Classic Cocktail of the Week: Manhattan

Classic Manhattan Cocktail with Real Maraschino Cherries

Like most classic cocktail histories, the real origin of the Manhattan is a bit murky. There’s a chance that the Manhattan was invented at the Manhattan Club in New York, and the club’s official history makes that claim. According to this version of the legend, the recipe was created there for a party thrown in 1874 by Jennie Jerome (Lady Randolph Churchill, Winston Churchill’s mother.)  

Whoever first conjured up the Manhattan, integrating American whiskey—straight rye was probably the spirit of choice in the 19th century, though bourbon is quite acceptable today—with sweet vermouth and aromatic bitters, came up with a drink that is truly spectacular.

A Manhattan, being bourbon based, is an excellent accompanying drink for a hearty entree and stands up well to steak or barbeque. Check out our “Cuisine Match” tool for more suggestions.

• Ice
• 2 parts bourbon
• 1 part sweet vermouth
• 1 to 2 dashes Angostura bitters,
• Orange peel
• Real Maraschino Cherries, (recipe follows)

Place ice in a cocktail shaker. Add the whiskey, vermouth and bitters. Rub the orange peel around the rim of the cocktail glass. Strain the drink into the glass. Add 1 to 2 Real Maraschino Cherries and enjoy!

Real Maraschino Cherries:

Why put up with those bottled, somewhat suspect, maraschino cherries, when you can make your own way more delicious, authentic ones?

• 1 cup maraschino liqueur
• 1 pint sour cherries, stemmed and pitted

Bring the liqueur to a simmer, and then turn off the heat. Add the cherries, stir, let cool, and then pour into jars. Refrigerate. Cherries will be tasty for months.

That’s it for this week.  Enjoying our “Classic Cocktails” series? Let us know! We always love hearing from you.

Thanks,

Metro West Wines