New York Shrub

To make simple syrup, combine 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Cool before using. Simple syrup will keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Man About Town

This cocktail from Gramercy Tavern in NYC is a take on a Boulevardier (which is like a Negroni, but with bourbon instead of gin). Here, however, spicy rye is the star, complemented by the bittersweet Sicilian amaro, Cynar.

Nacional

Riffing on the classic Hotel Nacional cocktail, which uses apricot brandy for a touch of fruity sweetness, Morgenthaler introduced Fee Brothers Peach Bitters to the mix--and it raises the refreshment bar while tossing in another layer of flavor complexity.

Bramble

As gorgeous as it is delicious, with blackberry liqueur slowly seeping into every sip.

Knickerbocker

The Knickerbocker dates to at least the 1860s, when it made its print debut in the first known bartending manual, penned by Jerry Thomas. The recipe called for "Santa Cruz rum," or rum from St. Croix in the Virgin Islands, along with lime juice and sweetener in the form of raspberry syrup and curacao, and garnished with berries in season.

Southern Baptist

Sother Teague of Amor y Amargo in NYC shared this rye cocktail with us, and it's a winner, spicy with lots of fresh ginger and bright from a bunch of fresh lime.

Frisco Sour

A complex rye cocktail in which Benedictine plays a small but delicious role, the Frisco Sour marries the spiciness of rye to the sweet herbal qualities of Benedictine. But because Benedictine's sweetness can so easily overpower other ingredients, it's held in check here by lemon juice. In this dry, bracing drink, rye takes the forefront.

Blonde Redhead

This cocktail, created by Douglas Derrick of Ava Gene's in Portland, Oregon, is a masterful combination of just three ingredients: spicy whiskey, luscious vermouth, and complex Barolo Chinato, a bittersweet, herb- and spice-dosed digestivo made from one of Italy's best wines. The result is chocolaty, smooth, and deep. Though it's in the same family, it's subtler than a Boulevardier.

Nouveau Carré

Inspired by the New Orleans classic Vieux Carre, the Nouveau Carre adds a couple of tweaks to the recipe, not only substituting anejo tequila (or anejo sotol) for rye and cognac, but swapping the original's sweet vermouth for the light orangey brightness of Lillet.

New York Sour

This simple twist on the whiskey sour made the rounds for several decades during the late 19th century under an assortment of names. A base of American whiskey (rye is the desired variety here) is fleshed out with a little fresh lemon juice and smoothed over with a touch of sugar; the crowning touch comes with a float of dry red wine.