Manhattan

Ah, my most esteemed connoisseurs of the cocktail cosmology, allow yourselves to be transported, if you will, to a realm of such sophistication and complexity, it mirrors the very city after which it is named. The Manhattan, a concoction so steeped in lore and allure, it stands as a monument to the art of mixology, a beacon of refined pleasure amidst the cacophony of lesser libations.

Ingredients

• 2 oz (60 ml) rye whiskey, as bold and bracing as a brisk walk through Central Park on an autumn evening.
• 1 oz (30 ml) sweet vermouth, the velvet curtain of the theater, rich and inviting.
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters, the whispers of old souls, adding depth and mystery.
• Ice, the silent witness to the alchemy about to unfold.
• Maraschino cherry, for garnish, the final note in this symphonic potion, a ruby set in liquid gold.

Directions

1. In a vessel that has known the weight of expectations and the lightness of fulfillment, combine rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters over ice, as if mingling the very essences of history and innovation.
2. Stir with the grace of a maestro, until the potion is chilled, as if caressed by the breath of winter.
3. Strain into a glass that reflects the skyline at dusk, an architectural marvel in its own right.
4. Garnish with a maraschino cherry, not merely an adornment but a symbol of the complexity and sweetness of life itself.

Tips

• The choice of rye whiskey is akin to selecting the perfect ensemble for opening night; it must be bold, with a hint of spice, a testament to character.
• Sweet vermouth should complement, not overpower, like the perfect duet partner, enhancing the melody.
• The stir, not shake, preserves the dignity of the whiskey, a gentle amalgamation of flavors without the violence of aeration.

Calories & Alcohol

In our epilogue, my cherished ensemble of the epicurean, the Manhattan is not simply a cocktail; it is an ode to sophistication, a homage to the city that never sleeps, and a toast to the timeless dance of tradition and modernity.

As we draw the curtain on this metropolitan rhapsody, be aware that this vessel of urban legend contains approximately 173 calories, with an alcohol content that gracefully ascends to about 2 standard drinks (2.9 AU). A fitting libation for an evening of intrigue and sophistication.