Embury's Basic Drinks: Manhattan

The Manhattan has been dubbed by alcohol-officianados as the "king of cocktails" or the drinking man's cocktail since it's strong, balanced, and simple. Not to mention it's typically made with American whiskey. Some stories have claimed that Winston Churchill's family invented the Manhattan, but later proved to be created by a bartender named Black at a bar in Manhattan on Broadway near Houston Street in 1860. I like that story better than Churchill's. Famous drinkers of this cocktail include Old Blue Eyes himself Frank Sinatra, and the Rat Pack. This cocktail has some of the most variations of recipes because it is one of the best cocktails for bartenders to show off their individual skills. Here is a basic recipe:

Ingredients:
2.5 oz Bourbon Whiskey
.75 oz Sweet Vermouth
1 dash Bitters
1 maraschino cherry and 1 twist orange peel

Directions:

Combine the vermouth, bourbon whiskey, and bitters with 2 - 3 ice cubes in a mixing glass. Stir gently, don't bruise the spirits and cloud the drink. Place the cherry in a chilled cocktail glass and strain the whiskey mixture over the cherry. Rub the cut edge of the orange peel over the rim of the glass and twist it over the drink to release the oils but don't drop it in. Take the drink, and learn why it's called the king of cocktails.

Variations: No bitters. Substitute a twist of lime for the cherry and orange. Hold the lime twist in a lighted match over the drink and then drop it in. The heat really zips up the lime flavor.