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My booster seat into the world of gin was a Negroni.  Now frequenting my shaker at home, I could hardly turn up the chance to imbibe upon finding that this classic Italian aperitif had taken root at Tivoli’s Madalin Table at the Madalin Hotel.

tivolians

Personalized by resident bear-tender, Daniel, the Tivolian is a scrumptiously smooth mix of classic Negroni spirits with the addition of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and an earthy-sweet infusion of ginger-thyme simple syrup.  To say that they go down as smooth as the bar’s ambiance is an understatement – especially at $8 each.  (fret not, if you’re looking for a fun night out on the cheap, they also have $3 pints of PBR on tap).

Madalin Table's resident bartender, Daniel

And speaking of the scenery, be sure to belly up to the bar for a story or two from the delightfully gregarious bartender, Daniel.  A graduate of Bard’s music program and lifetime resident of towns up-and-down the Hudson, Daniel’s theories on mixology revolve around the power of one thing:  freshly squeezed citrus.  Highlighted in his exemplary namesake Whiskey Sour, the bar’s rainbow of fresh cut ammunition is a reminder that even in the sleepy town of Tivoli, every Tivolian is something special.