Make a Manhattan
The classiest of drinks, nothing is prettier or tastier than a classic Manhattan straight up. This article provides you with two recipes because it can be made with bourbon whiskey or rye whiskey, depending on what you have available, what you prefer, or perhaps you'd like to try both!
Contents
Ingredients
Rye whiskey version, this recipe serves one:
- 50ml rye whiskey (ex. Catoctin Creek Organic Roundstone Rye)
- 25ml sweet vermouth
- 1 to 2 drops of Angostura bitters
- 1 lemon
- Some maraschino cherries
- Some ice
Bourbon whiskey version, this recipe is for two:
- Bourbon - Choose a high quality bourbon such as Maker's Mark. Alternatively, you can use American whiskey (Jack Daniels or Jim Beam) or Canadian whiskey (Wiser's, Crown Royal or Canadian Club).
- Sweet dark vermouth
- Grenadine or maraschino cherry juice
- Maraschino cherries
- Angostura bitters
- Some ice
Steps
Rye whiskey version
- Chill the glass. Put some ice in the cocktail glass to cool it.
- Pour the rye whiskey into the mixing glass. Add the sweet vermouth.
- Add 1 or 2 drops of bitters to the mixing glass.
- You can also add some orange peel into the mix for a little extra zest.
- Fill the mixing glass with ice.
- Stir the contents thoroughly, until condensation appears on the side of the mixing glass.
- Dump the ice out of the martini glass.
- Strain the mixture into the martini glass.
- Garnish. To garnish, run a lemon twist around the lip of the glass and drop it in, then add a couple of maraschino cherries on a cocktail stick.
- Serve. The Manhattan is now ready to serve.
Bourbon whiskey version
- Chill the glasses by placing them in the freezer or by filling them with ice.
- Fill the shaker with ice.
- Add three shots of bourbon.
- Add 1-1.5 shots of sweet vermouth.
- Add a splash of grenadine or maraschino Make Cherry Lemonade Punch.
- Shake well.
- Prepare the glasses. Place one or two maraschino cherries in each glass, then add a few dashes of Angostura bitters.
- Pour the drinks into the glasses. Enjoy!
Tips
- Angostura makes an orange bitter that gives a Manhattan a taste that you may enjoy. Use two or three drops in place of the regular bitter.
- Go to a quality liquor store to see what they recommend for bourbon. There are bourbon connoisseurs virtually everywhere.
- If you don't feel like a straight up drink, you can make an "on the rocks" Manhattan in the same way. Skip the shaking and add ice to a double old-fashion glass. Stir before drinking.
Warnings
- Don't use the light vermouth that is used in martinis. If you don't have vermouth, then drink your bourbon on the rocks instead.
Things You'll Need
- Martini shaker or mixer glass
- Glasses (martini or double old fashioned)
- Standard shot glass for measuring
- Chopping board and knife
- Cocktail swivel stick
- Horseshoe/cocktail strainer
- Barspoon or long spoon
- Angostura bitters
