Is it still a Manhattan when there is no bourbon? no cherry? Still the essence is there, the oak aged brandy, the carpano antica sweet vermouth, a dash of bitters. A brandy cocktail worth repeating.
I keep one fancy vermouth and one inexpensive vermouth (sweet and dry) on hand because it makes a difference sometimes. And sometimes it doesn’t.
Punch magazine has a nice article outlining several vermouths of all styles. I’m just happy that there are choices.
Speaking of choices, there are a lot of bitters out there now too. I went with the bitter housewife cardamom bitters.
For the brandy I opted for Copper & Kings american brandy which is aged in bourbon barrels (as close to bourbon as I get)
I love mason jars! I make my whipped cream (which is actually shaked cream) in them and I’ve taken to mixing drinks because often with cocktails I don’t want them all at once or, like today, I’m doing the dry January thing so I must save the brandy for the non abstainer. Simple dump the ice, throw the cocktails- garnish and all- back into the mason jar. seal and put in the freezer. Frosty delicious brandy manhattan cocktails on demand.
I only have a few hard and fast rules for manhattans, you can read about them in this classic manhattan post.
This last year I made my own boozy cherries- you, too, can do!
Brandy Manhattan Cocktail
Ingredients
- 4 ounces brandy mid grade
- 2 ounces sweet vermouth see above
- 2-4 dashes bitters cardamom or orange
- 1 slice blood orange for garnish (can sub a cherry)
Instructions
- fill a pint glass or mason jar with ice
- add all ingredients and stir until well chilled
- strain into martini glasses
- garnish with a slice of blood orange or a cherry
- can be stored in the freezer indefinitely (or three days with garnish in there too)
Notes
This is exactly what I’ve been looking for all day today! Even down to using Copper and Kings which is totally my favorite!
Happy to help Rick 😉
– Yes the Copper and Kings is good stuff!