The Oxbow Inn, Piseco

We aren't snowmobilers. But, if we were, the Oxbow Inn in Piseco could easily be the designated last stop on the trail. They are open the latest, have great drink prices, and plenty of dinner and appetizer choices. Burgers are a notoriously popular choice. Mostly, though, they seem to be the hardest place to leave.

Like so many of the roadhouses tucked away in the Adirondacks, the Oxbow Inn is genuine and unapologetic, the interior pieced together with no particular theme in mind, spanning decades of decorative tastes. The veneer-topped bar is built on a glass block base, the floor is linoleum tile, and the walls are pine. A variety of memorabilia, humorous signs and beer advertising fill the walls and area behind the bar. A hand-painted saw blade depicts the old country inn in its serene lakeside setting.

Owned by Heather Sboto, the Oxbow Inn is one of the oldest establishments still in operation in Piseco (and Hamilton County), easily surpassing 100 years. Heather, as her youth will attest, has only been operating the bar and restaurant for four years, but seems comfortable in filling the shoes of Oxbow keepers past. With at least 14 seats at the bar, pub tables barside, plenty of dining in the back room in winter and on the deck in fair weather, the Oxbow is ready for any number of guests. As twilight fell on this warm March Saturday, there were perhaps 25 patrons refreshing themselves at the bar and several more in the dining room, though we're told the number would ordinarily be double that were the snow conditions closer to normal.

Though they offer no standard signature drink, a Shot of the Day can be found on the drink specials board on Saturday, along with several other creative suggestions. Our offer to invent a signature drink was readily accepted and quickly renamed from slammer to martini. The Oxbow Martini, comprised of orange vodka, cranberry juice and a splash of 7-Up, proved to be a tasty beverage worthy of the Oxbow name. If that doesn't appeal to you, Happy Hour specials offer $2.00 domestic beers from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and there are plenty of bottled and draft beers from which to choose.

Though a trendy stop on the snowmobile trail, the Oxbow Inn offers gorgeous deck views of Oxbow Lake that should not be overlooked. A game room featuring a wide variety of action can offer entertainment and shade in the summer or warmth in the winter. A jukebox played continuously and seemed willing and able to transition from rock to country music and back again. Cell service is sporadic, with Verizon reputedly outperforming AT&T.

The Oxbow Inn is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., with a later closing on Friday and Saturday as business demands. The Inn closes for two weeks around both Easter and Thanksgiving. The best time to visit the Oxbow Inn is any time of year. With direct access to snowmobile trails, it's winter headquarters for snowmobilers. Though we have only seen it in winter, the deck and lake views promise equal splendor in all seasons.

Recipe Night! Whiteface Sour

Apparently reviewing two bars this afternoon is not enough. Weary from our trip to Speculator and Piseco, we still had a need to concoct a new Adirondack-style beverage. In keeping with our goal to create drinks in tribute to the various high peaks, we present the Whiteface Sour.

First we must caution you that we are going to bring you through our thought process in developing this drink. Some of our readers just might not be ready to go there. If so, skip this paragraph and go straight to the recipe. Maybe inside our heads is not a place you want to go, but here you are, bypassing our warning. First thought: it has to be frozen, slushy, ice - hey let's use ice - ingenious! Next: it has to be white, duh! So, sweet white or sour white? Sour white because sour mix is white. Beyond: liquors have to be clear, in keeping with the white theme - yo! ho! ho! white rum 'tis - arrrrhh! Finally: let's sweeten our sour. We need flavor with a twist, and mildly sweet, oh yeah, and clear or white. Rummaging through the liquor cupboard, we find good ole triple sec (prevents scurvy, ya know - arrrrhh!).

We are going to ease you out of our mind gently. When you awaken, you will not remember a thing, but will feel like wearing a patch over one eye. How do you know a pirate from the Adirondacks? They wear a patch on both eyes! Sorry, you might remember that.

Whiteface Sour

3 oz white rum
1 oz triple sec
2 packets sour mix
2 oz water
generous portion of ice
mix in a blender and drink responsibly!

We wish you a very Happy Hour!

Cheers & Bottoms Up!
Kim & Pam