Brooklyn
A dry, rye-forward Manhattan cousin accented by bitter orange and a whisper of maraschino. Silky, urbane, and firmly aperitif.
History of Brooklyn
Brooklyn belongs to the family of New York borough cocktails, a set of early 20th-century drinks that orbited the Manhattan. Its first printed appearance is usually credited to the 1908 edition of Jack’s Manual, though like many classics, precise authorship is murky. What we do know is that it anchored rye whiskey with dry vermouth, Amer Picon, and maraschino. Amer Picon’s changing availability and strength led to decades of inconsistency. Bartenders adapted with other bitter orange liqueurs and select amari, shaping the drink’s modern profile. The result is a cocktail that feels historical yet flexible, depending on what bitter you choose. The Brooklyn’s lean, bracing character suits the aperitif slot. It speaks to a time when vermouths were drier and palates favoured snap over sweetness. Today it remains a bartender’s favourite for guests who love a Manhattan but want something more citric and bitter.
Why the Brooklyn Works
Rye whiskey brings spice and structure, setting a dry, peppery baseline. Dry vermouth lightens the body and reins in sweetness, keeping the finish crisp rather than lush. A measured touch of maraschino bridges fruit and floral notes without turning the drink sugary. The bitter orange element, traditionally Amer Picon, adds bite and a pithy citrus lift. It slots between rye spice and maraschino perfume, tightening the mid-palate. Stirring with cold, hard ice creates a clear, silky texture and ensures the right dilution window. Expressed orange oils reinforce the cocktail’s citrus theme while sharpening aroma on the first sip. The balance hinges on restraint: small increments of liqueurs shift the profile quickly. When proportioned well, the Brooklyn feels composed, urbane, and refreshingly dry.
Should You Mix Ahead?
The Brooklyn batches well for parties because it is fully spirituous. Combine the rye, dry vermouth, maraschino, and bitter orange component in a bottle, then add 15–20 percent chilled water by volume to account for stirring dilution. Keep the batched blend sealed and refrigerated for up to a week; the vermouth prefers cold storage. For service, pour straight from the fridge into a chilled glass and finish with a fresh orange twist. If using a particularly bold amaro as the bitter element, start with a lighter hand in the batch and adjust to taste. Bitterness can bloom over time in bottle, so taste a small test mix a day in advance if possible.
Food & Snack Pairings
Salty, fatty snacks flatter the Brooklyn’s dry, bitter-orange snap. Try hard cheeses, roasted nuts, and cured meats where the rye’s spice cuts through richness. Citrus-marinated olives also mirror the twist and lift aroma. For something more substantial, roast chicken, grilled sausages, or a mushroom tart match the cocktail’s savoury lean. The drink’s dryness refreshes without clashing with herbs or peppery crusts. Avoid overly sweet glazes that might push the balance off. Finish with a square of dark chocolate or an orange-scented biscuit. The pithy bitter note and maraschino whisper sit nicely beside cacao. Keep desserts restrained in sweetness to maintain the aperitif feel.
How to Make Brooklyn
Chill a Nick and Nora or small coupe ahead of time to keep texture sleek. Measure precisely: small changes in maraschino or bitter orange liqueur swing the drink quickly. Stir all ingredients with plenty of cold, hard ice until the mixing glass feels very cold. You are aiming for clear, glossy texture and roughly 20–25 percent dilution. Strain into the chilled glass, then express an orange twist over the surface to lay down aromatic oils. Discard or drop the twist according to preference; either way, keep the nose citrus-forward.
When to Serve
The Brooklyn shines as an aperitif before dinner, especially in cooler months when rye spice feels comforting. Its dryness wakens the palate without weighing it down. Serve at early evening gatherings or smart cocktail hours where stirred classics are appreciated. It suits intimate settings and small parties where measuring and stirring can be part of the moment. In summer, keep the glassware extra cold and the batch refrigerated to preserve snap. Autumn and winter are its natural home thanks to the bitter orange and peppery rye.
Common Mistakes
Overpouring maraschino makes the drink cloying. Keep it to a quarter ounce and adjust by drops if needed.
Under-dilution or over-dilution both harm texture. Use plenty of dense ice, stir until well chilled, and taste a small spoonful to check balance before straining.
Warm glassware dulls aroma and feel. Always chill the glass and express a fresh orange twist; bottled orange oils or pre-cut peels won’t deliver the same brightness.
Recommended
Best vermouth for Brooklyn
Choose a dry vermouth with a crisp, herbal profile and good acidity. Freshness is critical; oxidised vermouth will flatten the drink and mute the finish.
Best amaro for Brooklyn
The traditional bitter orange note can come from a Picon-style liqueur or a balanced amaro with pronounced orange peel. Aim for pithy bitterness rather than heavy sweetness.
Best whiskey for Brooklyn
Use a rye-forward whiskey with clear spice and enough proof to carry the modifiers. A softer style will taste pleasant but can fade against the bitter orange element.
Best liqueur for Brooklyn
Maraschino liqueur is powerful and aromatic; it should read as a whisper, not a headline. Keep it to a quarter ounce for lift and a faint almond-cherry perfume.
Taste Profile
Ingredients
Instructions
Chill the glass
Place a Nick and Nora in the freezer or pack with ice and water to chill thoroughly.
Build in mixing glass
Add rye whiskey, dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and bitter orange liqueur to a mixing glass.
Stir to chill and dilute
Fill the mixing glass with plenty of cold, hard ice and stir until very cold and glossy, about 20–30 seconds.
Strain
Dump the chilling ice from the glass and fine strain the cocktail into it for a pristine texture.
Garnish
Express an orange twist over the surface to release oils, then garnish.
Bartender Tips
Mind the maraschino
Keep the maraschino to a strict quarter ounce; any more quickly dominates and turns the drink sweet.
Keep vermouth fresh
Store dry vermouth in the fridge and use within a month of opening to avoid dull, papery notes.
Choose dense ice
Use large, hard cubes to control dilution and achieve a clear, silky texture after stirring.
For a zero-proof Brooklyn, use a rye-style non-alcoholic spirit as the base to preserve spice and structure. Pair it with a dry-style non-alcoholic vermouth alternative to keep the finish crisp. Replace maraschino liqueur with a light maraschino syrup, and use a bitter orange aperitif syrup for the Picon element. Because these substitutes are often sweeter than their spirited counterparts, stir longer over plenty of ice to increase dilution. You can also add a barspoon of chilled water to tighten the profile. Taste and adjust the bitter orange syrup drop by drop until the pithy note matches the aroma of the orange twist. Garnish as you would the original with an expressed orange twist. Serve in a well-chilled Nick and Nora to keep texture sleek. Expect less length on the palate, but the structure, aroma, and citrus-bitter spine can still shine.
Similar Drinks
Frequently Asked Questions
What rye and modifiers work best in a Brooklyn?
Choose a spicy, robust rye to anchor the drink, as it needs backbone against dry vermouth and bitter orange. Use a quality dry vermouth kept refrigerated, a restrained maraschino, and a Picon-style bitter orange liqueur or a balanced amaro with orange peel notes.
Should I shake or stir a Brooklyn, and for how long?
Always stir, as the cocktail is fully spirituous and benefits from clarity and a silky texture. Aim for 20–30 seconds with plenty of hard ice until the mixing glass is very cold and the liquid tastes cohesive.
How strong does a Brooklyn feel, and when should I serve it?
It drinks like a firm aperitif, drier and slightly bitter compared to a Manhattan. Serve before dinner or during a refined cocktail hour where a crisp, focused sip sets the tone.
Can I batch a Brooklyn ahead of time, and what should I watch out for?
Yes, it batches well; add 15–20 percent chilled water to mimic stirring dilution and store in the fridge. Taste a small test batch first, as bitterness from the amaro can amplify over time, and always finish with a fresh orange twist.
Hangover Risk
Risk Level
Hangover risk based on alcohol type, content, and serving size: 3/5. Always drink responsibly.
Recipe Rating
Based on 2 reviews