Aged Black Rye Manhattan Recipe
Town Branch Rye Whiskey, Averna, Black Walnut Bitters, Luxardo Cherry
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Ingredients
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Cocktail
Optional: Smoked/Barrel-aged effect
Method
Prepare (if barrel/aging used)
Short aging (optional, skip to mixing if not aging)
If you want a subtly more integrated, 'aged' character, place the measured rye and Averna together in a small sanitized oak barrel or a sealed jar with a small toasted oak chip/spiral. Allow to rest for 24–72 hours, tasting periodically. Remove oak element when desired intensity is reached. If not using oak, proceed directly to mixing.
Build the cocktail
Fill a mixing glass with plenty of ice to thoroughly chill and slightly dilute the drink.
Add 2 oz Town Branch Rye and 0.75 oz Averna to the mixing glass (use the aged combination if you prepared it).
Add 2 dashes black walnut bitters to the mixing glass. If you only have regular aromatic bitters, you can add 1 dash aromatic + 1 dash walnut if available.
Stir the mixture gently for 30–45 seconds until the outside of the mixing glass is well chilled and the drink is slightly diluted (about 20–25% dilution by volume typical for stirred cocktails).
Strain the cocktail through a julep or fine strainer into a chilled coupe or a rocks glass over a single large ice cube, depending on preference.
Finish & garnish
Express an orange peel over the drink by holding the peel skin-side down about 3–4 inches above the surface and giving it a firm squeeze to spray oils onto the cocktail. Run the peel around the rim and discard or drop into the drink (optional).
Garnish with one Luxardo cherry on a pick and rest it in the drink or on the rim.
Serve immediately.