Love the Manhattan

article and photos by Steve Schul and Paul Zablocki, Cocktail Buzz

Deep in the heart of winter, February rolls around with a promise of love to warm you up. Another perfect way to warm up is with the cocktail we truly love, the Manhattan. It's the perfect antidote to a bitter-cold winter evening. It evokes age-old cocktail glamour and satisfies like nothing else. We love a two-to-one ratio of whiskey to sweet vermouth, with a dash or two of bitters. Beyond that, there is room to play. You can substitute Averna for the vermouth for a deep, rich Black Manhattan; or Mirto, a Sardinian sloe berry liqueur that adds almost a hint of menthol. Try mixing in a new whiskey variety for your own take on this enduring classic.

Manhattan
(Cocktail Buzz's preferred ratio)
  • 2 ounces rye whiskey (or bourbon)
  • 1 ounce sweet vermouth (we like Carpano Antica)
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  • maraschino cherry, for garnish.

Stir in ice for 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Add cherry.

Black Manhattan
  • 2 ounces rye whiskey (or bourbon)
  • 1 ounce Averna
  • 2 dashes Fee Brothers Whiskey Barrel-Aged bitters
  • maraschino cherry, for garnish.

Stir in ice for 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Add cherry.

Myrtle Manhattan
  • 3/4 ounces rye (we like Sazerac)
  • 3/4 ounces bourbon (we like Eagle Rare Single Barrel)
  • 3/4 ounces Mirto
  • dash Orange bitters
  • dash Peychauds bitters
  • maraschino cherry, for garnish.

 

Stir in ice for 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Add cherry.

Bacon-Wrapped Dates are a perfect pairing for any of these Manhattans, with the bonus of being incredibly easy to throw together.

The recipe:
  • 2 dozen dates
  • 12 slices bacon (we like regular or low-sodium)
  • almonds (optional)

You can either preheat oven to 350F or use an outdoor grill, with hot coals.

Cut the bacon in half and wrap a strip around each date. You can insert an almond into the dates through its natural hole if you desire, for added flavor.

Place the bacon-wrapped dates (with the seam side down) onto a lined baking sheet, or a grill pan if using an outdoor grill. Bake for 15 minutes, until the bacon looks crispy. If using an outdoor grill, flip the dates, cooking about 5 minutes on each side, or until the bacon looks crispy. Remove from heat and add toothpicks if you desire. Serves 6.

For more recipes, and for cocktail-party food pairings, visit us at CocktailBuzz.com.