On an afternoon trip to Hastings-on-Hudson to visit Clockwork Records, we happened upon The Mill. From the street, it looked like a place where we’d like to just sit and drink for hours. But since it was afternoon, we figured it was a bit too early to start drinking and made a note to return later that night (okay, the place wasn’t open yet, but still). So we returned at a more reasonable hour, and walking in, we were struck by The Mill’s Brooklyn hipster-type vibe—an urbane crowd, young and old, filled the quaint, dimly lit room, which featured intimate booths, high-top tables, and exposed-brick walls. Our favorite part about it, though, was the drink list. Aside from the 12 taps and 12 cans of beer on the menu, it has eight of the best-named cocktails anywhere in Westchester—names like Killer Bee, A Hipster Grows in Hastings, and Once Ritten Twice Rye. But it wasn’t just the names that got our attention—it was also the taste; we opted for a Sergeant Pepper (Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Fernet Branca, angostura bitters, lime, Dr Pepper, and a sour cherry), which, with a sour punch and rum kick, was perfectly sip-able. Between the small-label liquors and premium bitters, the drinks were definitely befitting of the whole hipster vibe. No, you won’t suddenly think you’re in Williamsburg, but it’s a start.
