The deeply-rooted connections between human and planetary health triggered the first-ever Earth Day in 1970.
Today, we must rise to meet these crises again as we celebrate 50 years of the modern environmental movement.
Our vision for change begins within our local community; simply welcoming others and sharing our values, goals, and objectives amid crises. Greenwich Village’s Osteria 57 follows a vision based upon the belief that our experiences which are tied to what we eat and drink, within a blissful atmosphere, can “facilitate and support the flourishing of our souls.”
Osteria 57 interior
Just steps below West 10th street, the charming Italian-inspired eatery proudly supports produce, seafood, wine, and spirits that are conscious of their ethical global and environmental impact. While pasta and seafood dishes are expected at most restaurants, Osteria 57 dives further in on ‘Fish & Vegetarian’ menu offerings—extending from vegetarian to vegan, gluten-free and pescatarian. Owner Emanuele Nigro is committed to sustainability, also a shared mission with executive chef Riccardo Orfino.
The main, meaningful bar encourages guests to sip ‘Cocktails for a Cause,’ an extensive cocktail program powered by mix-master, Wael Deek. The environmentally-friendly cocktail menu features various sweet and savory options that highlight select spirit brands dedicated to safe-guarding the planet through direct actions and global campaigns.
“It [Cocktails for a Cause] was something I wanted to implement as part of our brand ethos at Osteria 57, and my own personal perspective on serving spirits,” says Deek. Each cocktail is perfectly crafted to magnify brands that give back to a corresponding organization.
Elephant Gin Space for Elephants
The Negroni Bianco splendidly stands with Elephant Gin, a handcrafted London Dry Gin, inspired by Africa, but made in Germany; Suze Liqueur, Lillet Blanc, and celery bitters. Inspiring and botanically distinctive, Elephant Gin supports Space for Elephants—hence its name—where 15% of all profits help stop ivory poaching and protect elephants in Africa.
“Elephant Gin is my favorite spirit. We have developed a relationship with the brand founders, they’ve communicated with us fully on how they go around the root efforts in the organization,” Deek adds. Founders Robin Gerlach, Tessa Wienker, and Henry Palmer were equally inspired to produce a spirit after experiencing the African wildlife first-hand. Their vision was to launch a product that would help elephant conservation trusts, as nearly 35,000 elephants die annually due to uncontrolled ivory poaching – that’s one African elephant dying every fifteen minutes.
Noble Oak Bourbon One Tree Planted
The Noble Sour, as Deek describes fresh, sour, culturally-balanced, combines Noble Oak Bourbon, a reduction of Campari and Select aperitif, blood orange puree, fresh lemon juice, agave, and egg white; garnished with a caramelized orange peel and maraschino cherries – “a perfectly balanced, bourbon-based cocktail with an Italian flair.”
Backed by The Edrington Group, Noble Oak Bourbon aids One Tree Planted, a non-profit organization focused on global reforestation—every bottle plants a tree in a deforested area. Climate scientists have calculated that there is enough room on the planet for an additional 1.2 trillion trees to be planted, and that planting them would have huge benefits as they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. “The amount of carbon that we can restore if we plant 1.2 trillion trees, or at least all those trees to grow, would be way higher than the next best climate change solution,” mentions climate change ecologist, Tom Crowther.
Noble Oak’s efforts have spanned from the Redwood Forest in California, to Detroit, Michigan, to the Finger Lakes in New York, and everywhere in between. They continue to revitalize the earth, build communities, and of course, enjoy great whiskey (even during a taxing time).
Devastatingly, Osteria 57 had to cut operation costs due to COVID-19, furloughing all front-of-house staff members until further notice. They decided to remain open daily for take-out and delivery services—transforming the cozy eatery into an online marketplace, called Fatti in Casa for accessible fresh foods like handmade cheese, oils, sauces, and dry and freshly-pulled pasta noodles. Small proceeds go towards the food chain suppliers who plant and deliver the small items such produce that are vital to fueling Osteria 57. Liquor bottles, like Elephant Gin and Noble Oak Bourbon are available to purchase too, with proceeds going to its fitted, charitable organizations. “We would like to get everyone to stand together as one,” Deek concludes.
In the face of a challenge—that forces us to stay apart—we are driving dual crises to bring the world together this Earth Day.
Negroni Bianco
Negroni BiancoIngredients:
1 oz. Elephant Gin
1 oz. Suze Liqueur
1 oz. Lillet Blanc
2 dashes Celery Bitters
Preparation: Combine ingredients in a mixing glass Stir and strain into a Nick & Nora glass, and garnish with baby breath in the glass.
Noble Sour
Noble SourIngredients:
2 oz. Noble Oak Bourbon
½ oz. Campari and Aperol reduction
½ oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
½ oz. Agave
½ oz. Blood Orange Puree
1 egg white
Preparation: Combine ingredients in a canister and dry shake, then add ice and shake again. Strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass, and garnish with orange skin and cherry.
