method
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.
VARIATION: 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.
Manhattan cocktail
broken ice
1 - 2 dashes Angostura bitters
2 - 3 dashes curacao
45 ml ( 3 tbsps) rye whisky
45 ml ( 3 tbsps) Italian vermouth
cherry and lemon peel
1. Fill a cocktail glass half-full of ice.
2. Mix the liquid ingredients, stir well, strain into the glass, add a cherry and float a piece of lemon peel on top.
3. This is comparatively speaking a very old cocktail, but it is still one of the best-known.
4. If a dry manhattan is required, use French vermouth instead of Italian.
5. For a medium Manhattan cocktail use half each of French and Italian.
