Gift: The Perfect Manhattan

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Over the course of your life, you will probably be invited to at least one shower, engagement party or bachelorette party that has a “Stock the Bar” theme. This means that you bring a gift and a bottle of liquor. Sometimes I think the gifts can become redundant at these showers because most people don’t register for a large # of bar items, so I like to choose my gift based on a recipe. It will help guide your purchases, especially if you need to pair some more obscure items together.

Anyone who knows me knows I love Bourbon, and I’m likely the person who gave them a Bourbon centered gift at these parties. Here are my suggestions for the best gift items and a recipe for a “Perfect Manhattan” gift box (adjust items based on budget):

  • Bourbon – this part of the gift should be of a certain quality – I wouldn’t buy a bottle of Jim Beam as a gift. I generally stock my bar with Knob Creek, Bulleit or Woodford Reserve, but if you’re lost as the attendant at your local liquor store.
  • Martini Glasses – generally this drink is served in a martini glass, but you could get away with DOF (Double Old Fashioned) glasses would be ok too.
  • Bar Tools kit – this includes a strainer, a jigger, garnish knife and tongs – essentials for making any cocktail. The stainless steel is easy to clean as well which I like. There are kits all over the place like this, and it is likely a bride will register for one, or for the items individually.
  • Shaker: Every person needs a shaker in their bar – this one is attractive and even includes recipes!
  • Bitters – an essential ingredient for the Manhattan but also other cocktails as well. Its a great additional item to tie this recipe together.
  • A hand-written recipe card with the entire recipe and a personal note

I like to wrap gifts like this in more rustic wrapping paper – butchers paper, newspaper or fabric and tie the box with twine. Something about it gives the package a little something extra. if you don’t want to do that, most retailers have distinctive wrapping paper for their brand that they give away with your purchase – just ask them to give you the wrapping materials and the right size box to include the bottle of alcohol that you’re going to add so you can assemble it before the party.

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The Perfect Manhattan.

Ingredients
  • 2 1/2 ounces bourbon whiskey
  • 1 ounce sweet vermouth
  • 2-3 dashes aromatic bitters (We use Angostura)
  • maraschino cherry for garnish
  • orange peel for garnish
Method
  1. Fill a martini glass to the brim with ice so it chills while you make the Manhattan.
  2. Add whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters to a shaker or glass with a few ice cubes, and then stir or gently shake. Do not over do it, you do not want the ice to water down the drink.
  3. Discard ice from martini glass then strain Manhattan into the chilled glass and garnish with cherry and orange peel.
Notes

Find Angostura bitters at your local liqueur store or sometimes you can find it in the mixers section of the grocery store.

While we used bourbon in this version, it is also popular to use rye whiskey.

We like our Manhattan on the sweeter side, but if you prefer things on the dryer side, use 50/50 sweet vermouth to dry vermouth.

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