Manhattan, Straight Up!

I can still hear her wobbly voice as she’d whisper with a coquettish grin, “I’ll have a Manhattan, straight up!” This octogenarian and her husband reserved the same table every Wednesday evening at the country club where I waited tables in Hyde Park, New York. I’ll never know her story, but I do know with certainty one thing. She rationed her sips to last the length of their three course dinner. Her dainty amber elixir was never taken for granted, and neither was the waitress.

Not unlike the triple ingredients, this recipe is a ménage à trois of my past and present: combining southern roots, current zip code (Germany) and the alluring memory of a woman who wore this cocktail’s effects with exuberance!

Judy’s Manhattan

2oz. Bourbon

1oz. Sweet Vermouth

Dash of bitters

Directions: Add bourbon, sweet vermouth and bitters to a mixing glass with ice, stir. Strain into well-chilled stemware. Garnish with a cherry (I used apricots, too).