I was psyched to see an perfect equal-parts Manhattan take the top spot in Woodford Reserve’s recent drink competition. Even the extra touches — 2 dashes bitters, 2 dashes absinthe — measure out in equal parts! That’s Jonathan Howard, a Nashville, TN bartender, in the photo above pouring out multiples of his drink for the lucky judges.
Jonathan Howard’s Classic Manhattan
1.5 parts Woodford Reserve Rye
1.5 parts Cocchi Torino Vermouth
2 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
2 dashes Absinthe
Grab a Lewis bag and crack several pieces of large format ice. Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with cracked ice. Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
UPDATED 8/17: Oops! It was helpfully pointed out to me that a “perfect” Manhattan means equal parts sweet and dry vermouth – NOT equal parts whiskey and vermouth. Now corrected above. It’s a good thing I never claimed to be “perfect” myself, ha ha.
If I am not mistaken, this isn’t a recipe for a perfect Manhattan. A perfect Manhattan should have equal parts of sweet and dry vermouths and not equal parts whiskey to vermouth.
The drink still looks great, as does your informative website! Thanks for the batching info.
Thanks for pointing that out – you are correct! Hmm, I’m not sure I would enjoy dry vermouth in a Manhattan, but I’ll have to give it a try.