The Bucky Barnes Brooklyn Cocktail is the next instalment of my Marvel Cocktails Series. Bucky’s cocktail is the classic Brooklyn, an old classic that’s made a big comeback. The Brooklyn Cocktail is a delicious blend of rye whiskey, extra dry vermouth, and maraschino liqueur, it has a smooth, dry bite that will keep you coming back for more. Just like Bucky, it is less popular than it’s well known counterpart (i.e. Manhattan/Captain America) but it’s just as worth bringing back!
Bucky Barnes, where do I start?! Bucky (aka The Winter Soldier) is probably my all time favourite Marvel character. He’s just a kid from Brooklyn with greatness inside him, a greatness not even he could see, and this is true whether you’re looking at comic Bucky or MCU Bucky. Let’s look at MCU Bucky though, because I love the arc The Russo brothers gave him and how he was depicted. Bucky, a kid from Brooklyn, grew up taking care of his chronically sick best friend who was more like a brother, and while Bucky may have been physically stronger than Steve, Bucky always saw a greatness in Steve and knew he was capable of amazing things.
Steve Rogers aka Captain America’s cocktail in this series is right here
So when Steve becomes Captain America, of course that is going to create a lot of conflicting feelings for Bucky. Now the world is seeing the greatness Bucky has always seen and nurtured. To paraphrase a really great essay on this subject, to watch your best friend attain greatness while not being able to attain it yourself isn’t easy. And how Bucky handles that reflects the kind of person he is. A classic superhero trope is a person becoming a villain because they are corrupted by the envy of not being able to match that strength and greatness, we’ve seen it a million times before, but it does not corrupt Bucky. Instead, he chooses heroism over villainy and, above all else, he chooses his friendship with Steve (“That little guy from Brooklyn who was too dumb not to run away from a fight, I’m following him”).Bucky has always seen the greatness in Steve, but likewise, Steve saw that greatness in Bucky too. And this is just the tip of the iceberg as to why I love Bucky Barnes and his relationship with Steve Rogers. They save each other, and it is never the super solider serum that does the saving, it is love and their inherent goodness.
That inherent goodness is the main reasons I chose the Brooklyn for Bucky’s cocktail. I have actually been putting off writing this post because I have struggled to put into words why I chose this cocktail and why it is important to me. You see, the thing is Bucky does achieve the strength of Captain America but it is against his consent and he is turned into a weapon. We see what he becomes in The Winter Solider, he is no longer Bucky, or so we think. For 50 years he is a weapon used by Hydra and yet, when he goes up against Steve Rogers, Bucky starts fighting back. That inherent goodness and greatness that Steve always saw in him is stronger than any mind control Hydra could put him under, deep down he will always be Bucky, even if he has to struggle to bring him out each time, he is there.
Elektra has her own kickass cocktail here!
Does that explain why I chose the Brookyln Cocktail for him? Probably not unless you can get inside my head. But this is a cocktail named for his home borough, a cocktail that came about during the prohibition when Bucky was growing up and finding himself. It’s recently been making a comeback, yet is still not as well known as the Manhattan despite being very similar (and while Steve is also from Brooklyn, I’m using that as a parallel for how under appreciated Bucky is). Usually when I’m making a classic cocktail, I will put my own twist on it, but not this time. Just like Bucky, the Brooklyn Cocktail cannot be changed at it’s heart, this is what it is and while you can change it and twist it, this is what it will always be. Just like Bucky, he can be manipulated, used and abused, but deep down Bucky will always be there, no matter what.
Okay, so by now you probably think that I’ve lost my mind a little bit, making this much of a connection between a comic book character and a classic cocktail. Maybe I am, but just like any other recipe I share with y’all, I am passionate about it. I spent a long time thinking of the perfect cocktail to represent Bucky Barnes, so when I came across the Brooklyn Cocktail it was like a spiritual moment for me! I will be making plenty of other Marvel cocktails, but I can’t imagine I will ever find such a perfect match. I’m willing to try though!
I also lucked out because this Brooklyn Cocktail is totally delicious! It’s become my new favourite cocktail. It is very dry, but this is balanced by the bitter sweetness of the Maraschino liqueur. It is a stirred cocktail that is served chilled and straight up (i.e. no ice). To be a truly traditional Brooklyn Cocktail, you need to use Amer Picon, but this can be very hard to find these days (particularly in the US I hear) and when you do find it, it’s pretty expensive. You can orange bitters in place of Amer Picon which works very well. You really don’t want to stray from Maraschino Liqueur though, no other cherry liqueur has the same bitterness to sweetness ratio that you need for this Brooklyn Cocktail, I use Luxardo. Also worth noting that the liquid you get in a jar of Maraschino Cherries is not the same thing! A jar of maraschino cherries will come in handy though, as this Brooklyn Cocktail needs a cherry garnish and nothing beats a maraschino cherry. If you’re not willing/able to splash out on a jar of authentic maraschino cherries (i.e. not the bright red ones you get, they will not do this cocktail justice, honestly the difference between the two is very big!) then I recommend regular fresh or frozen cherries as a garnish.
Just like Bucky Barnes, this Brooklyn Cocktail has found itself a place in my heart and will forever remain a favourite! I hope you love it as much as I do. I would love to hear your experiences with this Brooklyn Cocktail, whether it’s a long time favourite for you or completely new to you. And, of course, I’d love to hear any thoughts you have on Bucky Barnes!
Bucky Barnes Cocktail (The Brooklyn Cocktail)
Prep
Cook
Total
Yield 1
The Brooklyn Cocktail for Bucky Barnes in my Marvel cocktail series. A dry cocktail made from rye whiskey, vermouth, maraschino liqueur and bitters. Served in a martini glass and garnished with cherries
Ingredients
- 2oz Rye whiskey
- 1oz Extra dry vermouth
- 1/4 oz Maraschino liqueur
- 1/4 oz Amer Picon*
- 3 Cherries for garnish
Instructions
- Chill your martini glass(es) for 10 minutes in the freezer.
- Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with plenty of ice
- Stir until well chilled
- Strain into your chilled martini glass
- Garnish with cherries
- Serve immediately
Notes
*If you can't get Amer Picon, sub for 2 dashes orange bitters
Makes one drink Double as needed
So there completes my third instalment of the Marvel cocktail series, I hope you like it! Which Marvel character should inspire my next cocktail in the series?
As one who lives in Brooklyn I am intrigued by this cocktail, it sounds delicious and your photo’s are beautiful. A girl I work with has a husband who is an artist and he just finished an installation of a huge Captain America statue in Prospect Park. I will send them this they can toast the occasion with this cocktail.
Thank you Suzanne! You definitely have to try it if you live in Brooklyn!
Ooh I haven’t heard about that, will definitely have to check out that statue online if I can!
I haven’t experimented with making drinks with bitters but I love them when we go out. I’ll definitely have to try this. Maybe I’ll acquire some super powers if I have a few?
This is my first time using them myself, need to play around some more for sure!
If you get any super powers, let me know haha! I’ll have to drink a few more to up my chances 😉
I LOVE all of these Marvel themed drinks!! Bucky was totally one of my favorite characters, too. And this is a cocktail that is right up my husband’s alley!
Thank you Tracy! You have good taste, Bucky is the best!
I don’t know the Marvel characters that well other than Captain America because our second son is a Captain America fanatic! I’ve not had a Brooklyn cocktail either, but your story about Bucky, and the ingredients in the cocktail have me wanting to give it a whirl… Hubby is a Manhattan drinker, so he’d be easily persuaded for sure!
Oh your son should be able to give you a Bucky lesson then, he is Captain America’s BFF after all! Totally a good excuse to sit down and watch all the films too!!
If you hubby likes a Manhattan he will totally love the Brooklyn, very similar but way better (in my humble opinion haha!)
Wow! I had never heard of this cocktail before today and I’m not sure how easy maraschino liquor is to come by in the U.S. (I don’t recall ever seeing it) but I sure do like the sounds and looks of this Bucky inspired cocktail. How fun would it be to have a Marvel themed cocktail party. ..where guests dressed up as their favorite character and you served these Marvel inspired sips?
You should able to find it in larger liquor stores, but I got mine from Amazon… where I get everything haha! But since the Brooklyn is an American cocktail, I would hope they’d sell all the ingredients there haha!
That would be my idea of a dream party!
Such a clever series of drinks! Bucky might be a bit “strong” for me lol! I’d have to start with Captain America ‘s slushy and move on to Electra’s margarita before I could attempt the Bucky!?
Very fun!
I liked Lynn’s idea of a party with the themed drinks!
Have a great day!
Michelle
Hahah working your way up sounds like a good idea! The Bucky is strong, but so tasty! You’re right, Lynn’s party idea sounds awesome! Thank you!
What a fun idea. My son is a huge Marvel fan…he will have to wait a few years to try a cocktail though 🙂
Thanks Sandi! Would be a fun way to celebrate his 21st when he gets there haha!
I love your marvel series! It kind of makes me wish I would have thought to have a Marvel Costume Halloween Party to serve all of the fun cocktails! But rest assured I’ll be making this one for our friday night Cocktails!
Thank you Michele! A Marvel costume party sounds awesome any time of year to me, let’s do it!!
I’m thinking about making my birthday a costume party because why not? Having a theme and making everyone wear costumes and drink the cocktails would be epic!
Costume parties are the best parties! I would definitely want an invite 😉