The Manhattan is one of the more riff-able cocktails, and the Brooklyn may be my favorite riff. It take the Perfect Manhattan idea, but it replaces the sweet vermouth with maraschino, a cherry liqueur.
Context
I’m not entirely sure where the drink comes from (a lot of cocktails can be traced to a specific bar/bartender’s manual, but not this one), but the name is witty. It’s not Manhattan, but it’s close. I discovered the drink just googling what to do after I found a killer deal on some Maraska in Oregon and not having a ton of ideas what to do with it.
Making the Drink
Like all Manhattan riffs, this one’s easy. Get a glass cold. Put everything in a mixing glass with ice, and stir it til it’s frigid. Strain and serve. Simple, perfect.
Tasting Notes
I love this drink, and I definitely prefer it to a perfect Manhattan. It has the same notes (spice and sweet fighting for prominence without either really winning), but the spice here is a bit brighter and the sweetness is fruitier. Overall, it’s a lighter, more fun drink than a pure Manhattan.
Riffs
Since this is already a riff, anything you do to riff a Brooklyn is just another step removed from a Manhattan. That said, I don’t see any reason to limit yourself to maraschino. If you reduce the ratio a bit, dry curacao could be really good here, as would any other liqueur from Italy or France.
You could also go the other way, and leave in the sweet vermouth but replace the dry with another bitter liquid. Most lighter amari would work here too. Full disclosure, I’ve never tried this. I’ll post a follow-up when I do!