Elderflower cocktails

Employees Only | Yellow Jacket

When Jason Kosmas, the bartender and co-owner of this retro-classic speakeasy in the West Village, created the Yellow Jacket, his muse was not the delicate elderflower liqueur but rather Partida Reposado tequila, with its smooth, rich taste. “I wanted to create an original tequila cocktail that accentuated certain flavor notes in Partida,” says Kosmas. “I knew I could use the floral aromas of the St. Germain to retain the tequila's integrity while also giving it some sweetness.” Those flavors include a bright, citrusy nose and sweet, subtle floral notes from the St. Germain, plus a fiery spiced edge in the Yellow Chartreuse. “It gives it balls,” he quips. A dash of Regan’s orange bitters adds depth and bridges these flavors to round out this silky smooth cocktail. (Price: $15)

Verdict: 4 stars
A love of tequila is an obvious must. Still, the full-bodied smoothness of the Partida, rounded out by the sweetness of the elderflower and the spiciness of the Chartreuse, makes this a roller-coaster ride most anyone can enjoy.

Employees Only (510 Hudson St., 212-242-3021)