Famous for its theaters, colorful neon-lit streets, bagels, pizza pies, and street corner hot dog vendors, New York is also the origin of many iconic cocktails sipped and savored worldwide.
The Martini, the Classic Manhattan, and the Penicillin all originated in the city that never sleeps, some with a history dating back to the 1800s.
This article explores the unique stories, origins, and ingredients surrounding these famous beverages and how you can enjoy them at home.
New York’s Cocktail Culture
New York City is a hub for innovation, creativity, and theatrical genius, but it also holds its own in the world of mixology.
The city’s historical significance in cocktail culture dates back to the 19th century and is the source of many iconic drinks that are now considered staples in bars, clubs, and pubs around the globe.
The bustling city has been a breeding ground for some of the most famous and beloved cocktails, and its influence on the art of mixology cannot be overstated.
The growing popularity of mixology in New York is often attributed to the city’s status as a cultural melting pot. As cultures collided, the incredible diversity of flavors inevitably led to a fusion of different ingredients and mixing techniques.
The Classic Manhattan
The Manhattan cocktail, a New York classic, is believed to have originated in the 1870’s at the Manhattan Club in New York City. It was reportedly first served at a dinner hosted by Lady Randolph Churchill, the mother of Winston Churchill, to honor the presidential candidate Samuel J. Tilden.
Other origin tales would have us believe that the cocktail was invented by a bartender named Black, who invented the cocktail while in the employ of a bar on Houston Street on Broadway.
However it came to be, we’re just happy that someone stumbled upon the recipe for a perfect Manhattan, which includes:
- 2 oz rye (substitutes include: bourbon or blended Canadian whiskey)
- 3/4 oz sweet vermouth
- 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Cocktail cherries
Stir with ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass, garnish with a cherry, sip, and enjoy.
The Timeless Cosmopolitan
The Cosmopolitan cocktail rose to fame in the 1990s, with its growing prominence often credited to its frequent appearance on the popular television show Sex and the City.
As with many stories about the birth of a cocktail, enthusiasts are often in dispute about their favorite beverage’s true origins. Some say the Cosmopolitan can be traced back to New York City in the 1970s when bartender Toby Cecchini first created it at the Odeon restaurant in Manhattan.
Others will argue that it all started in Provincetown, where the Cosmopolitan became an often-requested beverage in the gay community. From there, the recipe traveled to Cleveland and Minneapolis in the west and onto San Francisco, where it continued to gather a devoted following.
The ingredients for a palate-stimulating Cosmopolitan include:
- 1 1/2 oz vodka
- 1 1/2 oz Cointreau
- 1 oz cranberry juice (bottled is okay, but fresh is preferred)
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- Lemon twist
The drink is shaken (not stirred) with ice, strained into a chilled cocktail glass, and topped with a garnish of twisted lemon or lime, but these are optional.
The Cosmopolitan has long been a symbol of sophistication and style. Cranberry, fresh lime juice, and triple sec combine to introduce a citrusy-fresh and vibrant flavor that never fails to satisfy.
The Iconic Long Island Iced Tea
This iconic cocktail was created in the 1970s by bartender Robert “Rosebud” Butt. Bob Butt (love it) claims he invented the Long Island iced tea while working at the Oak Beach Inn located on Long Island’s East End. The story goes someone placed a bottle of triple sec on the bar and challenged him to come up with something worth drinking. Despite it’s name, the drink contains soda and not a drop of Iced tea.
Of course, as with most drinks, there’s some debate to the drinks actual origin with folks claiming the drink originated during prohibition in a place called Long Island, Tennessee. To that, we can only respond in our best Brooklyn accent, “Get ‘da f**k atta hera.“
Ingredients for a feisty yet refreshing Long Island Iced Tea include:
- 3/4 oz gin
- 3/4 oz vodka
- 3/4 oz clear rum
- 3/4 oz tequilaa
- 3/4 oz Cointreau or triple sec
- 3/4 oz lime juice
- 3/4 oz orange juice
- splash of cola
- lemon wedge
Pour all the ingredients over ice into your choice of a highball, Collins, or hurricane glass. Top with cola and stir. Squeeze the lemon wedge and use it as garnish.
This potent yet refreshing combination of spirits has become a go-to choice for cocktail lovers who want a beverage packed full of flavor when they need to attend their local frat party or comfortably pass-out nap on the LIRR.
The Legendary Martini
For such a simple recipe, it’s a mystery how the Martini became synonymous with sophistication, elegance, and just a hint of danger. It’s so often featured in classic movies that it’s almost a character all its own and deserving of a mention in the credits.
The recipe for the Martini has a long and storied history that began in New York City. In 1882, the first American beverage to combine spirits and vermouth was created for the pleasure of New York’s rich and famous clientele, who often frequented The Turf Club.
The Cleveland Leader and Chicago Tribune first mentioned a drink that combined vermouth and gin in 1883. It wasn’t until 1884 that the combination got its own name, but no one can say for sure which came first, “Martinez Cocktail” or “Turf Club Cocktail.”
In 1886, the beverage’s final moniker, “Martini,” appeared in magazines all over the United States, with the recipe taking off in 1887 to quickly become one of America’s favorite cocktails.
Indulge yourself with the perfect martini by shaking, not stirring, the following:
- 2 oz gin or vodka
- 0.5 oz dry vermouth
- Lemon or olive for garnish
Stir or shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon or olive.
To read more about the contested history of this storied drink and its many variations, click here.
The Penicillin: A Contemporary Refreshment
The Penicillin’s unique smoky, spicy, and sweet flavors make it a popular request wherever it appears on the menu. A perfect ratio of Scotch whisky, ginger, honey, and lemon delivers a well-balanced and complex taste that captivates the palate.
Compared to others on this list, The Penicillin is a relative newcomer. It was first created by a bartender named Sam Ross in the mid-2000s at the Milk & Honey Bar and was inspired by the Gold Rush, another Milk & Honey original creation.
While the Gold Rush featured bourbon, Ross replaced this with blended scotch and a dollop of homemade honey-ginger syrup. The ginger added a bite, a tangy edge that Ross tempered with honey’s sweetness. A float of peaty scotch from Italy enhanced the drink with its classic smoky undertones.
The ingredients for The Penicillin are:
- 3/4 ounce honey-ginger syrup
- 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Thinly sliced ginger (2 inches worth should do)
- 2 oz blended scotch
- 1/4 oz Islay single malt scotch (for the smoke flavor)
Before you can enjoy the sweet, tangy smokiness of The Penicillin, you will need to make the honey and ginger syrup. Don’t worry, it’s easy:
- Combine equal parts water with honey in a saucepan (1/2 cup each)
- Add the thinly sliced ginger
- Bring to a boil and simmer for about 5-10 minutes
- Strain and cool
And now for the cocktail itself:
- Combine the Scotch whiskey, lemon juice, and honey-ginger syrup into a shaker
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake for about 20 seconds
- Strain, serve, and enjoy.
Variations of this drink involve mixing the scotch, lemon juice, and syrup (created without the ginger) into a cocktail mixer and adding candied ginger as a garnish. Either way, we are sure you will love the refreshing blend.
Lesser Known New York Creations
The above represent some of the most iconic and well-known cocktails from New York, but there are many more lesser-known combinations to enjoy.
Another cocktail with New York roots is the Red Snapper, essentially a Bloody Mary made with gin instead of vodka. The Tom Collins, a classic cocktail recipe made with gin, lemon juice, sugar, and carbonated water, is also regularly imbibed on nights about town. The New York Lemonade will hit the spot on hot summer nights with refreshing citrus notes, a bright splash of orange liqueur, and a decent helping of club soda. You can make your own with 1 oz of Grand Marnier Orange Liqueur, 2 oz of citrus vodka, 1 oz of club soda, and 2 oz of fresh lemon juice. Mix and pour into a chilled cocktail glass and serve with a lemon wheel garnish.
