8 Legendary Cocktails Inspired by the Spirit of New York City

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New York City stands as a cultural beacon, renowned for its influence across various domains, including mixology. The city has spawned numerous classic cocktails, with the Manhattan being the most iconic. This historic drink, crafted from rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and aromatic bitters, originated in the 1880s and has inspired a wealth of variations through the years.

Another noteworthy cocktail is the Brooklyn, which likely emerged shortly after the Manhattan, capitalizing on its popularity. This drink combines rye whiskey, dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and the uniquely flavored Amer Picon. Although Prohibition led to a decline in its popularity, the cocktail renaissance of the early 2000s revived interest, resulting in modern takes named after Brooklyn neighborhoods such as the Red Hook, Bushwick, and Greenpoint—all maintaining a base of rye whiskey, vermouth, and a bitters element.

Besides the Manhattan and Brooklyn variations, there are several other cocktails inspired by the essence of New York, including the Algonquin and Adonis. Understanding the history behind these classic drinks can enhance your next New York-themed happy hour with insights into eight iconic cocktails.

Manhattan

The Manhattan holds the title of the most recognized cocktail stemming from New York City, ranking among the world’s favorite whiskey drinks. This simple yet enduring combination of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters has led to countless interpretations, with its classic form enjoying renewed popularity.

Brooklyn

This classic drink from the pre-Prohibition era consists of spicy rye whiskey, dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and the bittersweet French liqueur Amer Picon. Given the difficulty of sourcing Amer Picon in the U.S., bartenders often substitute it with alternatives like Bigallet China-China Amaro or Ramazzotti, which offer similar flavor profiles.

Red Hook

Created in 2003 by bartender Vincenzo Errico at the acclaimed Milk & Honey bar, the Red Hook cocktail is viewed as a landmark modern classic inspired by the Brooklyn. This drink merges elements of both the Manhattan and Brooklyn, utilizing rye whiskey, maraschino liqueur, and Punt e Mes, a distinctively bitter-sweet vermouth.

Newark

While named after a New Jersey neighborhood, the Newark cocktail draws its influence from the Brooklyn. In 2007, Jim Meehan and John Deragon devised this drink for PDT’s autumn cocktail menu. It uniquely substitutes rye whiskey with overproof apple brandy, paying homage to the locally made Laird’s Apple Brandy. The recipe also replaces dry vermouth with sweet vermouth and incorporates Fernet-Branca as a substitute for Amer Picon.

Adonis

Named after a Broadway production, the Adonis is a classic aperitif from the 19th century. It elegantly combines equal measures of sherry and sweet vermouth, garnished with an orange peel. Although simple, this recipe, typically featuring fino sherry, can be adapted using amontillado or oloroso sherries for a richer flavor.

Bushwick

This modern classic, another contemporary riff on the Brooklyn, was born in 2009 when bartender Phil Ward crafted it for the inaugural menu at Mayahuel, his now-defunct bar in the East Village. Staying true to the original, the Bushwick combines rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and Amer Picon.

Algonquin

The Algonquin cocktail, named after the historic Algonquin Hotel in NYC, emerged during the post-Prohibition period. It features a trio of ingredients: rye whiskey, dry vermouth, and pineapple juice, delivering a drier taste profile enhanced by the use of high-proof rye and fresh pineapple juice without added sweeteners.

Greenpoint

Created by bartender Michael McIlroy in 2006 at Milk & Honey, the Greenpoint is another variation that pays homage to Brooklyn. This spirit-forward modern classic blends rye whiskey with Yellow Chartreuse, sweet vermouth, Angostura bitters, and orange bitters, resulting in a refreshingly complex cocktail.

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