A Manhattan cocktail is like your favorite winter sweater. Though old with a little wear and tear, it's warm, cozy and comforting. It's tempting to be lured in by the new recipes (or that new sweater) that add anything from chocolate bitters to sherry to aged tequila but it's just not the same. After all, it's a classic cocktail for a reason.
But being us, we're divided on just the right recipe. I'm a classic guy myself, preferring rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and angostura bitters. Of course, she finds my recipe to be too sweet and prefers the perfect manhattan which calls for the addition of dry vermouth. Then there's the rye. I like Rittenhouse while she likes New Southern Revival by High Wire. But we both agree it should be served well chilled and enjoyed over a long, chilly evening.
His Ingredients - The Classic
2 1/2 oz Rye whiskey
3/4 oz Sweet vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Brandied cherry and lemon twist
Chill a Nick & Nora or coupe glass. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, stir all the ingredients, except garnish until well chilled. Strain into your chilled glass and garnish with cherry & lemon.
Her Ingredients - The Perfect
2 oz Rye whiskey
1/2 oz Sweet vermouth
1/2 oz Dry vermouth
Brandied cherry
Chill a Nick & Nora or coupe glass. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, stir all the ingredients, except garnish until well chilled. Strain into your chilled glass and garnish with a cherry.
Happy drinking!