Make The Perfect Manhattan Cocktail At Home

Fall is my favourite time of year, mainly because it’s chilly enough to enjoy a delicious whisky-based cocktail. I’ve finally come around to enjoying the Manhattan cocktail. It took time, just like my enjoyment of whisky, but now I like the taste. And recently, I’ve experimented on how to make the perfect Manhattan drink at home.

My husband and I enjoy a drink once a week on the weekends. After our son has gone to sleep, we enjoy some “us time” over a cocktail. I take out the bar tools, my bitters, whisky or gin and whip up a drink for the two of us.

The Manhattan cocktail is one that I like as it’s not only a classic, but also very simple to make. For those who aren’t straight whisky fans, the best way to enjoy this type of liquor is in a drink. Why not enjoy it in something sophisticated and delicious?

The History of the Manhattan Cocktail

While it may seem like a new cocktail, given it’s popularity in the 1960s and recent revival, the Manhattan is much older. As legend goes, it originated in New York City’s Manhattan Club in around 1880. Some say that it was invented in 1894 for Winston Churchill’s mother, socialite Jennie Jerome, for a party she was hosting for the election of Samuel Tilden as governor.

Although we may not ever know the real origins of the drink, the recipe back then was very similar to the Manhattan cocktail we enjoy today.

The earlier version used a spicier rye whiskey. However, the more recent version is typically made with American rye whiskey.  Sweet Italian Vermouth and a few dashes of bitters round out the ingredient list. It’s often garnished with a brandied cherry.

Make The Manhattan at Home

This Manhattan recipe is one that bartenders around the world use. And now you can recreate it at home!

While you may or may not have American whiskey on hand, a bourbon or even a Canadian whisky are a very good alternative.

I’ve always enjoyed my Manhattan cocktail with Canadian whisky, because, I’m Canadian, eh! 

Well, there’s also the reason that Canadian whisky is so delicious as a substitute to American whiskey. For nights where you want something a bit spicier, choose a 100% rye whisky.

INGREDIENTS

2 dashes Angostura bitters

1 dash orange bitters

2 oz bourbon or whiskey (or Canadian whisky)

1 oz sweet vermouth

1 brandied cherry for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

• Chill a champagne coupe glass or cocktail class with a couple of ice cubes. You can also use a lowball glass as an alternative.
• In a cocktail mixing glass or shaker, add ice. Add all ingredients and stir until they are well mixed.
• Strain into the chilled glass. Garnish with a brandied cherry.

Makes one serving. Cheers!

Tips For Ingredients

If you’re going for quality garnishes for your Manhattan drink, bypass the usual Maraschino cherry. They are often way too sweet and candied. What’s served in the better bars and restaurants are usually cherries such as Luxardo cherries – “the original Maraschino cherry.”

While it may be difficult to purchase these cherries at your local grocery store, many specialty retailers for barware and cocktail items in Canada carry them and other brands.

What I use in a pinch is preserved cherries in a light syrup – I just rinse off the syrup. There are many Eastern European brands of preserved cherries that are available in deli stores and ethnic grocery stores. For anybody in the Toronto/Hamilton areas, try out Starsky for their good selection of Polish and other Eastern European cherries. Denningers also carries Central European versions.

Do you enjoy a Manhattan cocktail? What is your favourite whisky drink? 

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