Manhattan

Easy to make and easy to drink, the Manhattan is a staple cocktail for every bartender. It is a near relative to Martinis, since the ingredients are very similar except that this uses whiskey and bourbon instead of vodka or gin. You can make it dry, sweet or “perfect”, depending on your tastes (so mix up the following recipe until you find your sweet spot… pun kind of intended). Use a strong bourbon/whiskey for the Manhattan to get the truest version of the cocktail possible.

A Basic Manhattan

2 oz bourbon/whiskey
1 oz vermouth (sweet or dry, depending on your tastes)
2 dashes bitters

Fill cocktail shaker half-way with ice. Add ingredients. Stir. Strain into martini glass if serving it up, or into a rocks glass with ice if served on the rocks. Garnish with a cherry.

To make a “perfect” Manhattan, do 1/2 oz sweet vermouth and 1/2 oz of dry vermouth.

If you’d like to give a nod to The Big Apple, try the Apple Manhattan.