Andrew Crighton
Editor-in-Chief
Last week the recipe was tiki, which is defined by sweetness and the ability to fill a whole punch bowl without any problems at all. This time we’re going to get a little classy. Classic and prohibition era cocktails are their entirely own category of drinks. They are usually defined by being comprised of almost only alcohol, very few ingredients and being balanced. Combining two or so hard liquors into a drink that is palatable with distinct layers of flavor is something that you have to learn.
The manhattan is one of my all time favorite cocktails. It has three ingredients, four if you count the cherry, and nothing else can better give you the illusion of being high class and wealthy.
It is strong and you have to be able to sip liquor in order to enjoy it. If you like sipping whiskey, this is perfect. If martinis or gin based drinks are more your speed this is a perfect way to start experimenting with good whiskey.
Something that should be taken note of, when you make a drink that contains four ingredients including the garnish, quality matters. You can make a manhattan with a $15 handle of canadian whiskey…but really…don’t. I promise you won’t like it, and that’s the whole point of cocktails, to experience and taste things that are worth drinking.
Manhattan
2 oz Rye whiskey (bourbon is great too)
1 oz Sweet vermouth
2 Dashes Angostura bitters
Combine ingredients with ice, stir, strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry. This recipe is super easy to remember because 212 happens to be the old area code for Manhattan, NY.
Now go get a little classy and sip a manhattan over after dinner conversation. Family Guy is great too.
