Are you looking for an old school cocktail? Is 1870 old enough for you? The Manhattan is also known as the King of Cocktails and this drink has a great history behind it.
In the 1870’s Winston Churchill’s mother was hosting a party for then presidential candidate Samuel J. Tilden. Like a good hostess, she wanted signature cocktail to be served to the guests. This drink made with Whiskey, Vermouth and Bitters was created especially for the banquet and it was a big hit.
After that, people started asking for the drink by the name of the club where the party was held, The Manhattan Cocktail. Personally, I would have called it the Mother Churchill’s Cocktail but I wasn’t born for another 100 years, so I didn’t have a say in the matter.
Manhattan Drink Recipe
- 2.5 ounces Canadian Whiskey (Kentucky Bourbon or Rye can also be used)
- 1 ounce Sweet Vermouth
- Dash Angostura Bitters
- 1 Maraschino Cherry
Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice
Strain into a martini glass or an old fashioned glass on the rocks
Add Cherry
Variations:
Dry Manhattan – Make it with dry vermouth instead of sweet vermouth and serve it with a twist.
Perfect Manhattan – Make it with equal parts dry and sweet vermouth.
Bulleit Manhattan – Replace the Whiskey with Bulleit Bourbon.