The Red Hook is a Manhattan’s Brooklyn-born cousin, made with Punt e Mes and a touch of maraschino. This Red Hook recipe is rye, Italian vermouth and cherry liqueur, stirred cold and served up, and it’s dark, bitter and rather good.
It was created in 2003 by the bartender Vincenzo Errico and named after a Brooklyn neighbourhood. It’s one of those drinks that gets more interesting with every sip.
1
serving3
minutesRye, Punt e Mes and maraschino liqueur, stirred and served up. Dark, bittersweet and a bit cherry.
Ingredients
60 ml (2 oz) rye whiskey
15 ml (½ oz) Punt e Mes
10 ml (2 tsp) maraschino liqueur
Ice
Cherry, to garnish
Method
- Chill a coupe glass.
- Add the rye, Punt e Mes and maraschino to a mixing glass filled with ice.
- Stir for about 25 seconds, until very cold.
- Strain into the coupe and garnish with a cherry.
Thomas’s tip
- If you can’t find Punt e Mes, use sweet vermouth with a dash of Angostura or amaro. It’s not the same, but it’s close enough to try.
What does a Red Hook taste like?
Rye spice up front, then dark, bitter vermouth and a floral cherry sweetness from the maraschino. It’s richer and more bitter than a Manhattan, with a long, slightly herbal finish.
Tips for a better Red Hook
Go easy on the maraschino. It’s sweet and funky, and 10 ml is already generous.
Use a rye with a bit of strength. The Punt e Mes is bitter, and a weak whiskey gets lost.
Red Hook variations
Swap Punt e Mes for sweet vermouth and you’re back to a Manhattan with a cherry kick. Add a dash of orange bitters if you want more citrus. For a related drink with dry vermouth, try the Brooklyn.
Best whisky for a Red Hook
A spicy rye is ideal. Look for something at 45% or above, with enough pepper to cut through the bitterness.
Red Hook: quick answers
What is a Red Hook cocktail?
A stirred drink of rye whiskey, Punt e Mes and maraschino liqueur. It’s a Brooklyn riff on the Manhattan.
What is Punt e Mes?
An Italian vermouth with a strong bitter edge, somewhere between a vermouth and an amaro.
What can I use instead of Punt e Mes?
Sweet vermouth with a dash of bitters, or a bit of amaro. It won’t be identical, but it works.
If you can’t find Punt e Mes, use sweet vermouth with a dash of Angostura or amaro. It’s not the same, but it’s close enough to try.
Thomas Grønvold is the founder of Caskable and a whisky enthusiast who believes the best way to learn about whisky is simply to drink it, compare it, and stay curious. From supermarket favourites to bottles from distilleries around the world, he writes about what he actually tastes and experiences, without pretending you need to be an expert to enjoy a good dram.
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