Stop Making Manhattans - Make a Brooklyn Instead (With China-China Amer)

📦 Home Bartender Starter Kit → https://shop.awesomedrinks.com/products/home-bartender-starter-kit/ The Brooklyn Cocktail is a 1908 classic that drinks like a drier, more bitter cousin to the Manhattan. It blends rye whiskey and dry vermouth, then sneaks in two key “seasoning” ingredients: maraschino liqueur for a subtle cherry-almond lift, and an Amer (traditionally Amer Picon) for that bitter orange backbone. Since Amer Picon is tough to find in the U.S., we’re using China-China Amer as a clean, modern substitute that keeps the drink true to the original idea. 👉 Squeak Easy - Best Amaretto Sour → https://youtu.be/CHWPq8-9SVY 👉 Orange Line → https://youtu.be/2dGe4Mzlak8 👉 Diamond Martini → https://youtu.be/BxAnEvG8CMY What makes the Brooklyn work is balance: it’s spirit-forward, but not heavy. Dry vermouth sharpens the rye, the Amer adds bitter-orange structure, and the maraschino rounds the edges without turning it sweet. Treat it like proper martini service: cold glass, good dilution, clean strain, and a quick lemon expression if you want that bright top note. 🍸 Recipe — Brooklyn Cocktail (Modern Spec) - 2 oz rye whiskey - 1/2 oz dry vermouth - 1/4 oz maraschino liqueur - 1/4 oz China-China Amer - Lemon twist (optional) Instructions: - Chill a coupe (or Nick & Nora). - Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. - Stir until very cold (about 20-30 seconds). - Strain into the chilled glass. - Optional: express a lemon twist over the top. History: The Brooklyn first shows up in print in 1908 in Jacob “Jack” Grohusko’s Jack’s Manual. The original calls for Amer Picon bitters, maraschino, and a 50/50 split of rye and vermouth. As Amer Picon became harder to source, bartenders started reaching for other “amer-style” bitter orange bottles—China-China Amer lands right in that lane and makes this classic easy to bring back. Hashtags (more relevant for this video) #brooklyncocktail #ryewhiskey #classiccocktails