Ruddy Alvarez, owner and bartender at Circa Restaurant, is 2025 Hunterdon Happening List® Best Bartender. Circa is a little American bistro housed in a 175-year-old historic building at the center of High Bridge.
At Circa, Ruddy and his team come up with unique and delicious drink recipes made with all fresh juices. Ruddy and staff member Sylvia Mahon have shared with us a couple of cocktail recommendations for the upcoming summer that you can enjoy at home with the recipes below.
Ruddy Alvarez and Sylvia Mahon
For the past several years one of Circa’s most popular drinks has been the Lemon Basil Martini. It’s a classic and refreshing drink, great for relaxing after a hot day.
Circa’s Lemon Basil Martini
- 2 oz Vodka or Gin
- 1 oz Simple Syrup
- 1 oz Lemon Juice
- A splash of water
- Add Basil and Shake
Circa will celebrate their 20th anniversary in November. Meanwhile, there are fun events every week with open mic night on Thursdays, live bands on Fridays, special events like Reggae Night, and ways to get involved with the local community like High Bridge Paint Out. Be sure to stop by this Summer!
Another hand-crafted summer drink that you can find at Circa or make on your own is this beautiful purple drink called the Tropical Flowers.
Tropical Flowers
- 2 oz White Rum
- 2 oz Pineapple Juice
- 2 oz Hibiscus Tea
- 2 Teaspoons of Coconut Cream
- A handful of hibiscus leaves, cinamon, and sugar to taste
- Shake and pour over ice
Circa sits at 37 Main Street in High Bridge.
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