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?