Delish Editor Lena Abraham’s ‘Brooklyn’ Cocktail
By Lena Abraham
Approved by the Delish Test Kitchen

Yields:
1 serving(s)
Prep Time:
5 mins
Total Time:
10 mins
Everyone knows the classic Manhattan cocktail: whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. But did you know that all five New York City boroughs have their own namesake cocktails? Chances are, you may not—none have gained the popularity of the ubiquitous Manhattan.
The original Brooklyn cocktail dates all the way back to 1908, when it was first printed in J.A. Grohusko’s Jack's Manual, a book of recipes for fancy mixed drinks and how to serve them. As written, it was not all that different from a Manhattan: equal parts rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and small amounts off maraschino liqueur and a hard-to-find French orange liqueur called Amer Picon.
The drink has evolved over the years, but considering the drink is over 100 years old, I decided to start from scratch for my version. I kicked things off with an ingredient that I know my fellow Brooklynites hold very close to their hearts: coffee. I love the complex flavors that coffee brings to cocktails, and seeing as I was a barista for many years, partially in Brooklyn, it just felt right. With De’Longhi’s La Specialista Espresso Machine, making espresso the right way is ridiculously easy. The espresso brings notes of chocolate and toasted nuts, flavors that contrast well with smoky and bright mezcal. A small amount of herbaceous amaro brings bitter notes and balance, and a few dashes of bitters tie all those flavors together.
So there it is, my humble attempt at a Brooklyn. (No disrespect to Mr. Grohusko. 😅) If you try it, please let us know how it went in the comment section below!
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Ingredients
- 1
shot espresso, made with De’Longhi Signature Espresso Blend
- 1 tsp.
brown sugar
Ice
- 1 oz.
mezcal
- 1/2 oz.
amaro
- 2
dashes citrus bitters
- 2
dashes orange bitters
Orange peel, for garnish
Brandied cherry, for garnish
Directions
- Step 1Using La Specialista Espresso machine, brew 1 shot espresso. Add a teaspoon of brown sugar, and stir until sugar is completely dissolved, then set aside to cool while assembling the remainder of the drink.
- Step 2Into a mixing glass filled with ice, such as a pint glass or body of a cocktail shaker, combine mezcal, amaro, and bitters. Stir to combine, then add espresso and stir again until all ingredients are well chilled.
- Step 3Strain into serving glass and garnish with orange peel and cherry.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

From Delish for Shipt
9 Summer Barbecue Staples to Grab from Shipt

From Delish for Heluva Good!
Our Summer Barbecue Secret

From Delish for Epicurean
5 Considerations For Your Next Cutting Board

How Seeds Became A Quest For Deliciousness
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below