With a Miami launch at the MTV Video Music Awards last summer (entertainment by OutKast), you’d think that Grand Marnier’s Navan vanilla cognac might be just another gimmick aimed at the Pass the Courvoisier crowd. But the sophisticated liqueur, made with Madagascar vanilla and boasting a celebrity-mixologist endorsement (Albert Trummer, formerly of Town), is turning up in some surprising places—some of which don’t even own a velvet rope.
Little Giant
The signature dessert is a vanilla-ice-cream float for grown-ups: a scoop of Il Laboratorio del Gelato vanilla gelato, a spritz of cream soda, and a shot of Navan.
85 Orchard St., at Broome St.; 212-226-5047
Dévi
A slice of Navan-soaked Bosc pear garnishes a cocktail made from aquavit, pear cider, Poire William, and essence of ginger.
8 E. 18th St., nr. Fifth Ave. 212-691-1300
Frankies 457 Spuntino
Take your postprandial pick: coffee or hot cocoa spiked with Navan, or a twist on a brandy Alexander called, yes, the Frankies Alexander.
457 Court St., nr. Luquer St., Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn; 718-403-0033
Sapa
Trendy cognac meets trendy vodka. The house martini is a mix of Navan and Belvedere with a splash of Kahlúa for good measure.
43 W. 24th St., nr. Broadway; 212-929-1800
Kittichai
Trummer’s Hail a Yellow Cab: fresh pineapple purée, lime juice, dark rum, and Navan served in a martini glass.
60 Thompson St., nr. Broome St.; 212-219-2000