Artisan Bistro's Own Rat Pack, Baby!

If not for being born a few decades too late, and having no talent, I like to think that I would have been a member of the Rat Pack.  I mean, what close-knit group of mega stars wouldn’t benefit from the addition of an amusing, chubby, half-Asian guy, right?  While my dreams of joining the Rat Pack are on hold until human cloning is perfected, and I get my hands on viable DNA, I can still celebrate The Boys thanks to the gang behind the bar at Lafayette’s Artisan Bistro.

Keeping the spirit alive is the Rat Pack Manhattan, placed on the menu by Maitre d’/Bartender Edris Noor, and mixed for me during a recent visit by Bartender Mike Merriman.  Their cocktail is a well-named version of the Manhattan because, just like the Rat Pack, this name-sake cocktail colors outside the lines.  A traditional Manhattan is structure around rye whiskey, but the one mixed up at Artisan features bourbon as its main spirit.  I’ve tried Artisan’s Fly Me To The Moon, which is a more traditional version of the Manhattan, so I was excited to try something more out of the box.

Now, the restaurant’s Michelin Guide recommendation speaks to the world-class caliber of food at Artisan, but the featured cocktails like, From Paris With Love and the Onassis Filthy Martini, are second to none.  And in spite of wandering away from the traditional structure of a Manhattan, the Rat Pack delivers a stage show worthy of its name.

A traditional Manhattan is an artfully balanced drink that brings together the big, raw flavor of rye whiskey, sweetness from sweet vermouth, and bitterness from Angostura bitters.  The mark of a well-crafted riff on a traditional recipe is the ability to preserve the soul of the original while adding personality.  And, just as Artisan’s food delivers on that goal, its cocktails hit the mark, as well.  The Rat Pack Manhattan still delivers a good hearty flavor from the bourbon, just as a traditional recipe brings with rye.  What’s really fun about the Rat Pack recipe is how the orange notes from the blood orange bitters and Grand Marnier banter back and forth between the tang from the bitters and sweetness of the vermouth.  If you’re a Manhattan fan, it’s definitely an engaging change of pace.

                                                   Rat Pack Manhattan

                                                         Ingredients

* 2 oz. Bourbon  * 1 oz. Sweet Vermouth  * ½ oz. Dry Vermouth  * ½ oz. Grand Marnier  * 3-5 dashes of Blood Orange Bitters

Pour the ingredients into a shaker with ice (Mike uses a pint glass for added “street cred”).  Stir vigorously, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.  Garnish with a cherry and lemon peel.  Or, just head down to Artisan and enjoy.  I big thank you to Chef/Owner John Marquez for letting me clutter up his house, as well as Edris Noor and Mike Merriman for mixing it up.

Check out some more booze-related fun at 30-Second Bartender.com!  And, don’t forget to give a “like” on Facebook.

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