Would you like that shaken or stirred? Kellyann Coyle and Brian Sedita are mixing Broadway-inspired cocktails to share a taste of Broadway with the theatre community.
Together, as a blend of their shared passion for theatre and bartending, they launched Broadway by the Glass in October 2020 to share their custom cocktail recipes.
But this was no unlikely pairing—Coyle and Sedita are childhood friends, growing up together in a small town in New Jersey. Now, they both live and work in New York City. Coyle is an NYC-based musical theatre performer, and Sedita co-hosts the podcast Page to Stage with Mary Elizabeth Dina.
The tradition of drinking cocktails has long been a part of the theatre-going experience. Today, Broadway theatres are known for creating fan-favorite recipes in the spirit of the show currently playing.
“If you look at the history of American cocktails, and where it all started, Broadway has had so much influence on that,” Coyle said. “Many American cocktails were created in New York City for Broadway shows. It’s so interesting how those two worlds really have always intertwined.”
Broadway by the Glass is expanding on that concept. Coyle and Sedita share their recipes on social media, bringing the cocktail experience to the homes of Broadway lovers.
While many are still stuck at home in the COVID-19 pandemic, Broadway by the Glass strives for recipes that are easy to replicate using minimal bartending gadgets and spirits that are easy to obtain.
“That’s probably my favorite part is when people send us either a DM or post on their story that they made one of the recipes that we made or posted on our account,” Sedita said.
Coyle said the response to their recipes has been part of what has been most interesting in establishing the brand, and seeing what shows or what recipes resonate with their followers.
Where does the inspiration for these cocktails come from? Coyle said just about any aspect of a show. When creating the drinks they look for inspiration in the elements of the piece, including using liquor from the setting location of a show, or putting their own spin on a drink featured on stage, like their recent “Oz’s Sour Green Elixir,” inspired by Wicked.
Broadway by the Glass is also sharing (virtual) drinks with weekly happy hours and sharing drinks with Broadway stars. They recently mixed a recipe for “Fairest of the Fair,” inspired by the character of Katherine Howard in Six, with Samantha Pauly (Six) on Instagram live. Other recent recipes have included a Spring Awakening-inspired “Sip of Purple Summer,” and a Fiddler on the Roof-inspired “Match(a) Maker! L’Chaim!!”.
Every Thursday they host a happy hour on Clubhouse, the emerging platform for Drop-in audio chat.
With so many cocktails, what is the bartenders’ choice?
For Sedita it’s his “Belle’s Berry Tonic” recipe, inspired by Beauty and the Beast.
Coyle, on the other hand, has found a new favorite in her recipe “She Loves Christmas!,” which was included in their 12 Days of Christmas series.
Like many in the theatre community, Broadway By The Glass is looking forward to Broadway reopening and a time we can share drinks together in person. Coyle and Sedita eagerly await the opportunity to create cocktails for opening night parties, or even Broadway theatres themselves once it is safe to gather together again.
Until the curtain rises, keep up with Broadway by the Glass on Instagram and TikTok @bwaybytheglass, and Kellyann Coyle at @kellyanncoyle and Brian Sedita at @briansedita or @PagetoStagePodcast.
The Broadway Edit 