New York Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 10/25/21
Classic Cocktail with Lemon Twist
Wikimedia Commons
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

The New York Cocktail is a classic drink, and the simple mix is one that a broad spectrum of drinkers will enjoy. It is similar to a Whiskey Sour, though this recipe adds the sweetness of grenadine to balance out some of the tartness.

This drink is a mixture of whiskey, lemon juice, sugar, and grenadine. Originally, blended whiskey was used, which is an American creation (perfect for a cocktail named after the country's most well-known city); it is a combination of at least 20 percent straight whiskey plus grain neutral spirits. But the choice of whiskey is up to you—there are many great options available today, from Irish whiskey to rye whiskey, in a wide variety of flavors and price points.

To make the New York cocktail, all of the ingredients are shaken, strained into a chilled glass, and then garnished with a lemon twist. It is easy enough to increase the recipe to serve a few friends or a crowd. Enjoy this drink before dinner any time of year.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces blended whiskey

  • 1 ounce lemon juice

  • 1/2 teaspoon grenadine

  • 1 teaspoon superfine sugar

  • Lemon twist, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a cocktail shaker, pour the whiskey, lemon juice, grenadine, and sugar. Fill with ice.

  3. Shake well.

  4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

  5. Garnish with the lemon twist. Serve and enjoy.

How Strong Is the New York Cocktail?

The New York Cocktail is a short drink because it's not a light one. It follows suit with the likes of other whiskey 'up' drinks like the Manhattan, though the mixers in this recipe do help tame it down a bit. If you pour an 80-proof whiskey, your New York Cocktail will be somewhere around 21 percent ABV (42 proof).

Choose Your Whiskey

Opting for a bottle of Canadian whiskey is often a good idea because they are masters at blending. Rye whiskey and even a mellow bourbon would work as well. Different whiskeys may call for slight adjustments to the drink's sweeteners. If the whiskey you choose is sweet (or you simply wish to cut out the added sugar), you can skip the sugar completely. The grenadine does a great job of sweetening the drink on its own.

When Should a Cocktail Be Shaken?

The general rule for when to shake a cocktail depends on its ingredients. If the drink includes simple syrup, citrus or sour mix, egg whites, cream liqueurs, fruit juices, or dairy, it should be prepared in a shaker versus simply stirred in a pitcher. The shaking ensures that all of the ingredients are well mixed, and if there is any dairy that is does not separate. The vigorous motion also breaks up the ice a bit, essentially diluting the drink which is beneficial and helps unify the flavors.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
162 Calories
0g Fat
9g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 162
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 9mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 9g 3%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 12mg 61%
Calcium 11mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 45mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)