I have this fantastic little cocktail book that I found in my Grandmother’s house. Published in 1944, it’s called The Standard Cocktail Guide by Crosby Gaige. The subtitle is A Manual of Mixed Drinks Written for the American Host. This little book contains a ton of recipes for classic cocktails. As I was thumbing, through it, I decided to make a few of the recipes for classic cocktails that I have never made before.
Since the holidays are a time for nostalgia, I thought this would be the perfect time to share a few of these timeless cocktails with you. This week, I am starting with the classic Manhattan Cocktail. This bracing drink is often referred to as the grandfather of American cocktails. There are many variations and offspring of this spirited concoction, but I decided to follow the recipe from the book I mentioned above.
Made with rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters, this cherry-garnished cocktail is perfect for pairing with salty hors d’oeuvres like the Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus I shared earlier this week.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces rye whiskey
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 Maraschino cherry
Instructions
- Fill a mixing glass with cubed ice.
- Add rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters.
- Stir gently until well chilled.
- Place a cherry in a coupe or martini glass.
- Strain cocktail over the cherry.