This Manhattan drink recipe was my grandma's favorite of all Italian drinks. She wasn't much of a drinker through out the year. But every Christmas she had a Manhattan while cooking the big spread. While she was cooking away - she would sneak me sips when I was young. It's a sweet memory. But I have to say, I could never love this like my grandma did.
The key ingredient in a Manhattan drink recipe is the sweet vermouth. It's your focal point. As for the whiskey, I think any old whiskey will do, but the original calls for an American whiskey.
Some of the ingredients might be a little foreign to you - but they are NOT hard to find. They are standards in our Italian drinks and most liquor stores carry all of these. So, keep reading... I answered a few questions about angostura bitters, and Italian vermouth in the section below. And there are a few substitutions listed also.
So grandma, this one's for you even though it wasn't my favorite of all time favorites to drink. I think about you when I write about it. I think about you when I go back and glance at this page a couple times each year. May you rest in peace.
Thank you for stopping by my site ~
* 2 1/2 ozs. whiskey
* 1 oz. sweet red vermouth
* Dash of angostura bitters
* Maraschino cherry (Garnish)
* Stirred over ice.
* Strain into a chilled glass.
* Garnish (My grandma always had a cherry).
* Serve straight up.
* This becomes a quick fix once you have your bar stocked. :-)
Angostura bitters isn't really an alcohol. Well, there's not much in it. It's a mixture of a tad of alcohol, gentian root (a pretty little root with a flower), and vegetable extracts. It's also used in an old fashioned cocktail recipe.
Hmmmmm. Well that is kinda what gives it a unique flavor. You might find it bland without it. But you're the boss.
Just wine with added herbs.
Nope. To keep this a classic Italian drink and really get what you are looking for - a true Manhattan cocktail, you need to make sure not only to get red vermouth - but SWEET red vermouth.
Use more whiskey and less vermouth.
Use more vermouth and less whiskey.
Try a lemon peel. But you won't get the color like you do from the cherry. AND if you want the drink a little brighter add some cherry juice!
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