The Manhattan

Elegant and richly flavoured, the Manhattan is a drink made for savouring.

HISTORY

True to its namesake, the Manhattan is believed to have been invented in New York City. It may have been developed at the Manhattan Club in the 1870s, while other accounts tie it to a bar on Broadway near Houston Street. The earliest written mention of the drink appeared in 1882.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Opt for bourbon, such as Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey (LCBO 54866, $41.45), when you’re in the mood for something sweet. Choose a rye whisky, such as Rittenhouse Straight Rye Whisky 100 Bottled in Bond (LCBO 230813, $49.95), for a drier, more savoury cocktail.

TWISTS

Try replacing the vermouth with Averna Amaro (LCBO 570002, $27.10) for a pleasantly bitter twist. Or swap out the vermouth for 1/2 oz amaro and 1/2 oz cold brew coffee for a richer flavour profile. This variation, the Coffee Manhattan, is the LCBO’s October Cocktail of the Month; visit lcbo.com/fdcocktail to watch this drink being made.

Be sure to stir your Manhattan rather than shaking it. While both techniques effectively mix the ingredients, shaking also changes the texture of the drink and creates a cloudy appearance. This is the ideal effect for some cocktails, but not the Manhattan, which is meant to have a clean, crystal-clear aesthetic.