The NYC Cocktail Olympics: A Borough-by-Borough Battle for the Best Drink
New York City is a cocktail capital, home to some of the most legendary drinks ever created. But if each borough had to compete for cocktail supremacy, which drink would best represent its history, culture, and energy? Welcome to the NYC Cocktail Olympics, where every borough gets a signature drink worthy of its identity.
From Manhattan’s timeless sophistication to Staten Island’s tropical escape, these borough-based cocktails tell a story in every sip. Let the games begin.
🥇 Manhattan: The Undisputed Classic
Cocktail: The Manhattan
Why It Wins: Bold, sophisticated, and world-famous, just like its namesake borough.
The Manhattan cocktail is as iconic as the skyline—timeless, elegant, and built to last. First crafted in the late 19th century, it has remained a staple of New York’s bar scene for over a century. Whether you’re closing a deal on Wall Street or sipping in a candlelit speakeasy, the Manhattan is the drink of choice for those who appreciate classic, no-nonsense refinement.
Recipe:
2 oz rye whiskey
1 oz sweet vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Stir with ice and strain into a coupe glass
Garnish with a cherry
Where to drink it: Bemelmans Bar (Upper East Side) – An old-school, jazz-filled escape that feels like stepping back in time.
🥈 Brooklyn: The Artisanal Underdog
Cocktail: The Brooklyn
Why It Wins: A revival of a lost classic, just like Brooklyn’s bar scene.
Once overshadowed by the Manhattan, the Brooklyn cocktail is having its own resurgence, much like the borough itself. Brooklyn is all about craft, creativity, and reinvention, which is exactly what this bittersweet, complex drink represents.
Recipe:
2 oz rye whiskey
1 oz dry vermouth
0.25 oz maraschino liqueur
0.25 oz Amer Picon (or Angostura bitters)
Stir with ice and strain into a chilled coupe glass
Garnish with a cherry
Where to drink it: Maison Premiere (Williamsburg) – A cocktail lover’s paradise with pre-Prohibition vibes and an unrivaled selection of whiskey and absinthe.
🥉 Queens: The Cosmopolitan Fusion
Cocktail: The Queens Cocktail
Why It Wins: Diverse, global, and unexpected, just like the borough itself.
Queens is one of the most diverse places on earth, with cultures from all corners of the globe represented in its food and drink scene. The Queens Cocktail, with its mix of botanical gin and tropical pineapple juice, reflects the borough’s vibrant, ever-evolving flavors.
Recipe:
1.5 oz gin
0.75 oz sweet vermouth
0.75 oz dry vermouth
0.75 oz pineapple juice
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled coupe glass
Garnish with a lemon twist
Where to drink it: Dutch Kills (Long Island City) – A speakeasy-style bar serving expertly crafted classic cocktails in an unpretentious, cool setting.
🏅 The Bronx: The Overlooked Powerhouse
Cocktail: The Bronx Cocktail
Why It Wins: A forgotten favorite with a refreshing twist.
The Bronx Cocktail was once one of the most popular drinks in America, even ranking above the Martini in the early 1900s. Created at the original Waldorf-Astoria, this gin-based cocktail is fruity, smooth, and dangerously drinkable. Much like the Bronx itself, it’s bold, vibrant, and full of history.
Recipe:
1.5 oz gin
0.75 oz sweet vermouth
0.75 oz dry vermouth
1.5 oz fresh orange juice
Shake with ice and strain into a coupe glass
Garnish with an orange twist
Where to drink it: The Bronx Beer Hall (Arthur Avenue) – While known for craft beer, this spot celebrates the neighborhood’s old-school drinking culture and is a perfect place to toast the borough.
🎖️ Staten Island: The Tropical Escape
Cocktail: The Staten Island Ferry
Why It Wins: Easygoing, fun, and a little unexpected.
Staten Island may be NYC’s most laid-back borough, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve a signature cocktail. The Staten Island Ferry is a two-ingredient tropical drink that channels the Piña Colada—but with a quicker, no-fuss attitude that matches Staten Island’s easygoing vibe.
Recipe:
2 oz coconut rum
4 oz pineapple juice
Pour over ice in a highball glass
Garnish with a pineapple slice or cherry
Where to drink it: Vinum (Staten Island) – An underrated Italian wine bar and cocktail spot that brings elevated drinks to the borough that deserves more credit.
And the Winner Is…?
It depends on what you love in a cocktail.
If you want classic, timeless sophistication, go for Manhattan’s namesake drink.
If you prefer bittersweet complexity, Brooklyn’s cocktail revival might be your winner.
If you love unexpected, global flavors, the Queens cocktail is for you.
If you’re into forgotten classics making a comeback, grab a Bronx cocktail.
If you just want something fun and easy, the Staten Island Ferry is your go-to.
One thing is for sure—New York City’s cocktail culture is just as diverse and dynamic as its five boroughs.
Experience NYC’s Cocktail Olympics at Your Next Event
Want to host your own NYC Cocktail Olympics? At Art of the Cocktail, we bring the best of New York’s mixology scene straight to you with:
✔ Private mixology classes where you’ll learn to make these borough-inspired cocktails
✔ Bespoke tasting experiences featuring NYC’s most famous drinks
✔ Custom cocktail menus crafted to showcase the flavors and history of New York
Whether you're planning a corporate event, themed party, or just want a fun night of cocktail competition, our expert mixologists will guide you through a one-of-a-kind experience inspired by the boroughs of NYC.
Because in the end, the best cocktail is the one that tells a story—and NYC has plenty of those to go around.
