Patch Tastemaker: 'Garden Cocktails' Blogger Stacie Grissom

According to Stacie Grissom, no cocktail is complete without some help from the garden. And from the looks of her popular blog, Garden Cocktails, botanical elements and flower garnishes do seem to make for some fabulous craft cocktail recipes.

Grissom moved to New York City about six years ago and quickly fell in love with exploring innovative bars that showcase cocktail history and culture. In an effort to save money, she started taking a DIY approach to crafting cocktails, incorporating botanicals from her unique balcony garden into her delightful boozy concoctions.

Although she grew up in rural Indiana, she embraces New York City's vibrance and charm and people."Everyone thinks New Yorkers are crabby, but so many of them are passionate, curious, intellectual folks who want to find all the lovely things in the world."

When she's not tending to her garden or drinking on the balcony with her rescue pup, Pimm, you might find Grissom enjoying some Italian food at Sfoglia or viewing the Oceania exhibit in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Take a look at some more of her favorite spots around New York City, including where to get the best cocktail (her own backyard not included!):

Where were you born? I was born and raised in Indiana! I grew up in a small town south of Indianapolis with dogs and sheep and a big garden. I moved to NYC 6 years ago.

What neighborhood do you live in? I live in Yorkville on the Upper East Side. It’s definitely one of the hidden gems of the city. What the UES lacks in hip Brooklyn vibes, it makes up for it with parks and old charm.

What’s your occupation? I run the content team at BARK, the maker of BarkBox. I joined BarkBox six years ago as the third employee, and it’s been a wild ride watching the company grow from a one-room startup to a 400-plus employee business with over 700 thousand subscribers across the country.

Describe NYC in three words: Teeming, mashugana, spirited.

What’s your favorite overall NYC restaurant? My favorite restaurant is Alex Stupak’s Empellón in midtown. It’s the only thing I like about midtown, too.

Best sushi: Poke at 85th and 1st. It’s BYOB and they have a secret menu item called a “tuna bomb” that I dream about.

Best Italian food: I love Sfoglia at 92nd and Lexington.

Best dessert: Glaser’s Bake Shop, the 115-year-old bakery in Yorkville!

Best pizza: The traditional NYC pizza joints are never a mistake.

Best spot for a quick lunch: My favorite is a French/Malaysian place in Chinatown called Aux Epices. Their curry noodle dishes always hit the spot.

Best food truck: Smorgasburg

Best spot for a romantic date: My favorite thing to do is make a picnic and take it to Central Park. North of the reservoir there are some wonderfully uncrowded hills.

Best glass of wine: Snuck into the park with the picnic from above.

Best Sunday brunch: I don’t go out to brunch often because it’s an important routine at home with my husband. We make huge brunches on the weekend with bloody Marys or Campari spritzes.

Best spot for a power business meeting: My favorite lunch spot with coworkers is Jin Fong, a huge dim sum banquet restaurant where they wheel all the food by on carts!

Best cup of coffee: I love Maman in Chinatown.

Best craft cocktail: One of my favorites is Apotheke in Chinatown!

What hotel would you recommend for your out of town guests? I’m a big Airbnb fan. Whenever I travel I love having the full apartment for a real neighborhood feel.

Favorite shopping venue or boutique: I love hunting for things in Housing Works around the city. I also find amazing stuff at Beacon’s Closet and Buffalo Exchange!

Best spa: The only spa I’ve been to are the Russian & Turkish Baths in the East Village or a few spots in Chinatown.

Favorite charity event or organization: I am biased, but I love the Best Friends Super Pet Adoptions. I also love Social Tees Animal Rescue in the East Village because that’s where I got my dog, Pimm.

Favorite cultural event: Jazz Age Lawn Party

Favorite cultural institution: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

What’s the best museum or current exhibit in NYC? I love seeing the Oceania exhibit in the Met. I make handmade tiki mugs from clay and I love getting inspired from all the artwork in that section of the museum.

Best historic or iconic NYC landmark to see or explore: No one ever talks about the Irish Hunger Memorial downtown. I love taking guests there because it feels like you accidentally stumbled onto a hobbit’s shire. I also love Randall’s Island.

What’s your all-time favorite spot in New York City? My balcony and roof garden.

The best aspect of New York City is: The people. Everyone thinks New Yorkers are crabby, but so many of them are passionate, curious, intellectual folks who want to find all the lovely things in the world.

More guides from our New York City Tastemakers:

• 'Eating NYC' Founder Alexa Mehraban's Guide To New York City
• 'Mr Bing' Founder Brian Goldberg's Guide To NYC
• 'Big Mozz' Founder Matt Gallira's Guide to New York City

Image Credit: Stacie Grissom