You won’t need a cab to get you to this drink, the sweet and spicy Brooklyn Cocktail.
Out of all the New York City-based beverages that have greased the wheels of many a drinker and bar-goer over the decades, one drink in particular has a pretty varied “history”. While doing some digging for this piece, I came across a few different accounts.
One story that’s told of this drink’s invention takes place in 1908. Jacob A. Grohusko, who worked at Baccara’s in Lower Manhattan and then later opened his own establishment in 1910, first published a recipe for a cocktail called the Brooklyn in his book Jack’s Manual. While Grohusko was a Jersey boy living in Hoboken, his employer Victor Baccara was a Brooklynite, and many believe he requested the drink be named for his home borough.
Another tale involves an actor and playwright named Maurice Hegeman. Hegeman was a popular Broadway performer. Appearing in a number of musicals by the legendary producer Florenz Ziegfeld Jr., he also received much acclaim and attention as the lyricist and playwright for the stage show Gay New York in 1906.
But even a popular actor has to sometimes branch out into other endeavors in order to stay afloat, and Hegeman often worked as a bartender at the Schmidt Cafe on the Brooklyn side of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. While slinging drinks, he created his own one day, combining hard cider, absinthe and ginger ale. He called his concoction the Brooklyn; however, it didn’t really catch on.
Any cocktail that has been around as long as the Brooklyn is prone to alterations. The version of the drink we’re making tonight is very different from the one Maurice Hegeman created, and is often compared to another classic drink, the Manhattan.
What is the Best Alcohol to Use in a Brooklyn Cocktail?
When mixing up a drink as old-school and as elegant as the Brooklyn, you’ll want to find a rye whisky and dry vermouth that is in the same class. You don’t have to sell your house to acquire some really nice brands; in fact, many mid-shelf ryes and vermouths make for great cocktail mixers, even if they don’t lend themselves to being served neat. A spicy rye and herbal dry vermouth make for interesting dance partners.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces rye whiskey
- 1 ounce dry vermouth
- 1/4 ounce maraschino liqueur
- 1/4 ounce bitter aperitif or 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- 1 maraschino cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Combine the rye whiskey, dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and bitter aperitif (or aromatic bitters if substituting) in a mixing glass filled with ice.
- Stir the mixture gently until the outside of the glass feels cold, which usually takes about 30 seconds.
- Strain the chilled cocktail into a coupe glass that has been pre-chilled in the freezer for an extra touch of elegance.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry, either dropped in or skewered on a cocktail pick.
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
Chill a coupe glass in your freezer for about 15 minutes before you pour your Brooklyn into it. Garnish with a maraschino cherry for an extra note of sweetness.
Since all the ingredients are booze-based, yes, you can pre-make and store the Brooklyn in the fridge, sealed up tight, for a few days. Stir over ice before serving and garnishing.
This is a pretty light drink at only 140 calories, so have two.
The City That Never Sleeps has inspired many famous drinks, among them the Brooklyn and the Cosmopolitan, but it seems that the Manhattan still edges them out in terms of influence and celebrity.
Similar Drinks to the Brooklyn Cocktail
If classic, old-school cocktails are one of your favorite hobbies, look no further than right here to find some of the best. Twist & Toast has an awesome collection of drinks that have stood the test of time and survived through the years, keeping their history alive with every sip. Try out a few of the ones listed here, then explore the site for even more.
- Martinez – One of the original modern cocktails, the Martinez is often seen as the parent drink to the Martini and Manhattan.
- Sazerac – Often considered the first cocktail ever made, this New Orleans tipple is still very popular the world over.
- Gin Martini – This simple and iconic drink will elevate your evening with a brilliant combo of gin and dry vermouth.
- Manhattan – A perfect mixture of rye, sweet vermouth and bitters, the Manhattan has never gone out of style.
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