Cocktail: Manhattan

[RSMurphy]

Well, I have no idea how well it goes with a Manhattan, but in and of itself, Cerise is CRAP.

The first sip is was bit jarring but the aftertaste is the money shot.

[ginger]

My 76 year old mother drinks Southern Comfort Manhattans with sweet vermouth and a cherry. This has been her drink for as long as I can remember. I can't stand the smell of SC. Makes me want to barf.

[MWilke]

NC

A Maker's Mark Manhattan on the rocks can hit the spot if you're just looking for a sipping drink after a long day of work or traveling.

[RSMurphy]

My 76 year old mother drinks Southern Comfort Manhattans with sweet vermouth and a cherry.

This sounds vile.

[John W.]

When my dad would come home from work, I would make a martini for him and a Manhattan for my mom. Then I'd watch Greatest American Hero or something.

NC

[El Protoolio]

NC

A Maker's Mark Manhattan on the rocks....

This is my favorite version. I call it the "Makeithappen", as in "Hey bartender! Makeithappen!"

[Antero]

While many people seem to love Maker's in a Manhattan, I could never get on board that. I'd always go with either something spicier like Buffalo Trace or Bulliet, something massive like Booker's, or ideally a good rye.

Rye! Yay!

[crustandcrumb]

IBM's logo speaks of hard-ass instant coffee and Barney Miller. We think of the smell of carbon copy forms. It is assumed that the men will drink rye at lunch.

[Steve V.]

Bought some bitters today.

Drunk on the other thing tonight.

[enframed]

Modified Manhattan/Old Fashioned as of late at our house has been equal parts bourbon and chinato, shaken and poured over ice. Delicious.

Not crap.

[jimmy two hands]

Not at all crap. I feel weird making a manhattan with quality booze instead of enjoying it for itself, but the quality bourbon makes a much better cocktail than Jim Beam or what have ye. Never tried it with rye, but I'll have to make it happen. I prefer a variation of the perfect manhattan, using equal parts sweet and dry vermouth along with a dash of bitters. Sometimes instead of the cherry, I add a splash of this kirschwasser that a friend left at my house years ago.

[fredrock]

The Manhattan is the apotheosis of the cocktail, eternal, delicious, with potentially infinite variation. It is the manliest drink on the planet. Ordering a Manhattan means that you care about quality and aren't afraid of intense flavors or the taste of alcohol, and actually have some sense of class. A woman who orders a Manhattan is a gorgeous thing - she will not take your bullshit.

This is going in my body RIGHT NOW.

2 oz Rittenhouse Bonded Rye Whiskey
1 oz Punt e Mes vermouth
2 good hits of Angostura bitters

And an orange peel to finish.

Perfection.

Even before you schooled me on bourbon, I loved these RYE beauties.
Salut

[Tommy]

While I definitely prefer an Old Fashioned, I can get on board with a Manhattan now and then.

[Sock OR Muffin?]

My go-to drink if I'm feeling like a cocktail. I will make it with any old bourbon or rye I have in the bar. Quality of booze is no object. Oddly enough, Jim Beam Rye is pretty good for these. Lately I've had a bottle of Redemption Rye in the house which is pretty nice stuff for the price. According to my grandfather's strict recipe which is a little less sweet than normal Manhattans:

4 parts Rye/Bourbon
1 part vermouth
3 drops bitters. (I prefer orange but Angostura will do)

Shake in a tumbler, pour into glass with cherry and ONE ice cube.
NOT CRAP