Tasty Tip 6

The Manhattan.

Image taken from Plan59, click here to go there.

I didn't like Manhattans when I first tried them with Makers Mark bourbon. Then Chuck ordered one at a hotel bar with Jack in it. All of a sudden, I was a Manhattan guy. I like it with Jameson and with Jack. Heck, I'd probably like it with Makers Mark if I tried one that way again now that I've acquired a taste.

Now there's some debate over the recipe. An older Mr. Boston bartender and party guide (from the 80s) says to make it with sweet vermouth and bourbon, and that's it. But a bartender awhile back said they've started making them with bitters. Well, I checked my more recent Mr. Boston (that Keith and Cathy gave us as a housewarming gift) and it says to add a dash of bitters (bitters is a preparation of herbs and citrus dissolved in alcohol or glycerine with a bitter or bittersweet flavor ... click here to see the wiki page). Personally I don't find it bitter. But I do like the subtle flavor change it makes to a Manhattan. So here's the recipe, with bitters, from the 2006 Mr. Boston:

2 ounces whiskey (rye or bourbon)
1/2 ounce sweet vermouth (or dry vermouth if you want a dry Manhattan)
1 dash Angostura Bitters

Stir with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry (or, it says, with an olive if you're using the dry vermouth).