Prohibition Era Cocktails: The Manhattan cocktail drink recipe and history. A classic drink of the roaring 20's.

Prohibition Era Cocktails: The Manhattan cocktail drink recipe and history. A classic drink of the roaring 20's and before.

This is a IBA listed drink and is listed in David Embury's classic book on cocktails The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks.

ORIGINS of the MANHATTAN COCKTAIL:

One legend states the Manhattan cocktail was created at the Manhattan Club in New York City, honor the election of Gov. Samuel Tilden in 1874.   Another story states it was created around the 1860's by Black, a bartender at a pub on Broadway street.

A early printed version of the Manhattan cocktail is in a book titled "The Flowing Bowl" in 1891.  Here is the version he gives:

2 dashes of gum, 2 dashes of bitters, 1 dash of absinthe, 2/3 portion of whiskey and 1/3 portion of vermouth.

Traditionalist will agrue that the Manhattan cocktail be made with Rye Whiskey. But the truth is today bartenders use Bourbon or Canadian.

There are so many variations of the drink today, i can count at least 9 off the top of my head. Bartenders use the Manhattan as a jumpstart to there creativity.

The Manhattan cocktail drink.

The Classic Manhattan Recipe:

Ingredients:
50 ml Rye Whisky
20 ml Sweet red vermouth
1-2 Dashes Angostura bitters
Maraschino cherry

Making the Classic Manhattan Cocktail:
The drink is traditionaly stirred over ice in a mixing glass.

Next, strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Garnishe with a cherry and serve straight up.

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Article Summary:
Learn to make the classic Manhattan cocktail drink. A classic cocktail of the prohibition era and the roaring 20's.

TAGS: Classic cocktails, prohibition era, mixed drinks, manhattan cocktail drink recipe, whiskey recipes.