Greenpoint

The Greenpoint is a modern classic that riffs on the Brooklyn cocktail, offering a robust and complex flavor profile. It's a stirred, spirit-forward drink featuring spicy rye whiskey as its base, perfectly complemented by sweet vermouth. The defining ingredient is Yellow Chartreuse, which imparts a unique honeyed and herbal character. A combination of Angostura and orange bitters adds further depth, resulting in a warming, layered, and memorable sipper.
Greenpoint

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Greenpoint is categorized as a Modern Classic cocktail, having been created in the 21st century but gaining widespread acclaim. Due to its spirit-forward and complex nature, it functions excellently as both an aperitif to stimulate the appetite and a digestif to enjoy after a meal.

Serving

The Greenpoint is a potent, spirit-forward drink served cold and "up" (without ice) in a pre-chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass to maintain its temperature and silky texture.
Serving size
approx. 110 ml / 3.75 oz
Alcohol content
Estimated 30% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

Created in 2006 by Michael McIlroy at the legendary New York City bar Milk & Honey, the Greenpoint is a product of the modern cocktail renaissance. It is named after the Greenpoint neighborhood in Brooklyn, following the tradition of its predecessors like the Manhattan and Brooklyn cocktails. The drink quickly gained popularity among bartenders and enthusiasts for its perfect balance and complexity.
Origin
New York City, USA, 2006.

Greenpoint

The drink is consistently known as the Greenpoint, named after a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. It is sometimes referred to more formally as the Greenpoint Cocktail, but this is less common.
Original name
Greenpoint
Alternative name
Greenpoint Cocktail

Characteristics overview

This cocktail presents a complex, herbal, and spicy flavor profile with a smooth, silky mouthfeel. Its aroma is rich with rye spice and botanicals, leading to a long and warming finish that makes it satisfying in any season.
Flavor
Spirit-forward, herbal, complex, spicy, slightly sweet, warming
Aroma
Rye spice, herbaceous, botanical, orange peel, sweet wine
Taste balance
Bitter, sweet, herbal
Aftertaste
Long, warming, herbal, spicy
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Amber, reddish-brown, clear
Texture
Silky, smooth, slightly viscous
Seasonality
Warming, all-season, autumnal

Flavor intensity & Experience

The Greenpoint's flavor is intense and spirit-driven, balancing the spice from rye whiskey with the herbal sweetness of Yellow Chartreuse and a moderate bitterness. It is a strong, non-carbonated drink designed for sipping.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail is built from a base of rye whiskey, modified with sweet vermouth and Yellow Chartreuse. Two types of bitters, Angostura and orange, are required to complete the flavor profile.
  • Rye Whiskey60 ml / 2 oz
    A high-rye (95-100%) whiskey works well to cut through the other ingredients.
  • Sweet Vermouth15 ml / 0.5 oz
    A quality Italian-style vermouth like Carpano Antica Formula or Cocchi Vermouth di Torino is recommended.
  • Yellow Chartreuse15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Milder and sweeter than its green counterpart, this is essential for the recipe.
  • Angostura Bitters1 dash
    Adds aromatic spice and complexity.
  • Orange Bitters1 dash
    Adds a bright citrus note that complements the other ingredients.

Ice type

  • Cubed ice for stirring

Mixing equipments

Standard stirring equipment is needed to make this drink. You will require a mixing glass, a jigger, a bar spoon, and a strainer to properly chill and serve it.
  • Mixing glass for combining and chilling ingredients
  • Bar spoon for stirring
  • Jigger for accurate measurement
  • Cocktail strainer (Hawthorne or Julep) for pouring

Instructions

The preparation involves combining all liquid ingredients in an ice-filled mixing glass, stirring until perfectly chilled and diluted, and then straining into a chilled coupe. The final touch is garnishing with an expressed lemon twist.
1. Place your serving glass (a coupe or Nick & Nora) in the freezer to chill.
2. Pour the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, Yellow Chartreuse, Angostura bitters, and orange bitters into a mixing glass.
3. Fill the mixing glass two-thirds full with fresh, cubed ice.
4. Stir continuously with a bar spoon for 20-30 seconds, until the outside of the glass is frosty and the drink is well-chilled.
5. Strain the cocktail into your chilled serving glass.
6. Using a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife, cut a strip of lemon peel. Twist it over the surface of the drink to express its oils, then drop it into the glass as a garnish.

Garnishing

A simple lemon twist is the essential garnish. Expressing the citrus oils over the drink's surface adds a crucial aromatic layer that brightens the cocktail.
  • Lemon Twist: Express the oils from a lemon peel over the surface of the drink before dropping it in or placing it on the rim.

Dietary Information

This is a fully alcoholic beverage. It is generally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, and nuts, but it is not gluten-free due to the rye whiskey base.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✕ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

A serving of the Greenpoint contains approximately 210 calories, with a relatively low carbohydrate and sugar content derived from the vermouth and liqueur. Most calories come from the alcohol content.
Calories
averagely 210 kcal / 879 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
averagely 9 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
averagely 8 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is ideal for a sophisticated cocktail hour or as a contemplative drink to unwind with in the evening. Its elegant character also makes it an excellent choice for serving at dinner parties or other refined social events.
  • Cocktail Hour
  • Evening Sipping
  • Dinner Parties
  • Sophisticated Gatherings

Pairing suggestions

The robust, spicy, and herbal character of the Greenpoint pairs beautifully with rich and savory flavors. It is an excellent companion to a platter of charcuterie and aged cheeses. For a simpler pairing, consider enjoying it with roasted nuts or a piece of high-quality dark chocolate.
  • Charcuterie board
  • Aged cheeses like Gruyère or sharp cheddar
  • Smoked or roasted nuts
  • Dark chocolate

The Greenpoint: A Modern Classic from Brooklyn's Cocktail Scene

The Greenpoint is a sophisticated, rye-based cocktail that stands as a testament to the modern cocktail renaissance. Created in 2006 by Michael McIlroy, it masterfully builds upon the classic Brooklyn cocktail by substituting maraschino and Amer Picon for the unique herbal sweetness of Yellow Chartreuse. It is a perfectly balanced, spirit-forward sipper, ideal for those who appreciate a complex and warming drink with a long, satisfying finish. The Greenpoint is a must-try for any fan of the Manhattan or its many variations.

Similar Cocktails

Red Hook

Another Brooklyn neighborhood cocktail by Vincenzo Errico. Uses rye whiskey, Punt e Mes, and maraschino liqueur.

Brooklyn

The cocktail that inspired the Greenpoint. Made with rye, dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and an amaro like Amer Picon.

Manhattan

The quintessential parent cocktail. A simple, elegant mix of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters.

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