Name: Manhattan
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 50 ml whiskey (preferably Starward); 20 ml sweet (red) vermouth; 2 dashes Angostura bitters; To garnish: maraschino cherry

One of the great drinks. Like the Old Fashioned, it was traditionally made with American whiskey, but it stands up to variations with Australian whisky (we suggest Starward), Scotch (the Rob Roy), brandy and dark rum. Vermouth is the modifying agent here. Using sweet vermouth alone makes a sweet Manhattan, dry vermouth makes – yes – a dry Manhattan, while equal parts of both makes what is known as a Perfect Manhattan.

If you’ve got any Punt e Mes, Amer Picon or other amaro-like bittersweet concoctions lying around, try them in place of the sweet vermouth component. The best maraschino cherries for the garnish we’ve found locally are from Luxardo (we’ve found them for sale online at nicks.com.au). Some drinkers enjoy a splash of the syrup from the jar in the mix, somewhat like using olive brine in a Dirty Martini.

Ingredients

50 ml whiskey (preferably Starward)

20 ml sweet (red) vermouth

2 dashes Angostura bitters

To garnish: maraschino cherry

Method

Main

1.Add whiskey, vermouth and bitters to an ice-filled shaker or bar glass and stir well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, garnish with a cherry and serve cold.

Pat Nourse

Ingredients

Method

Main

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