Bottoms Up: Amanda Lepore’s Taste Test at Apothéke

New York nightlife sensation and David LaChapelle muse Amanda Lepore tipples some whimsical (and surprisingly healthy) concoctions from Chinatown’s exotic Apothéke den, adding new favorites to her already worldly palate.

STRAWBERRY FENNEL
Fennel-infused vodka with fresh organic strawberries, in a homemade Valencia orange essence.
“This is good, not obnoxiously sweet like a Sex on the Beach. It tastes fruity and tropical, like it’s good for you. I usually shop at health-food stores, and when I’m out and not celebrating with champagne, I’ll have vodka with club soda, a wine spritzer or water. This tastes really healthy. I’d drink this on a yacht, maybe.”

RHUBARB ROUGE
Homemade rhubarb-and raspberry infused Cachaça (Brazilian sugarcane based rum) with homemade hibiscus syrup, “a natural antidepressant.”
“I feel happy already… happy and horny. And I definitely taste the hibiscus, which is great, because I love flowers. This reminds me of getting flowers from an adoring gentleman. You should send a few glasses over to the guys at the bordello across the street.”

THE MARIE ANTOINETTE
Organic heirloom Muscat grapes with homemade elderflower syrup, vodka, fresh lime and rosé champagne.
“I feel like my hair’s getting higher! This is not like a Cosmopolitan—it’s like having a dessert with natural ingredients.”

LAVENDER FIELDS
Lavender-infused tequila with fresh lime and organic sugarcane.
“This is actually the best tequila drink I’ve ever had. It takes me to a wild party: people hanging from the chandeliers, Lady Gaga in concert, and a room filled with hot boys, beautiful girls, lots of gay guys and lots of celebrities. I’m really fond of lavender. As a kid, I always ate those lavender candies because they reminded me of eating perfume.”

THE HEMINGWAY SPECIAL
“A high-class mojito” with torn Israeli mint, homemade bitters, 12-year aged Guatemala rum and fresh lime juice.
“A mojito can be really refreshing, but it can also mess you up. I could see myself drinking these in Barcelona. I opened for Grace Jones there last summer. I drank Cristal with her. I don’t usually drink too much, but I’ll have a cocktail to celebrate or I’ll have tequila to stimulate. It’s not really a good idea to be teetering around in five-inch heels.”

THE MARGARITA
“Very high-end” tequila mixed with Grand Marnier, fresh lime and Himalayan rock salt.
“I’ve never been to the Himalayas, but I hiked in Hawaii when I was visiting David LaChapelle. Eventually, we got to the most beautiful beach, where I fantasized about doing a naked photo shoot—because I’m definitely a nudist, as you know—with diamonds, beautiful blond hair and pale skin on the black sand. Obviously, the ‘high-class aspect’ of this drink is appealing. Believe me, no one has ever offered to buy me a beer.”

Photography by Victoria Will