The Manhattan and an homage

the kindproject has some posts about Manhattan's - the cocktail - but he doesn't give you a recipe. Perhaps I can spur him to divulge his. I know he's a serious drunk, let's see if he's a serious mixologist.

Let's start with my Manhattan Recipe. It's not fancy, but like anything in cooking - good ingredients = good result.:

• Bourbon - I use Bakers or Basil Hayden's or Bulleit usually. Bakers being over-proofed at 107 proof will really add a punch
• Sweet Vermouth - I generally use Martin and Rossi
• Bitters - Angonustra Bitters works fine but I especially like it with Blood Orange Bitters. If you aren't using bitters in your in your beverages you HAVE missed the boat - it adds fantastic complexity. You just can't leave it out
• Cherries - the traditional recipe is with Maraschino Cherries, but I've found these Pitted Sour Cherries in Light Syrup. I didn't order mine through Amazon, they are readily available here in Astoria, NY. Astoria is a major Greek enclave (largest Greek population outside of Greece) and sour cherries are a very Greek treat.

3:2 Bourbon to Sweet Vermouth, a dash of bitters in a shaker full of ice. Give it a good shake to put a firm chill on it and strain into a rocks glass (over rocks if you like)... Add your cherries and enjoy.