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Classic Cocktails: Black Manhattan

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Black-Manhattan-1

So dark, so smooth, so rich in flavor, so Manhattan. Wait, what am I saying? There is NOTHING smooth about Manhattan, NOTHING. Sorry, are we talking about the Burrough or the Cocktail? As far the Manhattan Cocktail goes, there are as many variations as there are neighborhoods in NYC: Perfect Manhattan, 1920 Cocktail, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, Red Hook, Bronx, Slope, Greenpoint, Carroll Gardens, to name a few. Even the Rob Roy is essentially just a Scotch Manhattan!

The Black Manhattan or Averna Manhattan is excellent variation on a Manhattan, in fact it might be my favourite. A classic Black Manhattan stays true to the 2:1 ratio of Rye to Averna but I really enjoy a bit of Carpano Antica in this cocktail as well. Remember to sip slowly and feel the Averna. Let its velvety richness guide you into the winter months.

Black Manhattan

  • 2 oz Rye
  • 3/4 oz Averna Amaro
  • 1/2 oz Carpano Antica
  • 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
  • Maraschino Cherry

In tin, combine Rye, Averna, Carpano and Angostura Bitters over cracked ice. Stir and strain into coupe. Garnish with Maraschino Cherry. Cheers!

Black-Manhattan-2

Classic Cocktails: Diamondback Cocktail

/ Dani DeLuna / 2 Comments

Diamondback

I’ve got a couple of things to say about this drink:

1. With the exception of Old Fashioneds and Sazeracs, “Build-In-Glass” drinks should ALWAYS be in Mason Jars. If you’re just gonna pour everything into the drinking glass, stir it a few times and serve it, don’t use a fancy glass. Use a Mason Jar! Same goes for any drink with a Dirty Pour (everything from the shaker goes straight into the cocktail, ice and all), or any type of Smash. I know that living in the deep South for ten years may have influenced this point of view, but I stand firmly in my beliefs!

2. The Diamondback Cocktail packs a particularly powerful punch! It’s a knock out for sure! Especially if you were to use a spicy rye like George Dickel Rye. Well, WOO! You just might shoot off like a rocket! This drink is a great slow sipper due to its boozy boozy qualities. Remember kids, Chartreuse Vert is 110 Proof.

3. In keeping with my current obsession for Autumnal Cocktails, well, the Applejack is HAPPENING in this drink. Diamondback Cocktail

  • 1 1/2 oz Rye
  • 3/4 oz Laird’s Applejack
  • 3/4 oz Chartreuse Vert
  • Maraschino Cherry

Build in glass with ice. Stir a few times and garnish with Maraschino Cherry. Easy peasy, definitely NOT breezy. Good luck! You’ve been warned.

Bull Hill

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Bull-Hill-1

It’s fall y’all. A couple of weeks ago I took the train up to Cold Spring and hiked at Bull Hill. Excellent hiking with truly stunning views, like “oh my god so amazing, how is this view so amazing?” type of views. All of that Hudson Valley goodness, the changing leaves and fresh air really put a fire in my belly for some Pumpkin Ale.

Bull Hill

  • 1 oz Rye
  • 1 oz Applejack
  • 1/2 oz Domaine de Canton
  • 2 dashes Regans’ Orange Bitters
  • Pumpkin Ale float (I used Brooklyn Brewery’s Post Road and it was perfect)

Combine Rye, Applejack, Domaine de Canton and bitters in tin with cracked ice. Stir and strain into rocks glass with one big rock. Float Pumpkin Ale on top.

The Arlington

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The Arlington

I created this drink in January 2014 while skiing in Vermont*. My girlfriend, some friends and I were staying at a rather hilarious but picturesque AirBnB house in Arlington. We arrived late in the evening, unpacked our bags, I unpacked my traveling Home Bar and the friends asked me to make a drink. This was that drink.

Soon afterwards I posted it on BarNotes and its has become my most popular cocktail on the site! Enjoy!

The Arlington

  • 1 1/2 oz George Dickel Rye (Rittenhouse Rye would work well too)
  • 1 oz Laird’s Applejack
  • 1/2 oz Averna Amaro
  • 2 dashes of Regans’ Orange Bitters
  • Maraschino Cherry

Add ingredients to tin with cracked ice and stir. Strain into rocks glass and serve on the rocks. Maraschino Cherry garnish.

*Just a short word on Vermonty: I love Vermont, I love it so much that I usually just call it Vermonty. Its Green Mountains are stunning, its land-locked inhabitants are quiet, helpful and a bit reclusive, its Maple Syrup is abundant and its Skiing is thrilling!