Beginning with the “Manhattan”, a trend developed of naming cocktails after cities, places, and neighborhoods. In 2004, Vincenzo Errico, while working at Milk & Honey in New York, created a riff on the Manhattan and named it after the “Red Hook” neighborhood in Brooklyn (as opposed to the town of Red Hook, which is also in New York).
Where a Manhattan uses, essentially, any “sweet vermouth”, the Red Hook calls for Punt e Mes, which is a specific brand off vermouth that has a more robust and slightly bitter flavor than your run-of-the-mill sweet vermouth. Maraschino liqueur is added which, while slightly sweet, adds a distinctive funkiness which tends to dry out the drink a little bit.
At one time, both Punt e Mes and Maraschino liqueur were difficult to find, making this drink in 2004 one that only a “craft” cocktail lounge could probably make. Today, both of these ingredients are more readily available, and if a bar doesn’t carry them it is only because they haven’t yet felt the need to.
As a modern classic, the Red Hook is a great contender. For people who like Manhattan’s, this is a great drink to try as an alternative. While the brand of vermouth to use (Punt e Mes) is probably the only one that is specifically important, Vincenzo originally made it using Rittenhouse Rye and Luxardo Maraschino, so you might want to start there if you can, and then see if your favorite rye or maraschino suites your tastes as well or better.
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Recipe:
2 oz Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey
1/2 oz Punt e Mes
1/2 oz Marschino Liqueur
Instructions:
Stir ingredients with ice.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Where a Manhattan uses, essentially, any “sweet vermouth”, the Red Hook calls for Punt e Mes, which is a specific brand off vermouth that has a more robust and slightly bitter flavor than your run-of-the-mill sweet vermouth. Maraschino liqueur is added which, while slightly sweet, adds a distinctive funkiness which tends to dry out the drink a little bit.
At one time, both Punt e Mes and Maraschino liqueur were difficult to find, making this drink in 2004 one that only a “craft” cocktail lounge could probably make. Today, both of these ingredients are more readily available, and if a bar doesn’t carry them it is only because they haven’t yet felt the need to.
As a modern classic, the Red Hook is a great contender. For people who like Manhattan’s, this is a great drink to try as an alternative. While the brand of vermouth to use (Punt e Mes) is probably the only one that is specifically important, Vincenzo originally made it using Rittenhouse Rye and Luxardo Maraschino, so you might want to start there if you can, and then see if your favorite rye or maraschino suites your tastes as well or better.
Small Screen delivers beautifully crafted videos about cocktails, bartending, mixology, food and cooking, each and every week. SUBSCRIBE to Small Screen: http://bit.ly/MF8FOT
Sign up for the Small Screen email newsletter & be the first to know when new episodes air on our site!: http://bit.ly/13B6uVE
The Cocktail Spirit on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1ajfvq5
Small Screen on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/15F6PwT
Small Screen on Twitter: http://bit.ly/16Drsuj
Small Screen on Pinterest: http://bit.ly/18lxkp9
Watch this episode on Small Screen:
Recipe:
2 oz Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey
1/2 oz Punt e Mes
1/2 oz Marschino Liqueur
Instructions:
Stir ingredients with ice.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
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