January 11, 2005
Manhatten Recipe
Someone came by here, as often happens, looking for a Manhatten recipe. I could not believe that I do not have one posted, as I am quite proud of my Manhatten. The recipe was from my great uncle, who made a great Manhatten, even though he did not put bitters in his (I found out from another uncle who is also a bartender that bitters and whatnot were ommitted from many recipes in the 1950's when cocktails made a comeback and barkeeps had to save time. No excuse, I say). Bitters are important, and make it a greater Manhatten, although let's not call it that, because people might think we are talking about Staten Island, and we are not talking about Staten Island (which is really greater New Jersey)
2 parts bourbon (or better, rye)
1 part sweet red vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters
1 dollop of the juice from your cherries (the best are the Italian candied cherries, but you can use standard maraschino cherries, too)
Put all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously until chilled. Serve up in chilled martini glasses and garnish with a cherry (essential) and a slice of orange (optional, but very nice). Drink two before dinner (or one if you are a lightweight). If you drink three, don't come whining to me about the consequences. I warned you.
Posted by erik at January 11, 2005 4:28 PM | TrackBackThe best Manhatten I have ever tried was at Royal India restAurant in San Diego.
Royalindia.com
One of my previous Captains (I'm in the Navy) got me hooked on Crown Royal Manhattens. Then I found out it was my Grandmothers favorite drink also. Now, for the last seven years every time we talk we ask what the other one is drinking and almost every time we both have a manhatten in our hand. I can't wait to try your version, it sound delicious.
Posted by: at June 15, 2006 5:51 PMYeh, I came here looking for a Manhatten recipe. Just made one and it is mighty good. Haven't had one since my teen days with girlfriends parents. Brings back good memories ah.
Posted by: al craig at November 18, 2005 5:51 PMThere is nothing horrible about a good 100% blue agave tequila straight up. In fact, if you stick to that you will not have to worry about hangovers. It is true. One night at a wedding we put down a lot of very good reposado tequila. Stayed up til 5 am and woke up the next morning ready to go to the bullfight.
That Cuervo stuff, on the other hand, is almost half rum and will give you a nasty headache the next morning.
As for gin and aftershave, I would avoid any aftershave that smelled like gin. I might be too tempted to make a martini with it!
Posted by: Erik Keilholtz at January 18, 2005 10:52 PMI don't drink much any more. A little champagne now and again, some wine, a really, really cold beer if we're at a country bar, dancing.
I like some "girlie" drinks, but I don't really consider them drinks--anything that comes looking like a slurpee shouldn't be called a drink.
Only thing I drink straight up? Tequila (horrors!) and bourbon (I am a Texan, you know). I like Rum and Coca-cola, because it reminds me of 1940's music.
Never was really sold on gin, though all our friends drink gin and tonic like it is going out of style. I can't get past the smell. Gin smells like men's aftershave to me.
Go figure.
Posted by: MamaT at January 18, 2005 8:34 PMThis really takes me back. The only people I ever knew who drank Manhattans were my parents. At one time I actually knew how to mix them as my father had trained us to make his favorite end-of-the-day cocktail. I haven't thought of them in years.
Posted by: Julie D. at January 12, 2005 7:00 AMYeah, a Manhatten is a strong drink for a beginner. Do you drink them now?
Posted by: Erik Keilholtz at January 12, 2005 12:15 AMOh, this makes me laugh! I grew up out in West Texas in a "dry" town--no alcohol. I went to school at a high school so dominated by two church groups (not Catholic!) that we didn't even have school dances or a prom. A town that had a college that didn't allow boys and girls to swim together, ever.
So, I had never had a drink before I went to college.
My roommate's dad was an Air Force muckety muck from D.C. He came down to visit her, and took us to a muy swank place for dinner. We, of course, were to have pre-dinner cocktails.
Never having had a pre-dinner, or any other, cocktail, I was stumped, and what jumped out of my mouth? "I'll have a Manhattan."
He looked at me like I was a loon. "Are you sure?"
"Oh, yes, sir."
Gulp. One Manhattan later, I was definitely trying to hold it together until the food got there. I think he was smiling into his martini.
If I had had two, he would have had to carry me back to the dorm room.
Posted by: MamaT at January 11, 2005 7:32 PM