Make a Bushwick Cocktail this winter! This straightforward warm-night recipe combines rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and Amer Picon.
Prep time: 1 minute minute
Mixing time: 1 minute minute
- 2 oz Rye Whiskey
- 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
- ½ oz Maraschino Liqueur
- ¼ oz Amer Picon or Amaro Lucano
- Ice cubes
- Lemon twist - for garnish, optional
Mixing Glass
Measuring Jigger
Stirrer or Bar Spoon
Strainer
Coupe Glass
Prep Glass: Chill your coupe glass by filling it with ice.
Add Amer Picon: Measure and pour ¼ oz Amer Picon or Amaro Lucano in the mixing glass.
Add Maraschino: Add ½ oz Maraschino Liqueur to the mix.
Add Vermouth: Measure and pour 1 oz Sweet Vermouth into the glass.
Add Rye: Finish with 2 oz Rye Whiskey.
Add Ice: Fill the mixing glass with ice cubes.
Stir: Use a bar spoon to stir the mixture gently for about 20 seconds.
Strain: Empty the ice from the coupe glass and strain the cocktail into it.
Garnish: Add a lemon twist for garnish if desired.
Substitutes:
- Rye Whiskey: If you don't have rye whiskey, bourbon is a substitute, offering a slightly sweeter profile. I've also tried Canadian whisky for a smoother finish.
- Sweet Vermouth: Dry vermouth can be used instead of sweet vermouth, but I recommend adding a small splash of simple syrup to maintain balance.
- Maraschino Liqueur: Cherry heering is a good alternative to maraschino liqueur if you can't find it; it adds a richer cherry flavor.
- Amer Picon/Amaro Lucano: If neither is available, try using Averna or Ramazzotti as substitutes; they provide similar bitter and herbal notes.
Making a Pitcher of Bushwick Cocktail:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of rye whiskey, 8 oz of sweet vermouth, 4 oz of maraschino liqueur, and 2 oz of Amer Picon or Amaro Lucano.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and Amer Picon or Amaro Lucano with ice. Stir well.
- Serve: Strain the mixture into chilled coupe glasses, garnish with lemon twists, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Rye Whiskey Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic whiskey alternative; these are available and mimic the flavor profile quite well.
- Sweet Vermouth Substitute: To replicate the sweetness and body, opt for non-alcoholic red wine mixed with a bit of grape juice and spices.
- Maraschino Liqueur Substitute: Use cherry syrup or cherry juice concentrate for that distinct cherry flavor.
- Amer Picon/Amaro Lucano Substitute: Make an orange peel-infused simple syrup with a touch of gentian roots for bitterness.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
The standard recipe is vegan-friendly since it contains no animal products. If you're strict about it, ensure that your choice of spirits and liqueurs is certified vegan.