Month: April 2020

Let’s Stir Up a Manhattan!

Swanning Around Manhattan

There are some classic cocktails that everyone has heard of.  The Martini.  The Old Fashioned.  Gimlet.  And, of course, the Manhattan. 

This year, for the 2020 Woodford Reserve Manhattan Experience Competition, I created MY version of the perfect Manhattan.  I was picked to go to the regionals in Columbus – and, like so many other events, it was postponed until the fall because of the Covid19. 

So, before I share my recipe with you, I want to talk Manhattan.  All in all, this is a simple cocktail.  Three ingredients.  You don’t even have to garnish it.  You can serve it in a beautiful martini glass.  Or in a double old fashioned glass over a giant ice cube.  Like so many of the “Classics” there are no hard and fast rules anymore.  You can experiment until you find exactly how you like it – just be sure to communicate clearly with your bartender if you want YOUR perfect Manhattan out at your favorite bar.

Whiskey.  Vermouth.  Bitters.  That’s all there is too it.  Traditionally – Rye Whiskey, Sweet Vermouth, and Angostura Bitters. 

Now, I’m not a huge fan of Rye, I prefer a rich, smooth Bourbon.  I used Woodford Reserve.  It mixes well, and holds up to the other strong flavors in the Manhattan.

Sweet Vermouth… I’ve liked it, in small quantities.  I tend to find it too heavy and overpowering in cocktails.  So I used a mix of Rosso and Bianco Vermouth.  Bianco Vermouth is a bit sweeter than Dry Vermouth, and has some beautiful floral, citrus notes that help to carry some brighter tasting notes to the front of the Manhattan.  If you haven’t found a Vermouth that you love yet, keep trying.  Go to a well-stocked liquor or wine store, and just peruse the many brands.  Each brand has a distinct flavor profile.  Do a little bit of research and pick one or two to try.  I like Martini & Rossi and Dolin.  (And PLEASE, once you open your vermouth PLEASE store it in the refrigerator!)

Angostura Bitters.  They’re great.  If those are the only bitters you have, use them!  Your Manhattan will still be delicious.  If you have other bitters (You can find some great bitters variety packs on Amazon.) play around with the ones you like the best.  Cherry Bitters would be great.  Or even Chocolate.  For my Manhattan I used both Orange and Lemon Bitters.  I like highlighting the citrus notes that appear throughout my ingredients in this cocktail.

So, without further ado –

Swanning Around Manhattan

  • 2 oz Woodford Reserve
  • .25 oz Martini & Rossi Rosso Vermouth
  • .25 oz Martini & Rossi Bianco Vernmout
  • 2-3 drops Orange Bitters
  • 2-3 drops Lemon Bitters

In a mixing glass combine all ingredients.  Add ice.  Stir to properly chill and dilute.  Approximately 10 seconds.  Strain into a Double Old-Fashioned glass over a large ice cube.  Garnish with an orange peel.  (If you have a Luxardo cherry, through it in there!  Those cherries are delicious!)  Enjoy!

How do you put your own personal touch on a classic cocktail?

Lucky 36

There are so many celebrations that we are missing out on in this topsy-turvy, social distancing, quarantined world.  Birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations and more.  Opportunities to see and celebrate with family- opportunities that, even if postponed, are gone forever.  As we find our way in what is becoming the new “normal” we find ways to make those moments special.  My birthday was at the end of March.  And it will definitely be one that I will always remember.

I’ve had some pretty amazing birthdays.  Last year, when I turned 35, my Partner-In-Crime planned an overnight to one of the Casino Riverboats in Indiana and surprised me with a stop at the Neely Family Distillery for a tasting and I got to bottle my own bourbon. 

The year before we went to Columbus for another overnight.  After stopping on the way at Hardees for my favorite Hot Ham and Cheese, I knew we weren’t rushing to a restaurant.  After checking in to the hotel, he rushed me out the door and surprised me (with help from one of our most fantastic liquor reps) with a private tour of Middle West Spirits Distillery and dinner at their restaurant.  They are, hands down, one of my favorite distilleries ever- you have to try their Oyo Vodka, especially the Honey-Vanilla Bean. 

My 30th was a trip to Las Vegas.  Super, over-the-top, fancy-pants seafood buffets.  Blackjack.  And a Battleground Vegas 80’s Action Movie shooting experience.

My birthday this year was just as memorable, if not more so.  This year, my 36th Birthday happened on day 3 of Ohio’s “Shelter-in-Place” order.  No surprise trips.  No fabulous restaurant meal.  No distillery visit.  Not even a get together at O’Neal’s with my amazing friends. 

This year was quiet.  Was slow.  It was a time to look around and really think about everything I’ve accomplished in the past year.  This year the weather was warm, a spring breeze was blowing.  Change and growth were in the air.  And all I wanted was to go for a walk and have a picnic.  I wanted to enjoy the fresh air and get a nice dose of Vitamin D.

 My Partner-in-Crime took me to Fresh Market, we got a rotisserie chicken that they very kindly cut into pieces for us, the best chocolate chip cookies, mac’n’cheese, risotto cakes, and spicy crab- cucumber sushi.  All of my favorites!  Then we went to a local park and we watched the ducks and picnicked in the sun.  We finished the experience with a cake/card hand off with my parents.  It was so nice to see them, even at a distance.

Once back home I knew I wanted to make myself a super extra-special Birthday Cocktail. 

I call this one-

*Lucky 36*

  • Bubbly Brut Cuvee
  • 1 small scoop Aglamesis Champagne Italian Ice
  • 2-3 drops Lemon Bitters
  • 3-4 drops Orange Flower Water

In your favorite coupe glass, place scoop Champagne Italian Ice.  Fill glass with Brut Cuvee.  Top with Bitters and Orange Flower Water.  Garnish with a fresh strawberry or raspberry, if you have one.

It was my birthday; I couldn’t have just one.  So next one I made was a riff on one of my all time guilty pleasure drinks.

*Not-So-Cosmo*

  • 1.5 ounces Tito’s Vodka
  • 4-5 Drops Orange Flower Water
  • 3-4 Drops Lemon Bitters
  • 2.5 ounces Ocean Spray Pink Cranberry Juice

In a mixing glass combine all ingredients, add ice and stir to combine.  Strain into a chilled coupe and garnish with a lime wheel.  Enjoy in the Springtime sun!

*** I want to make certain to note that my birthday adventure 2020 occurred before the stricter Shelter-In-Place recommendations by the CDC and State of Ohio went in to place.