To make a Manhattan cocktail, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 ounces rye whiskey or bourbon
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
- Ice
- Orange peel or cherry for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Fill a mixing glass with ice.
- Add the rye or bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters to the mixing glass.
- Stir the ingredients until well combined and chilled, about 30 seconds.
- Strain the cocktail into a chilled glass.
- Garnish with an orange peel or cherry, if desired.
Note: You can use a shaker instead of a mixing glass, if you prefer. Just make sure to strain the cocktail into a glass before serving. Enjoy!
There are several variations of the Manhattan cocktail that you can try:
- Dry Manhattan: This version uses dry vermouth instead of sweet vermouth.
- Perfect Manhattan: This version uses equal parts sweet and dry vermouth.
- Brandy Manhattan: This version substitutes brandy for the whiskey or bourbon.
- Rob Roy: This version uses Scotch whisky instead of rye or bourbon, and is often served on the rocks.
- Red Hook: This version adds a small amount of maraschino liqueur to the mix.
- Brooklyn: This version adds a small amount of Amer Picon, a French bitter liqueur, to the mix.
- Caribbean Manhattan: This version adds a small amount of pineapple juice and dark rum to the mix.
- Black Manhattan: This version uses Averna, an Italian amaro, instead of sweet vermouth.
These are just a few examples of the many variations of the Manhattan cocktail that you can try. Experiment with different ingredients and ratios to find the version that you like best!
The exact origins of the Manhattan cocktail are uncertain, but it is generally believed to have been created in the late 1800s at the Manhattan Club in New York City. The cocktail was served at a banquet hosted by Lady Randolph Churchill, the mother of future British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
There are a few different stories about the creation of the Manhattan cocktail, but it is generally accepted that it was invented by a bartender named Black at the Manhattan Club. The original recipe called for equal parts rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters, served over ice and garnished with a cherry.
Over the years, the Manhattan cocktail has become a classic cocktail enjoyed by many people around the world. It is typically made with rye or bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters, and can be served straight up or on the rocks. It is often garnished with a cherry or an orange peel.