The Manhattan may be a delicious, classic cocktail, but does it truly represent New York City? After all, this particular drink came to life in the early 1870s, so it’s safe to say the essence of the city may have changed since then. Since NYC needs a refresh on a cocktail that personifies it, then the nine other cities on the list below deserve their chance to have a drink made in their honor, too. I consulted with food and drink writers around the country to learn what makes their cities so unique, then matched those characteristics with representative liquors and spirits.
Boston: Hot Toddy
Image credit: Robbie Shade
What’s the most contemplative liquor on the market? Whisky of course, and since this is Boston, Irish Whisky is the only way to go. Instead of rocks, this cocktail heats up, counterbalancing the natural coldness of a Boston winter. Brew up a pot of Lipton’s Yellow Label tea (bear with me) and add a generous serving of the aforementioned booze to make those icy but thoughtful nights a little more memorable. This works just as well if you’re on the West Coast missing your Patriots and Red Sox.
Portland: The Necromancer
Image credit: Jamie Dwyer
Let’s eschew the obvious Pabst Blue Ribbon paired with a shot and delve into something more creative, because that’s what Portlanders would do. Absinthe feels like the most artistic of the liquors, having been a mainstay in creative diets for a long time now. Similarly, elderflower liquor is a whimsical addition to any cocktail, which is why The Necromancer, a play-on of the classic Corpse Reviver, is Portland’s cocktail. Plus, the herbaceousness of this drink would play well with Portland and the natural beauty for which it’s known.
Los Angeles: The McQueen
Image credit: Nserrano
Diversity and fusion almost go hand in hand – it’s hard to have one without the other. That’s why “The McQueen; is the perfect cocktail for LA. The very name is a shout-out to the film industry which built Los Angeles into the powerhouse city it is today, and instead of the more traditional tequila, Mezcal honors both the city’s Hispanic population and the characteristic smog of LA’s recent past.
New York: Martini
Image credit: King of Hearts
Finally we get to the impetus for this whole experiment. It’s plain to see that New Yorkers have a lot of impressions of their city, but can one cocktail address all these varying feelings? People from this city are known for being direct, which is why the right cocktail is one that gets straight to the point. That’s why New York gets updated with a martini, because this classic American city needs to be paired with a classic American drink that is cosmopolitan and influential, but packs a helluva punch.
