Over the years we have experimented with different brands of whiskey, different quantities of vermouth and bitters, and finally felt that we reached a happy point in the "perfect Manhattan" adventure. That is until a friend of ours introduced us to Oak barrels.
Aging your own drinks is SO much fun. Depending on how long you leave it in your barrel and the ingredients you use, your drink will taste different every time!
This recipe fits in a 2 liter oak barrel. We purchased the barrel from Oak Barrels Ltd. (they have a wealth of information on aging on their site.) We have been very satisfied with their product.
Here is what you will need:
1.75 liters of whiskey (we prefer Maker's Mark, but use what you love.)
1 c. sweet Vermouth, we use Martini Rossi
1 tsp of of Angostura bitters
Mix them well and pour into your barrel.
Let it age for a week, then try it. Try it every week until you are happy with the taste. We usually age a batch for about 4 weeks. When you are satisfied with the taste, move it from the barrel into a decanter.
Start a new batch!
As your barrel ages each batch it will loose some of the oaky flavor, so you will have to age each batch a bit longer. On average you can make 4-5 batches out of one barrel.
If you just want to make one Manhattan, here is what you do:
Fill your shaker with ice. Add 2 oz of whiskey, 1/2 oz of sweet vermouth, and 2-3 dashes of bitters. Shake. Pour into your chilled glass. Add a cherry, or two, and enjoy!
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