Manhattan cocktail

I’ve been taking things easy on the drinks front since our cocktail-tastic Christmas. But as the end of a busy work week loomed, the thought of a TGIF cocktail was pretty tempting.

The Manhattan has only three ingredients – rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters. As a Canadian, I have a nostalgic fondness for Canadian Club, but there are a lot of rye whiskeys to choose from these days, and bourbon works as well.

Manhattan cocktail
(makes 2)

• 1/2 cup (125ml) rye or bourbon
• 1/4 cup (62ml) sweet vermouth
• 4 dashes Angostura bitters
• 2 maraschino cherries

1. Chill two martini glasses.
2. Combine the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
3. Shake well and strain into the cocktail glasses.
4. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Tags: bourbon, cocktails, dairy-free, gluten-free, rye whisky, vegan, vegetarian, vermouth