
As of mid-May, Governor Phil Murphy made New Jersey the 32nd state in the nation to allow restaurants and bars to temporarily sell cocktails to go. Not only that, but New Jersey distilleries are now also able to sell cocktails, as well as cocktail kits (that is, when they’re not too busy producing much-needed hand sanitizer).
Summer just got a little more fun now that you can order mixed cocktails instead of relying on cocktail kits. To give you a sense of what’s out there—and it’s a lot—here are five places in New Jersey doing different styles cocktails to go—there are tons more, check your local listings, and check when and how they prefer you order. Whether you’re sitting at the bar or ordering by phone, it’s always a good idea to keep your bartender in a good mood.
Sipping’ Summer in AC
It can still be a frosé kind of summer. In fact, not only does The Iron Room in Atlantic City have you covered, they’re doing even fancier frosé, with some herbal, floral St. Germaine and Aperol. Among other cocktails to go on their rock-solid cocktail menu are a lot of delicate (but not insubstantial) summer options, e.g. the Rosemary Palmer (with rosemary-infused black tea) and Blueberry Sage Lemonade (your choice of vodka or rum). One extra nice thing about The Iron Room is they rep local product a lot: their Local 609 G&T, which is made with AC-made Rusted Revolver “Indigenous Gin” (as in made with local botanicals), housemade rosemary-lemon simple syrup, and Fever Tree Indian Tonic and you can absolutely be sipping it poolside this week (you might just have to buy an inflatable pool). Call for curbside pick-up or local delivery. 609-350-6852
Take-Home Tiki in Roselle
If so-called tiki drinks are over-the-top, Lun Wah Restaurant in Roselle goes one better, with a hefty menu of some creative, and even modern, takes on Tiki. (Witness the now-deliverable Kalo hemp soda CBD-infused seltzer cocktails.) Those within delivery distance should rejoice that so much of Lun Wah’s liquid menu is now delivery-ready, and affordable: $12 buys you 16 ounces of Scorpion (rum, brandy, orgeat, and fresh juice) plus ice on the side, or you can bypass all that beach pass worry and just order the new Blue Island Water cocktail, with rum, coconut rum, blue curacao (where you get the ocean vibe from), fresh citrus, and lemon-lime soda. It comes with a 32-ounce Bounty Rum bucket for serving, so have your lawn chair ready to go. Order online Tuesday through Sunday, noon–7:45pm.
Craft with a Kick in Asbury Park
Now’s a great time to let the experts at Laylow exert their pent-up cocktail creativity via delivery (or pick-up). On the inaugural cocktails to-go menu are classics like the Negroni (which, like all the drinks on the menu, is enough for two), as well as house creations like the “Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magic”, an homage to the Red Hot Chili Peppers album that makes music out of an apparent frenzy of flavors—herbaceous gin, Genepy de Alpes (an herbal liqueur), fresh lemon and grapefruit juices, Champagne vinegar, Fresno chilies, and Demerara sugar. Simpler but still bold is the smoke and fruity-chili kick of “Jalisco is Burning,” with tequila, mezcal, Morita chipotle, fresh lime and sugar. You can also still get cocktail kits. Order by 8pm on Tuesday or Friday for delivery or curbside pick-up Wednesday and Saturday, respectively.
Fun Flavors in Somerville
Tapastre in Somerville is offering funky gastropub-style craft drinks: George on the Hudson is local whiskey, chai-infused sweet vermouth, and cinnamon bitters. There’s also something called the Manmosa: Redemption Rye, maple simple syrup, lemon juice, orange juice, and prosecco. Call 908-526-0505 to place your order from Thursday through Saturday, 4–8pm.
Adult Capri Suns in Morristown
Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen debuted a variety of to-go cocktails earlier this week, featuring a range of spirits—tequila, vodka, cachaca, bourbon and more. Sold in plastic pouches that resemble adult Capri Suns, they chilled cocktails are available in portions that serve two or four, ranging in price from $18-$20 and $32-$38, respectively. Check out the cocktails to go menu here. Call 973-644-3180 to order.