Over the past couple of years, I have experimented more with making cocktails. Well, experimented may be the wrong word, because in actuality I have been following recipes in order to learn the basics of creating these libations.
As someone who enjoys cooking, I have great admiration for those who can mix up a solid drink. There is an art to making a good cocktail. The proportions of the ingredients, the type of ice that is used, even the glass that it is served in… all of these things can effect the results.
One of my favorite bars in Boston is located at the Omni Parker House Hotel (which, apparently, is where the Boston Cream Pie originated) called The Last Hurrah. I know the Mad Men-style bar has become a bit of a trend lately, but The Last Hurrah is the real deal. Everything, from the decor to the servers to their extensive cocktail list… it all screams 1950s.
And I just love this place. After work, I will bring some friends there and we can just sit and chat and enjoy a well made drink (served with a bowl of their warm nuts).
It has become a bit of a joke that every time I go to The Last Hurrah, I order the same thing. I’ll look at the menu and talk about getting a martini or a gimlet. But at the last second, I change my mind. Their version of a Manhattan is the Harvey Parker, which is Jameson Irish Whiskey, sweet vermouth, bitters, and a maraschino cherry. And there is no better cocktail, particularly in the colder months, than one of those.
Traditional Manhattans call for rye whiskey, which is distilled from 51% rye grain. Other variations can include bourbon or blended whiskey. But there is a smoothness that comes from the rye whiskey that I quite enjoy.
So, to take the edge off after a long work day, make yourself one of these classic Manhattans.
Manhattan
serving size: one drink
Ingredients
2 oz rye whiskey
1/2 oz sweet vermouth
2-3 dashes bitters
maraschino cherries
Directions
Pour whiskey, vermouth, and bitters in a cocktail shaker. Add three ice cubes. Stir (don’t shake) for 1 minute and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with cherries.
Wow. There's nothing snazzier than a Manhattan, and you've captured it. Those photos are just gorgeous. And I totally agree – cocktails are an art!
WOW! Your pictures are stunning. I want one NOW!!
I agree, these are really awesome shots. It's cocktail time!
Beautiful pictures!
Love your lush photos! We make Manhattans at home all the time, but have never added bitters, will have to try that.
I love trying them with rye versus bourbon and noting the differences. Woodford Reserve just ran a competition for twists on Manahattans. The winner was for a ginger Manhattan. My entry was what we called the Applesauced. Lots of apple, spiced syrup and bourbon. Pretty dangerous!
I have a lot more drinks you can take pictures of. Clearly that isn't the part I am good at!
Jason
We do a nice bourbon Manhattan at our house and even created a special cranberry variation for Thanksgiving. Hubby prefers a single-barrel Jack but I'm a Knob Creek gal. I have a couple of evening meeting this week so a Manhattan might be my treat when I get home. Thanks for the perfect recipe Brian.
One of my favorites. Beautiful photos, Brian.
I have a feeling it's kind of sacreligious that after after living in NYC my whole life, I've still never had a Manhattan. This bar that you talk about sounds awesome, much more so than the crappy skeevy dives that my friends and I usually frequent. This is one mixed drink that I will certainly have to try.
Gosh! I haven't had a Manhattan in years, but a version with Jameson's might just be right up my alley. If only it weren't 8:00 in the morning… LOL!
Looks great! I have a friend who is a bartender and I love watching her make drinks—I usually keep it simple when I do it myself
My dad is a Manhattan drinker. Because of this, I'm a good Manhattan mixer
Cheers!!!
The pictures are beautiful. I've never actually had a Manhattan, but it looks so appealing here I might just try it.
What beautiful photos! Totally makes me think of the show "Mad Men"
Hi Bri, I never had a Manhattan but you are not surprised to hear that. If I would have one this one is abslutely stunning but one sip and I am tipsy! Warning!!
These are a favorite of my husband too. A local restaurant does a great version.
I knew I remembered that bar!! I used to go there after work, too. We miss Boston so much…You sound just like me. I look at the menu and threaten to try something new and order the same old thing. You can't go wrong when it's good and this Manhattan looks perfect!
Did you see my Manhattan cake? Topped with maraschino cherries and soaked with a bourbon/sugar/butter mixture?
And the truth…not quite sure I've ever had a Manhattan but my parents were of the 'Mad Men' generation; cocktails parties were Manhattans, gimlets and martinis and I've always thought I would like them…maybe it's the Maraschino cherries?
Lovely photos as always but now I really want to revisit this cocktail from the past!
I totally envy those who have cocktail making skills! You are right, it's an art. I worked in bars for quite some time in Italy but never got that good at making them. Great job!
Brian, I haven't had a Manhattan in ages..yours looks amazing and so are the pics!
while it's hard to pry a gimlet from my hands, i must try a manhattan! i've never had one.
Hi Brian
I'll take Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island too!! with the kind of day I had make it a double, please! Or to quote Rex O'Halloran the Singing Cowboy, give me a shot of whiskey in a dirty glass with a human hair….sigh
Hope your day was better
Dennis
Great stuff and amazing photos. Try Luxardo Gourmand Marasca Cherries next time, which you can get in Somerville at The Boston Shaker. I use them in my recent drink, the Aviation, and it really completes it.
I love a good cocktail, and a Manhattan is a good one. Yours look beautiful and being a good Canadian, I happen to have some Rye on hand. This might be the right drink for next weekend.
If Carolyn is a good Canadian for having Rye on hand, then I feel ashamed, for I have none! My Dad loved Manhattans, and I've been told he made great ones — there was always a pre-mixed bottle of them in the door of the fridge for parties — but I have no idea what his secrets were.
I guess I'll have to start with your version instead! Theresa
I love those 50's bars. Never been to The Last Hurrah, though I've been to boston many times. And while I'm not a fan of the Manhattan because I'm not a whiskey girl, your pictures are making me have second thoughts. Beee-utiful.
totally and completely suck at making cocktails Brian – i grab a bottle of bubbly and call it a day. But i must say that you and ThePeche have peaked my interest so i may give this a shot. Beautiful photos btw!
Your pictures are lovely. They make me thirsty…
As I'm back from a lovely dinner in NYC, I wish I had ordered a Manhattan tonight after seeing your splendid photos. As they say in Italy, cin cin!
So sophisticated…so elegant…so perfect! I can see why this drink wins you over everytime. I love when you do drink posts because I know NOTHING about mixology. Thank you for sharing, sweet friend. I wish we could share one of these together!
My God, Bri, how beautiful are those photos?! Tell me you have black countertops in your house, I will die of envy! I hope you know you're making me some of these when I visit
Jax x
I so relate to your post! I am not a natural mixologist- I appreciate a good drink and recognize the art it takes to create it. This looks perfect!
Classic and oh so beautiful!
I've worked with some magical cocktail constructors & even though they make it look so darn easy.., its not. Nothing like a seriously snazzy Manhattan, ever so classy
Whiskey was my first drink! (… I'm going to refrain from mentioning what age this was at!) He he!
Love the comparison with cooking and making a great cocktail – I agree there is an art to it. Sounds like there are some great places in Boston – making notes for my next visit there. Great photos!!! Happy New Year!!
Nothing like a perfectly made Manhattan… especially on a snowy day
I love your photos of the cherries. So pretty!
Sues
and i would love to be your taster – just to see if what you experiment with is really drinkable ;o) looks good to me!
Mmmn. . . I LOVES me some Manhattan, especially when it isn't attached to any of the other boroughs.
Cada bebida es su amigo en Nueva York.