How To Make The Perfect Manhattan Cocktail - Building A Drink: Your Ultimate Guide to Mixed Drink and Cocktail Recipes

Stir the liquid ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Run the lemon peel around the rim, twist it over the drink, and drop it in.

VARIATIONS: For a Scotch Manhattan, see the Rob Roy.

For an Irish Manhattan (also known as a Paddy Cocktail or Paddy Wagon), use Irish whiskey in the Classic Manhattan recipe.

For a Canadian Manhattan, make a Classic Manhattan with Canadian whisky.

For a Southern Comfort Manhattan (a very sweet version), use Southern Comfort in place of the whiskey in the Classic Manhattan recipe.

For an Eastern Manhattan, use 2½ oz Suntory Japanese whiskey. ¼ oz Ricard, and ½ oz sweet vermouth.

For an Old-Fashioned Manhattan, use 1½ oz each blended whiskey and sweet vermouth.

For a Dubonnet Manhattan, make a Classic Manhattan with bourbon, and substitute ½ oz Dubonnet for the sweet vermouth.

As legend has it, the Manhattan was created in honor of Lady Randolph Churchill (Sir Winston's mother) in 1874 at the Manhattan Club in New York, served during a celebration dinner for Governor Samuel J. Tilden. Originally made with rye, this classic American aperitif is a perfect example of the fine balance between the ratio of whiskey to vermouth to the essential bitters, all coming together for optimum smoothness. The type of whiskey used is crucial to the taste and ultimately becomes a personal preference. Many prefer bourbon, such as Knob Creek or Maker's Mark, bringing a sweetness complementary to the vermouth, over the classic rye, which for today's tastes is a bit harsh. Others adamantly prefer a much mellower Manhattan using blended Canadian whisky, the bourbon or rye imparting too much intensity. Whichever way you swing, a premium whiskey will always give the best results. Traditionally, a Manhattan is served up in a cocktail glass, but many prefer it over ice in an old-fashioned glass, which gives it a bit of dilution and chill. Although it is classically garnished with a cherry, a lemon twist is an acceptable option.

Variations on the Manhattan include everything from the addition of various bitters, such as Peychaud's or orange, to dashes of other ingredients such as maraschino cherry syrup from the jar, Dubonnet Rouge, green Chartreuse, kirschwasser, blue curaçao, and other liqueurs.