The Manhattan is April 5th Drink of the Day!!

Yes, not too often I put a drink on here you are familiar with by name. However, this is one of my favorite history stories on drinks and I felt obligated to share it. And when Mr. Churchill’s name came up in history, I felt it unjust not to tell it. Funny that everytime I hear Winston Churchill’s name, this drink comes to mind. Though, the story behind my reasoning for this is probably fictional, it’s interesting enough to explain and one that will put you in the same situation.

Folklore has it that the Manhattan Cocktail was a drink invented by Dr. Lain Marshall for a party for Presidential Candidate, Samual A. Tilden at the Manhatten Club in New York City in the early 1870s. It is said that Jennie Jerome, who would become Lady Randolph, was hosting this event. If you don’t know this, Jennie Jerome is Winston Churchill’s mother. However, her hosting a party at this time is highly unlikely due to the fact that she was supposedly in Paris and due to have a child at around the time this party was taking place. It is also known that there were drinks that were made in the 1860s that had been named after the burroughs of New York and that this is probably where this drink originated from. We will really never know the true story, but it brings out some great conversation.

Manhattan (UP)
1 1/2 oz. Bourbon (originally made with Rye whiskey, but today more commonly with bourbon whiskey).
3/4 oz. Sweet Vermouth
Dash of Angostura Bitters
Splash of Maraschino Cherry juice (Optional)
Maraschino Cherry (Garnish)

Method: Pour the bourbon, vermouth and bitters into shaker glass with ice. Stir well and strain into chilled cocktail glass. For a sweeter drink, you can add a splash of Maraschino Cherry juice. Add Marashino Cherry for garnish.

This day in History:
1614 - Pocahontas married John Rolfe.
1792 - President George Washington cast the first presidential veto.
1955 - Winston Churchill resigned as Prime Minister of Britain.
1971 - Canadian Fran Phipps became the first woman to reach the North Pole.

Notable Birthday:
Booker T. Washington, educator and scholar, was born on this day in 1856.

Notable Quote:
“Character, not circumstances, make the man.” - Booker T. Washington

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Tags: Bourbon Drinks, dr. lain marshall, drink of the day april 5, fran phipps, george washington, how to make a manhattan cocktail, jennie jerome, john rolfe, lady randolph, manhattan club in new york city, pocahontas, rye drinks, samual a. tilden, shaun the bartender drinks, sweet vermouth drinks, winston churchill

Category: Drink of the Day