Manhattan
The Manhattan is a Cocktail consisting of Rye Whiskey, Vermouth, and Bitters.
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The Manhattan Story
A popular myth suggests that the drink originated at the Manhattan Club in New York City in the early 1870s, where it was invented at a banquet hosted by Jennie Jerome (Lady Randolph Churchill, Winston's mother) in honor of presidential candidate Samuel J. Tilden. Enjoyable as the tale might be, research has debunked it.
"The Manhattan was traditionally a rye drink, it was invented in NYC in the 1880's and we were a rye town. Jenny Jerome an American who married Lord Randolph Churchill commissioned the drink for a banquet in New York City at the Manhattan Club. Lady Churchill, Winston’s mother, had returned to New York to host a party for her late father’s best friend the newly elected governor of New York State, Samuel J. Tilden. Tilden, a Civil War general, Later ran for President and like Al Gore captured the popular vote but lost in the Electoral College."
Historical References
"THE OLD WALDORF-ASTORIA BAR BOOK", By Albert Stevens Crockett (1935)
MANHATTAN...Origin somewhat obscure. Probably first called after a well known club of that name, and not after an island famed for many years as the abode and domain of a certain "Tiger."
Historical Recipes
Jerry Thomas (1862)
- (Use small bar-glass.)
- Take 2 dashes of Curacoa or Maraschino.
- 1 pony of rye whiskey.
- 1 wine-glass of vermouth.
- 3 dashes of Boker's bitters.
- 2 small lumps of ice.
Shake up well, and strain into a claret glass. Put a quarter of a slice of lemon in the glass and serve. If the customer prefers it very sweet use also two dashes of gum syrup.
"The Flowing Bowl: What and When to Drink" by William Schmidt (1892)
Half a tumblerful of cracked ice,
- 2 dashes of gum,
- 2 dashes of bitters,
- 1 dash of absinthe,
- 2/3 drink of whiskey,
- 1/3 drink of vino vermouth.
- (A little maraschino may be added.)
Stir this well, strain, and serve.
"Drinks As They Are Mixed" by Paul E. Lowe (1904)
Use mixing glass. Ice, fine, fill glass.
- Syrup, 1/2 barspoonful.
- Angostura bitters, 1 dash.
- Vermouth, 1/2 jigger.
- Whiskey, 1/2 jigger.
- Lemon peel, 1 piece twisted.
Stir and strain into cool cocktail glass.
"Jack's Manual" by Jack Grohusko (1908)
- 1 dash Boker's bitters
- 50% Vermouth (Ballor)
- 50% rye whiskey
1/2 glass cracked ice. Stir, strain and serve
Other Recipes
Recipe: Max Allen, Jr
- 1 dash each of Angostura and Peychaud Bitters
- 1 splash Grenadine
- 1/2 oz. Sweet Vermouth
- 2-1/2 oz. Woodford Reserve Kentucky Bourbon
Fill mixing glass with ice, add the above ingredients and stir. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry.
"Max believes that this was invented at The Manhattan Club by Lady Churchill for Grover Cleveland's Inauguration. The dash of Grenadine is a signature from the legendary Hasenour's Restaurant (Louisville 1934-1996). They would make these up by the gallon for the weekend. The Grenadine was to keep the color right when made in 12 gallon batches. They would turn too dark with just the Bitters. The Grenadine also adds just the right amount of sweetness."
Recipe: Maker's Mark Manhattan Recipe
- 1 1/2 oz. Maker's Mark
- 1/2 oz. sweet vermouth
- 1 tsp. maraschino cherry juice
Fill a mixing glass or cocktail shaker 3/4 full with ice. Add Maker's Mark, a good quality sweet vermouth, and maraschino cherry juice. Shake or stir for about 30 seconds. Strain the mixture into your glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry or two.
