Manhattan

FORMULATION

To make 1 cocktail

3/4 ounce sweet vermouth

2 1/2 ounces blended whiskey

A dash of Angostura bitters

2 to 3 ice cubes 1 maraschino cherry

1 strip orange peel

PROCEDURE

Combine the vermouth, whiskey, bitters and ice cubes in a mixing glass. With a bar spoon, stir gently, or you will "bruise" the spirits and cloud the drink. Place the cherry in the chilled cocktail glass, put a strainer on top of the mixing glass, and pour into a chilled glass. Twist the orange peel over the drink to release its oil, and rub the cut edge of the peel around the inner rim of the glass, but do not drop it in.

RESULTS

When I tell you this was so close to being a 5/5, believe me. Manhattans are such a classic and I really enjoyed this recipe. My only comments are I'd like to drop the orange peel in with the drink and I added some ice to my drink as well. Other than that, perfection! Oh and I use both the orange and I guess classic Angostura bitters, just a dash of each, maybe two dashes if you feel like it.

Also 1/2 Tbsp is equivalent to 1/4 ounce, so I added three tablespoons vermouth.

Side note I left this glass in my freezer chilled for 2+ weeks. I like to keep a glass in there chilling for when I need it and I left my apartment to go home for Thanksgiving and decided to just keep it in there. So naturally first drink back needed to required a chilled cocktail glass so Manhattan it was. Cheers!

DISCUSSION

Shout out to my grandmother, this post is dedicated to her. A Manhattan is her favorite drink and I have the best memories drinking them with her (and hopefully many more memories to come). My grandpa will mix up a big batch and pour it into an old bourbon or vermouth bottle which he then keeps chilling in the fridge. Genius and soo convenient (maybe a little too convenient). Below are a few pictures of my grandparents and Manhattans that make me smile. I hope they encourage you to go visit your grandparents and make them their favorite drink, enjoy that first sip together, and share in their company while you can :) cheers!