Cocktail hour recalls the elegance of little black dresses, the maraca sound of a martini shaker, and handsome bar cart glistening with crystal. While the event originated in England as a time to drink after work and before dinner, New Yorkers quickly made it their own with new libations, such as the Manhattan, which hails from the Manhattan Club in the late 1800’s. Another favorite is the dirty martini, just make sure you have on your best lingerie if you plan to kick back a few of those.
How to Make a Dirty Vodka Martini
A dirty martini commonly calls for gin and vermouth, which I substitute for vodka. In consideration of weekend family obligations, vodka is less hangover-inducing.
Ingredients:
2 ounces vodka
1/2 ounce olive brine
1/2 cup ice
Yield:
1 cocktail
Directions:
Mix ingredients in a cocktail shaker, lightly shake, pour in a chilled martini glass.
How to Make a Perfect Manhattan
The Perfect Manhattan differs from the classic since it calls for less whisky, which is my preference considering the aforementioned aversion to hangovers.
Ingredients:
2 ounces whisky
1 1/2 ounce sweet vermouth
3 dashes Angostura Bitters
1 ounce ice
Marshiano cherry
Yield:
1 cocktail
Directions:
Fill shaker with ice, add ingredients, stir for about a minute. Pour into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a cherry.
