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FRIDAY COCKTAIL: The Refined Simplicity Of The Manhattan

With a strong splash of bourbon, a touch of Angostura, the Manhattan has been seducing us with its refined simplicity for hundreds of years.

With a strong splash of bourbon, a touch of Angostura, the Manhattan has been seducing us with its refined simplicity for hundreds of years.

Some cannot tell the difference between a bourbon or whiskey (shame on you).

Others relish in the drop’s smoky sweetness.

Then there is a cult who, throughout the years, have used the corn mash-based liquor to mix one of the finest cocktails known to man – the Manhattan.
 

Origins

Judging by the name, it is pretty obvious that the Manhattan was concocted in, you guessed, Manhattan New York.

However, this drink is so Manhattan that the alchemy which brought forth the refined taste of a Manhattan was conducted in a club called Manhattan in the 1880s.

Allegedly, the drink was mixed to please the upper-tiered tastes of Lady Randolph, Winston Churchill’s mother.

However, on closer inspection of the legend, Lady Randolph was in merry old England giving birth to her revered son at the time the folk tale, and drink, were concocted.

The more realistic version of the fable is that the drink was created by William F. Mulhall, bartender from the world-renowned Hoffman House.

Another claims the Manhattan reared its beautiful stemmed neck during Prohibition as a tasty little way to disguise the alcoholic content.

All in all, we guarantee that you won’t care where the drink comes from or where it’s going after you’ve had a few fine sips of its smoky greatness.

 

Recipe

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Image Source: uk.thebar.com

70ml bourbon whiskey

30 ml sweet vermouth

2-3 dashes Angostura bitters

Maraschino cherry for garnish

Orange peel for garnish

 

Directions


1. Fill a martini glass to the brim with ice so it chills while you make the Manhattan.

2. Add whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters to a shaker or glass with a few ice cubes, and then stir or gently shake. Do not over do it, you do not want the ice to water down the drink.

3. Discard ice from martini glass then strain Manhattan into the chilled glass and garnish with a cherry and orange peel.