I’ll Take Manhattan

The Manhattan is a classic cocktail that has been enjoyed for over a century. The drink is said to have originated in the late 1800s in Manhattan, New York City, and was originally made with rye whiskey. The exact origin of the cocktail is a matter of some debate, with several stories circulating about its creation.

One popular legend suggests that the Manhattan was first created at the Manhattan Club in New York City in the 1870s. The club was hosting a political event for presidential candidate Samuel J. Tilden, and a bartender by the name of Black created the drink in his honor, using rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. Another story claims that the drink was first made by a bartender named Martini at the Knickerbocker Hotel in New York City in the early 1900s.

One of musical legends Rodgers and Hart’s best known songs “Manhattan” was written in 1926 for the Broadway musical The Garrick Gaieties, paying sometimes ironic tribute to the natural beauty of a city that (then as now) tended to empty out during the hot sweltering summer months. In the song, the singer looks forward to being with his or her significant other and having the metropolis of Manhattan seemingly all to themselves.

The song has since been interpreted by dozens of artists, from names like Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett and Steve Tyrell. Recently Sir Rod Stewart with Bette Midler performed one of the finest duet versions of the song.

Regardless of its origin, the Manhattan cocktail quickly became a popular drink, and by the early 20th century, it was a staple of cocktail culture in the United States. Over time, the recipe for the Manhattan evolved, with some bartenders using bourbon instead of rye whiskey and others adding cherry liqueur or other ingredients to the mix.

Today, the classic recipe for a Manhattan typically calls for two parts rye whiskey, one part sweet vermouth, and a dash of bitters. The ingredients are stirred together with ice and strained into a chilled glass, and a cherry is often added as a garnish. The Manhattan remains a beloved cocktail among cocktail enthusiasts and continues to be enjoyed around the world.

Here’s a recipe for a classic Manhattan cocktail:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz rye whiskey or bourbon
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
• Maraschino cherry for garnish
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add the whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters.
3. Stir the mixture until it’s well chilled.
4. Strain the drink into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with a cherry and serve.

Note: Some variations of the Manhattan cocktail call for different types of whiskey, such as Canadian whiskey or Tennessee whiskey. I honestly prefer rye whiskey for this cocktail as it has adds a spicy kick to your Manhattan experience. You can also adjust the amount of bitters to your preference, and some like to add a splash of the cherry juice from the garnish to the drink for extra zing.