Classic Manhattan Cocktail - Ready for the Holidays

Here’s a cocktail that will stand the test of time - a Classic Manhattan. Ted Allen of Food Network has a recipe that can be customized by the whiskey (or bourbon) you choose but the basic ingredients are the same: whiskey, sweet vermouth, bitters, orange peel, and one or two cherries. If you're adventurous, you can make your own Maraschino Cherries - recipe to follow.

Just the basics

for Ted Allen’s Classic Manhattan

Classic Manhattan Cocktail

Yield: serves 1

Ingredients

Ice

2 parts whiskey (or bourbon if you prefer)

1 part sweet vermouth

1 to 2 dashes bitters, such as Angostura

Orange peel

Real Maraschino Cherries (recipe follows) or Luxardo Cherries

Directions

1. Place ice in a cocktail shaker. Add the whiskey, vermouth, and bitters. Rub the orange peel around the rim of the cocktail glass.

2. Strain the drink into the glass. Add 1 to 2 Luxardo Cherries or Real Maraschino Cherries and enjoy!

Real Maraschino Cherries

are easy to make with only two ingredients

Real Maraschino Cherries:

Ingredients

1 cup maraschino liqueur

1-pint sour cherries stemmed and pitted (in a pinch, you can buy a jar of sour cherries in a light syrup, and drain the syrup)

Directions

1. Bring the liqueur to a simmer, and then turn off the heat. Add the cherries, stir, let cool, and then pour into jars. Refrigerate. Cherries will be tasty for months.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Food Network.

Watch the video to see Ted make this classic drink step-by-step

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ted-allen/classic-manhattan-cocktail-recipe-3381462

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