List of cocktails named after New York City boroughs


There are five cocktails that are named after the five boroughs of New York City. In common lore, each has some connection to the borough after which it is eponymously styled.

The Bronx

Named after the borough of The Bronx, a Bronx consists of gin, vermouth, and orange juice. It was formerly listed as an IBA official cocktail and was ranked as the third most famous cocktail in the world in 1934. A pre-Prohibition cocktail, the Bronx appears in the 1908 book The World's Drinks and How to Mix Them. Some accounts say the Bronx originated in Philadelphia and was later popularized in New York. Others say that it was invented by a bartender in the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. According to Alcoholics Anonymous founder Bill W., the first drink he ever had was a Bronx cocktail, after which he became an alcoholic.

Brooklyn

Named after the borough of Brooklyn, a Brooklyn consists of rye, dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and Amer Picon. In this regard, it is similar to a Manhattan, but with a specific type of bitters and the notable addition of maraschino.
The Brooklyn was popular in the early 20th century and largely fell into obscurity after Prohibition. It began to regain popularity at the end of the 20th century.

Manhattan

Named after the borough of Manhattan, a Manhattan is a cocktail composed of whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters, typically served in a cocktail glass. Of the five drinks, it is the only one considered one of "the unforgettables" on the IBA list of official cocktails. It is also listed as one of the six basic drinks in The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks.
The Manhattan is said to have originated at a banquet hosted by Lady Randolph Churchill at the Manhattan Club in the late 19th century.

Queens

Named after the borough of Queens, a Queens consists of gin, vermouth, and pineapple juice. The drink dates back to 1930, appearing in Harry Craddock's Savoy Cocktail Book.

Staten Island

Staten Island is the only borough without a cocktail that bears its name directly. A Staten Island Ferry is named after the ferry that carries passengers between the boroughs of Manhattan and Staten Island.
It consists of Malibu rum and pineapple juice, resembling a piña colada. Its tropical flavoring is a satire on the fact that Staten Island is an island though far removed from the tropics.