Manhattan

The most popular tale of the Manhattan’s creation takes place in the 1860s at the Manhattan Club in New York City. The story goes that a bartender named Dr. Iain Marshall created the drink for a banquet hosted by Governor Samuel J. Tilden. The drink was so popular that it became a signature cocktail of the club. However, some skeptics question the accuracy of this story, as the Manhattan Club claims it was founded in 1865, and the cocktail’s popularity seems to have started a few years earlier.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz (60 ml) bourbon or rye whiskey

  • 1 oz (30 ml) sweet vermouth

  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters (or any bitters you prefer)

  • Ice

  • Maraschino cherry or lemon twist (for garnish)

Instructions:

  1. Chill the glass: Begin by chilling your glass. You can either place it in the freezer or fill it with ice water while preparing the cocktail.

  2. Mix the drink: In a mixing glass, combine the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. Fill the mixing glass with ice.

  3. Stir: Stir the ingredients well for about 20-30 seconds to chill and properly dilute the drink.

  4. Strain: Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe or martini glass, discarding the ice.

  5. Garnish: Garnish with a maraschino cherry and a lemon twist, depending on your preference.