How to Make a Manhattan Cocktail
This is a brief overview of how to make this delicious and simple cocktail. For the full recipe with all of the measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post. But maybe there is never enough when you are losing someone you love. My mom passed away two days later. When I found out, I was nursing my newborn son who was a few hours old. What a gift to be in that special sacred space at the time. I still can’t think about these two moments without crying. If you are in the thick of grief this holiday season, or if it has been twelve years (18 years, 35 years, etc.) and you are still easily brought to tears, please know that I get it. This year I did a lot of thinking about grief, and one thing I realized that helped me a lot is this: Grief is the counterpart to great love. Knowing that doesn’t always help . . . but sometimes it does. My mom loved a good Manhattan. She wasn’t much of a drinker, but I still remember my grandfather making them for her. I still remember finding a half drank Manhattan in our freezer. (She wasn’t one to waste either.) She likely would roll her eyes at these deep words of love for her in a post about a Manhattan drink, but she’s also not here to stop me, so there’s that. Laughing is also good medicine for the grieving.
Start with either Bourbon or Rye Whiskey. The classic version uses rye. Next you need Vermouth. It is said that this is the first cocktail ever created to use Vermouth, even before the martini. Typically Sweet Vermouth is used, but you can also make a Manhattan with Dry Vermouth. Finally you need a dash of Angostura bitters. Bitters is an alcoholic spirit that has been infused with botanicals like herbs, roots, and fruit. (Don’t tell anyone that my grandpa made me Shirley Temples with Bitters in it while he mixed Manhattans for him and my mom.)
Other Classic Cocktails
If you can’t get enough of classic cocktails, here are a few more that I love. I love to garnish a Manhattan cocktail with a few bourbon soaked cherries like the ones you see here.
This Whiskey Sour is another great whiskey cocktail that you will dig. If you still need more to use up your whiskey bottle, try my Old Fashioned. My Vodka Gimlet is Nathan’s favorite. This Dirty Martini is one of my personal favorites.
If you make my Manhattan drink recipe or any of these cocktails, drop me a comment and let me know! And if you are still navigating grief, you can let me know. I can’t make it better, but I can relate to what you are going through. (Pssst, this Crustless Vegetable Quiche has a lot more of my thoughts on grief.)
