Message 17781 of 39188 in General Discussion

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> My home receipt for a Manhatten is as follows... 
> 
> 3 oz Maker's Mark Bourbon
> 1.5 oz Sweet Vermouth
> 2 dash bitters
> small splash of cherry juice
> 
> STIR with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
> 
> I know, I know, a lot of people will kill me for putting in the 
> cherry juice... but I like it and that is what matters.
> 
> I like the clear look and stronger taste with stirred cocktails.

A Maker's (or Knob Creek) Manhattan on the rocks (stirred) is my favorite 
drink.  Aside from the fact that I've honed this drink as a personal favorite 
it scores high marks among the people who order them from me.  A suggestion:

2 oz. Maker's
1/2 oz. sweet vermouth
1-2 dashes bitters (two is okay if it's a small bottle - the one I use in my 
bar is large and kicks out a lot in one shake so I only use a single dash).  
Cherry juice?  Okay, you said you like it but I would try one without 
occasionally, see if it grows on you.

Note that the crucial difference in this recipe is that I'm using a 4:1 
bourbon to vermouth ratio here.  A lot of bar books will call for a 2:1 or 3:1 
ratio with this cocktail.  Well my approach is that it depends on the whiskey. 
 The smoother and sweeter the whiskey, the less vermouth required to hit the 
optimal melding.  With Jim Beam I would do 2:1, with Crown Royal I would do 
3:1, with Maker's and Knob Creek I do 4:1.  Just something to think about.