If the Old Fashioned was the first cocktail, then the Manhattan was the younger sibling. Born in the Manhattan borough of New York in the late 1800s, the drink saw the introduction of vermouth to what had previously been known simply as a "Whisky Cocktail". This was a game changer and paved the way for increasingly innovative mixed drinks, especially ones featuring vermouth. Without the Manhattan, there would be no Martini!
You might find it interesting that the Manhattan likely gave the Old Fashioned cocktail its name. When the Manhattan was created, people started asking for an "Old Fashioned" to refer to the previous style of whisky cocktail.
What you need
- Four Roses Bourbon
- Sweet Vermouth
- Aromatic bitters
- Jigger and bar spoon
- Mixing glass and strainer
- Cocktail glass
- Cocktail cherry
- Ice cubes
Method
- Stir 50ml Four Roses, 25ml sweet vermouth and 2 dashes of aromatic bitters over ice in a mixing glass.
- Strain the mixture into a cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a cocktail cherry.