You know comfort food. Meet the comfort cocktail. And what could make you want to snuggle up to a rocks glass more than an adult beverage that is infused, garnished or otherwise crafted with Honey Nut Cheerios, Trix, Cocoa Puffs or similar breakfast nostalgia from childhood? The trend is said to have originated at the Manhattan East Village cocktail bar, Please Don’t Tell, which is accessed through a vintage phone booth in the hot dog joint next door. Now you can drink your breakfast in inventive bars and lounges across the nation. It doesn’t even matter if the cereal gets soggy.
21c Museum Hotel, Cincinnati, OH
This ultra-arty property, in a historic building in the heart of The Queen City, offers 156 guest rooms and Metropole restaurant, where The Cereal Killer cocktail wins rave reviews. It’s concocted with Cinnamon Toast Crunch-infused rum, Kahlua, Famous Grouse Scotch Whiskey, and apple pie and orange bitters—all strained into a rocks glass. Enjoy it at an event on the rooftop Cocktail Terrace.
Hotel Vermont, Burlington, VT
The most literal interpretation of the cereal craze is found at Juniper Bar in downtown Burlington, near the shores of Lake Champlain. Breakfast of Champions starts with a real bowl of fruit-garnished Wheaties, to which you add milk infused with local vodka and Vermont Ice Apple Creme liqueur from a cute little pitcher. Several event rooms are perfect for smaller gatherings after breakfast.
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Featured at Holsteins Shakes and Buns in this Vegas resort on The Strip, The Fat Boy is an over-the-top concoctioin of vodka, rainbow sprinkles, pretzels, micro jawbreakers, vanilla frosting, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, Butterfinger, Rainbow Twist Pop—and Froot Loops. This upmarket burger joint boasts an entire menu of “Bam-Boozled” shakes.
The Garland, North Hollywood, CA
The Jumpin’ Jack Flash at The Front Yard in this retro-chic hotel near Universal Studios plays up the cinnamon-apple combo with Apple Jacks, apple shrub, tequila and cinnamon syrup. Sounds like the perfect starter for a brunch in the brick-walled, light-filled private dining room that seats up to 20 guests. There’s also more than 20,000 sq. ft. of event space.
