garden – located right around the corner from the restaurant. Each infusion was then crafted into a specialty cocktail with a fun & spicy name. “It all started with the herbs. We researched the history and lore of each one, and ended up writing little stories about each one, and of course, the fun cocktail names. It’s about time a vegetarian restaurant and cocktail bar dealt with those annoying negative stereotypes about organic and vegetarian – we’re all about eating, drinking…and being merry.”

Some of Counter’s new organic cocktails:

- ANGRY LESBIAN Tarragon-Infused Organic Vodka with Framboise, Young Ginger & Pineapple Nectar. The story: Greek goddess Artemis enjoyed - in no particular order - wearing decidedly non-ladylike gear, her young nymph companions, and hanging out in the mountains. When an unlucky hunter discovered her bathing, she transformed him into a stag & stood by watching as his own hounds tore him to bits.

- MARRIED IN A FEVER Red Wine, Poached Pear Nectar & Smoked Pear-Infused Vodka. The story: The Roman goddess Pomona was so obsessed with her orchards & pears, that in order to pique her interest, crafty Vertumnus, god of gardens & orchards, appeared in front of her completely nude...so she married him - on the spot.

- NOT TONIGHT, DEAR Junipero Gin, Sweet & Dry Vermouth & Fresh Raspberries. The story: Raspberries are believed to induce love, but be careful of hanging a branch too near the bed, unless of course you're wanting a young 'un.

- COSMIC STRIPTEASE A Gibson martini with Gin, Vermouth & a Cocktail Onion. The story: Egyptians swore oaths on onions, believing them to represent the universe. Heaven was thought to envelope the earth, and earth the nether world – and each layer peeled back to reveal yet another layer.

- DEEP THROAT Vermouth & Gin. What Nixon was rumored to be drinking when he resigned from office.

- XXX Made with Gin. “Mixed” just the way Marlene Dietrich liked it, with the word "vermouth" whispered over the drink as it is being made.

- THE DIRTIEST MARTINI A classic “dirty” martini with basil-infused vodka & olive oil. The ancients believed that basil could only flourish if planted while ranting & swearing.

ABOUT COUNTER RESTAURANT -- http://www.counternyc.com/

Located at 105 First Avenue (between 6th & 7th Streets 212.982.5870) in downtown New York's funky East Village, Counter specializes in French-Mediterranean vegetarian dishes -- beautifully presented -- served a chic, upbeat atmosphere. The only organic wine and martini bar of its kind in New York City, Counter’s customers can choose from over 150 organic and biodynamic wines, and a variety of house infused organic martinis and cocktails.

Counter is also dedicated to promoting sustainability, supporting small local organic farmers, and artisanal winemakers who eschew pesticides and practice earth-friendly viticulture. Check out the Counter blog -- http://counternyc.typepad.com/vegetarian/ -- for more on wine, food, sustainability and a series of innovative videoblogs on preparing & plating food, mixing up cocktails & insiders chats with organic & biodynamic winemakers.

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