She's So Manhattan Recipe

Prepare and infuse

Place 375 ml sweet vermouth in a clean glass jar with an airtight lid. Lightly bruise the red shiso leaves by folding them once or twice (this releases color and aromatics) and add to the jar. Add the thyme, rosemary, tarragon (if using), black peppercorns and clove. Seal jar and give it a gentle shake to combine.

Steep: Let the mixture infuse at cool room temperature for 12–24 hours. Check at 6–8 hours for color and aroma; red shiso will quickly impart a pink/red hue and vegetal note. Taste after 12 hours — you want a balanced herbal lift without overpowering bitterness. If too subtle, let sit up to 24 hours; if too herbal, strain sooner.

Strain and store: Once desired flavor is reached, strain the vermouth through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth into a clean bottle. Discard solids. Refrigerate and use within 3–4 weeks. No sugar or bitters added — the infusion’s herbs and shiso will provide complexity and subtle tannins.

Chill glass: Place a rocks glass in the freezer or chill it with ice and water while you prepare the cocktail.

Stir: In a mixing glass, add 2 oz Old Forester Bourbon and 1 oz of the prepared red shiso & herb‑infused sweet vermouth. Add stirring ice (about 6 oz or enough to fill the mixing glass). Stir gently and steadily for 20–30 seconds (roughly 20–30 full strokes) until the mixture is well‑chilled and properly diluted.

Prepare serving glass: Remove the rocks glass from the freezer or dump the ice/water, and place one large clear ice cube in the glass.

Strain: Double‑strain or fine‑mesh strain the stirred cocktail into the prepared rocks glass over the large ice cube to ensure clarity (use a Hawthorne strainer + julep or fine mesh if desired).

Garnish and finish: Gently lay a fresh red shiso leaf on the surface of the cocktail. If desired, express an orange peel over the drink (pinch skin side down to spray oils across the surface) and drop or rest the twist alongside the shiso. Serve immediately.

Notes: No bitters or sugar are added — the red shiso and herbs in the vermouth supply aromatics and subtle vegetal sweetness. Adjust vermouth ratio to taste (1.5–1 oz vermouth for a slightly sweeter/manhattan‑leaning profile).