21 Manhattan Recipe

Chill glass

Place a coupe or chilled martini glass in the freezer for at least 5 minutes, or fill it with ice water while you prepare the cocktail.

Combine ingredients

In a mixing glass add 2 oz rye whiskey, 1 oz sweet vermouth, 2 dashes aromatic bitters, 1 dash orange bitters, 0.25 oz Luxardo maraschino liqueur (or a splash of maraschino cherry juice), and 0.25 oz demerara syrup.

Add ice and stir

Fill the mixing glass with 6 large ice cubes. Stir gently but thoroughly for 30–45 seconds (about 20–30 full strokes) until the mixture is well chilled and slightly diluted — the liquid should feel very cold to the outside of the glass and slightly viscous.

Strain

Discard ice/water from the chilled serving glass if used. Double-strain (or fine-strain if you prefer) the cocktail from the mixing glass into the chilled coupe or martini glass using a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer to remove any small ice shards.

Thread a Luxardo cherry onto a cocktail pick and place it in the drink. If using an orange twist, express the oils by holding the twist over the cocktail and giving it a firm bend, then rub the peel on the glass rim and drop it in or lay it on the surface.

Serve immediately. The 21 Manhattan is best enjoyed chilled and sipped slowly to appreciate the balanced sweetness, bitters and cherry-laced depth.