After USA TODAY named Goodnight Kenny one of its 38 USA TODAY Bars of the Year for 2026, we knew we’d want to celebrate with a cocktail.
So we asked the owners for a recipe.
It’s this bar’s day-one drink, created by co-owner Davina Thomasula and based on a rumor that Eleanor Roosevelt used to grab a drink in a bar that used to be in the same building. There are even locational ties to corroborate the rumor, with the Eleanor Roosevelt and Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Sites just a town away in Hyde Park.
Thomasula ran with it, creating a sophisticated, bright and bubbly beverage — her vision of what Eleanor would drink on a summer day. The original recipe calls for grapefruit cordial, but Thomasula suggests grapefruit juice or fresh squeezed grapefruit when making it at home — the cordial can be tough to find. You can also swap out the vodka for gin or maybe even tequila in this versatile cocktail.
Buy the book! Shake & Sip: Recipes from the best bars in America
Good Enough for Eleanor
Read more about Goodnight Kenny, including its back story and advice on other great cocktails to order.
1 ounce organic vodka
½ ounce Lillet Blanc
½ ounce lemon juice
½ ounce grapefruit juice
¼ ounce honey
Prosecco, to top with
Lemon wheel, for garnish
Into a shaker filled with ice, pour in all the ingredients except the prosecco and garnish.
Give it a quick shake for five to seven seconds.
Strain into a rocks glass, over one large ice cube.
Top with prosecco and garnish with the lemon wheel.
Serves: One drink
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: This Poughkeepsie cocktail has a legend behind it. How to make it
Reporting by Nickie Hayes, Poughkeepsie Journal / Poughkeepsie Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Nickie Hayes, Poughkeepsie Journal | USA TODAY Network
