The Classic Manhattan
- nathan
- cocktails
- Serves: 1 Serving
- Prep Time: 0 mins
- Cooking: 3 mins
- Total Time: 3 min
Ladies and gentleman, it is my pleasure to write this post. The Classic Manhattan, as seen directly above, has been one of the greatest experience builders of our culinary careers. It was the first cocktail we learned how to make, it was the first cocktail we could afford to make at home, and it was the first one we began to share with friends. You know when you have a really funny story, or a great memory, how it tends to surface when everyone else is sharing funny stories? Maybe one or two people sharing the stories have already heard the one you're about to tell, but you know there are still a few people who don't know this thing about you? Well for us, that is the manhattan.
We have used the manhattan to introduce people to whiskey, start off our dinner parties, and even sip on around lit candles and quiet conversation. The drink is as timeless as the experiences we have had while drinking it. I mean, to share one more note on this, it is the drink I had to prepare myself to ask for my wife's hand in marriage! For those of you that aren't married, a nice manhattan will give you a new found voice when asking a father for his daughter's hand in marriage (btw, thanks for saying yes John). To conclude, I ask that you try this cocktail on behalf of us, and that it might bring to you the same funny stories, memories, and great conversations that it has brought us.
Ingredients
Directions
Chill a martini glass in the freezer (or really any glass cup/mug/glassware). If you have no room in the freezer, or no freezer, you can cheat by just filling the glass full of ice cubes and filling it with water. This will chill the glass quickly and when you are ready to complete the drink, you just discard the water and ice.
While the glass chills, add the Rye Whiskey and the Sweet Vermouth in a separate cup or glass that is filled with ice. Stir gently 30 times in each direction. DO NOT SHAKE IT. Why, you ask? Well check out the answer in our blog, Secrets, as we explain The Mystery: Shaken vs. Stirred.
Finally, once you stir the whiskey and vermouth together, shake in the bitters and stir once or twice more in each direction. Not over-stirring the bitters will let them remain more aromatic and make for a more appealing drink.
Strain the manhattan into the chilled glass, drop in the cherry if you so choose, and voila! Also, feel free to play the song linked here and by golly you'll be in manhattan in a New York minute!
