Manhattan Minute*

The MANHATTAN MINUTE is self-created and is offered to the home bartender as a Manhattan substitute when preparation-time is short or good sweet vermouth is not available. Aperol replaces the sweet vermouth and bitters which comprise a traditional Manhattan, allowing the preparer to mix a Manhattan-like cocktail in less time with just two easily-measured ingredients.

Aperol is the Italian bitter orange liqueur famously known for the Aperol Spritz served in the northern part of Italy during “apertif hour”. It’s in the same family as Campari, but a little less bitter and more refined. For this drink, I suggest a 4:1 ratio of whiskey to Aperol.

• 3 oz. whiskey
• .75 oz. Aperol (or 1 oz. for a sweeter drink)
• Maraschino cherry (additional 1/2 tsp.of maraschino juice optional to sweeten)

Combine whiskey and Aperol in an ice-filled glass and stir for 30 seconds. Add 1/2 teaspoon of maraschino cherry juice if sweetening is desired. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Comments: There’s nothing worse than ruining a good whiskey with a cheap sweet vermouth. Mixing with a little Aperol instead of bad vermouth or unavailable vermouth solves that problem and doesn’t require the added bitters. This is about as simple as a cocktail mix can get and still yield a smooth, tasty whiskey drink, which is also closely aligned with the popular Manhattan.

Similar Drinks:

Manhattan: https://keetscocktails.com/manhattan-classic/

Peychauds Manhattan: https://keetscocktails.com/peychauds-manhattan-2/

Boulevardier: https://keetscocktails.com/boulevardier-2/

* from Keet’s Cocktails