Manhattan Cocktail
I’ve always loved the classic cocktails… they’re deliciously nostalgic. I think of Mai Tai, Zombie, Dry Martini, Moscow Mule, Aperol Spritz, Sidecar, Daiquiri, Piña Colada, Mojito, Americano, Cosmopolitan although I put a little twist on mine, Margarita or Paloma, Bellini, Irish or Spanish Coffee, Long Island Iced Tea, etc.
Besides Vodka, I’m a Whiskey and Bourbon drinker and there are a few cocktail recipes I enjoy like Old Fashioned or Sazerac which are similar, Mint Julep, Boulevardier which is the whiskey version of a Negroni, Whiskey Sour, Black-Eyed Susan, etc. including this popular one… Manhattan Cocktail!
Manhattan Cocktail is very easy to make and needs only 4 ingredients. It’s perfect to be served as an aperitif but also as a nice party cocktail to pair with bouchées, hors d’oeuvres and crudités. I wouldn’t have it while having dinner… it’s too strong.
Which spirit goes into a Manhattan Cocktail? Rye Whiskey or Bourbon? There are no right or wrong answers because both are acceptable! I prefer bourbon because it’s sweeter with soft vanilla notes in the background while rye is spicy. You’ll have to experiment and see which of the two you prefer.
When it comes to vermouth, this fortified wine shouldn’t be overlooked. You need a sweet red vermouth with a spicy finish. Here are a few I can recommend from Italy; Giuseppe Carpano • Antica Formula Vermouth, Cinzano Vermouth Rosso, and Giulio Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino. Another great one is from Portugal and it’s called Emilio Lustau Vermut Rojo.
There’s one ingredient I like to add to the mix and it’s a little bit of cherry juice. All the recipes out there call for maraschino cherries which is what it should be. Be careful though because the kind you buy at the grocery store doesn’t have maraschino liqueur in it… it’s corn syrup along with food coloring. Eventually, I’ll show you how easy it is to make the “real” stuff. Brands that I like to use are either Amarena Fabbri or Luxardo both from Italy. You can find them at any specialty store or online.
Stirred not shaken! Use a bar spoon and stir until the mixing glass or regular shaker is chilled, about 1 minute at the most. We want to maintain that beautiful amber color. If you shake, it will turn into a cloudy mess. When nicely chilled, strain it into a Nick and Nora glass or Champagne coupe. One step I like to do prior to mixing is to place an ice cube in the glass or coupe, fill it up with cold water and set it aside until it’s time to pour the drink.
Originating in New York (I’m sure it was an easy guess), this 1870s’ classic is a nice one to have in your repertoire. Besides Blueberry Tea, Hot Buttered Rum, Mulled Cider, Espresso Martini, Hot Toddy and so on, Manhattan Cocktail is among my favorite drinks that I enjoy during the colder months of the year. Garnished with a couple cherries, I slowly savor this old-time cocktail relaxing by the fireplace while listening to soft jazz after a long day…
Cheers!
Here are more great cocktail recipes for you to try…
– Blood Orange Martini
– Golden Sunset
– Homemade Holiday Eggnog
– Spanish Coffee
– Holiday Punch
– Shamrock Shake Copycat
and for even more great cocktail, smoothie, and alcohol-free beverage recipes, click on this link… Recipe Category • Cocktails
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Manhattan Cocktail
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Ingredients
- 1 cup ice cubes, plus more to chill the cocktail glass
- 2 oz. Rye Whiskey, Bourbon or Canadian Whiskey
- 1 oz. sweet Vermouth
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 tsp. cherry juice, or more to taste
- 2 large cherries such as Amarena Fabbri or Luxardo, for garnish
Directions
- Place an ice cube in a Nick & Nora glass or Champagne coupe and fill it with water; set aside.
- In a cocktail mixing glass, add whiskey, sweet vermouth, bitters, and cherry juice. Add 1 cup ice and stir until chilled, about 1 minute.
- Discard ice and water from Nick & Nora glass or coupe.
- Using a strainer, pour the cocktail into the chilled glass and garnish with cherries.
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