How to Fake a Spring Getaway with a Cocktail and the Right Lighting
Designing a vacation-in-a-glass moment from your couch, your rooftop, or your favorite corner of NYC
Not every spring escape requires a boarding pass. Sometimes, all you need is the right cocktail, the right atmosphere—and a little imagination.
This season, Art of the Cocktail invites you to stage your own spring getaway without leaving the city (or even your apartment). With thoughtfully crafted drinks and strategic lighting, you can transform any space—your living room, your rooftop, your favorite corner bar—into an instant vacation.
Here’s how to do it—with the help of NYC’s best local ingredients, a few well-placed candles, and a little creative spirit.
Step One: Choose Your Dream Destination (or Vibe)
Before you mix a single drink, decide: Where are you pretending to be tonight?
The Amalfi Coast? Think sun-soaked citrus, Limoncello spritzes, golden light.
A Tokyo night market? Think shiso, matcha, highballs, soft neon hues.
Tulum beachfront? Mezcal, coconut water, and soft amber candlelight.
Provence garden party? Lavender, rosé spritzers, scattered votives under string lights.
Choosing your "destination" will guide your cocktail flavors, lighting choices, and even your soundtrack.
Step Two: Craft the Cocktail
A well-built drink can transport you faster than any passport stamp. Here are a few destination-inspired cocktails to fake your spring vacation at home:
Amalfi Afternoon
2 oz Limoncello
1 oz dry gin
Top with Prosecco
Serve over ice in a large wine glass with a lemon wheel and a sprig of mint.
Tastes like: Sunlight hitting white stone steps at noon.
Tokyo Highball
1.5 oz Japanese whisky (or a smooth bourbon)
4 oz sparkling water
Shiso leaf or cucumber ribbon garnish
Tastes like: Crisp city air just after the cherry blossoms fall.
Tulum Sunset
2 oz mezcal
1 oz coconut water
0.5 oz agave syrup
0.5 oz fresh lime juice
Tastes like: The first sip of night just as the fire pits are lit.
Provence Spritz
2 oz dry rosé
1 oz elderflower liqueur
Top with soda water
Garnish with lavender sprig
Tastes like: Linen shirts, wildflowers, and not checking your email.
Step Three: Set the Lighting
Lighting is your second ingredient.
For a coastal vibe: Use golden or soft white lights. Think floor lamps, fairy lights, or lots of unscented candles in glass hurricanes.
For an urban night market: Use small table lamps with colored bulbs—soft red, pink, or purple to mimic neon reflections.
For a jungle escape: Focus on low, warm light. Cluster candles in groups at different heights. Bonus points for leafy plants catching shadows.
For a garden party: Outdoor string lights or indoor faux vines draped across a mirror or window.
No overhead lights. Ever. Vacation energy is all about glow, not glare.
Step Four: Add the Finishing Touches
A few final details can push your staycation into true getaway territory:
Music: Match the mood. Bossa nova, Japanese lo-fi, indie French pop, or deep house depending on your “destination.”
Glassware: Use your best glass, no matter where you are. Vacation drinking deserves ceremony.
Scent: Light a candle that hints at sea salt, citrus, or fresh herbs—or burn a little palo santo if you're channeling tropical nights.
Want to Host a Full Spring Escape Without Leaving NYC?
Let Art of the Cocktail design your own Vacation-in-a-Glass Event.
We specialize in:
Custom cocktail menus inspired by global destinations
Pop-up mobile bars for rooftop, backyard, and in-home events
Mood lighting packages and atmosphere consultation
Professional mixologists who bring the storytelling to life
Seasonal garnishes, fresh herbs, and world-class hospitality
Perfect for birthday parties, corporate wellness retreats, or simply celebrating the fact that you made it through another New York winter.
Need the Perfect Venue to Stage It?
Partner with NYC Event Venues to find the dream setting—whether that's a private garden in Brooklyn, an artist’s loft in SoHo, or a rooftop terrace overlooking the skyline.
Morgan’s expertise ensures that the space, the flow, and the vibe align beautifully with your "getaway," while we handle everything behind the bar.
