Max von Essen at Bar Moxy (Photographed by Sean Tracy)

For Max von Essen, it comes down to two drink choices: “A dirty martini is for an energetic, playful night — a musical theater night,” he says. “A Manhattan is for when I’m seeing a play.” Von Essen recently joined the cast of “Anastasia” on Broadway, as Gleb, the conflicted Bolshevik general, and he posits that his character’s drink of choice would be straight vodka. “I imagine he takes a shot of Stoli many times throughout the day,” he says with a laugh.

Sitting at Bar Moxy, the unexpected gem in the hustle and bustle of Midtown, von Essen samples three cocktails. The South American Swag is his favorite, as it most closely resembles a Manhattan. The jewel box of a bar, on the second floor of the Moxy Hotel, is a nice escape pre- or post-show. “I will absolutely be back,” von Essen says. “The more I find places that I like, the more I find comfort and familiarity in the neighborhood.”

Got Moxy

1.5oz Bacardi Dragonberry
1oz Lime juice
1oz Black cherry puree
.5oz Agave

Add all the ingredients into tin. Shake until there is a light frost on the tin. Single-strain the ingredients into a highball glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a lime wedge.

South American Swag

1.5oz Diplomatico rum
.75oz Dry vermouth
.25oz Curacao
1 barspoon Powell & Mahoney True grenadine
4 dashes Bittermens Tiki bitters

Fill a mixing glass with rum. Add curaçao, vermouth, and bitters. Stir with bar spoon. Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice, and garnish with an orange slice and star anise.

Pink & Black

1oz Casamigos Blanco
1oz Lemon juice
1.5oz Owl’s Brew Pink & Black Mixer
.5oz Agave

Rim a copper mug with a mixture of black sea salt and pink peppercorn. Set mug aside, and pour Casamigos, lemon juice, Owl’s Brew Pink & Black mixer (Darjeeling hibiscus tea with strawberry and lemon) into a tin. Shake and strain into prepared glass over crushed ice. Garnish with a skewered strawberry.

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Max von Essen

Craft Cocktails with Max von Essen at Bar Moxy