October is here, and that means it’s Manhattan Month! Amongst the falling leaves and cooling weather, for us and many others, October brings the sounds of clanking barware, flowing beverages and cheerful chatter, all centered around the classic Manhattan cocktail. If you’re a fan of Manhattans, then welcome to arguably the new best month of the year. We hope you’ll join us all October long in order to celebrate the Manhattan in all of its history, mystery and countless delicious interpretations.

Whether you’re new to Manhattans or a veteran and aficionado, let’s get started off with the classic recipe. There are a few slightly different versions of the original Manhattan recipe, most of which differ on the amount of vermouth to add and whether to use bourbon or rye whiskey. Try the original recipe below and feel free to play around with whatever version of whiskey and whiskey to vermouth ratio you prefer. As with all cocktails, the main objective is to find a version you like the most.

The Classic Manhattan

INGREDIENTS:

2 oz. Rye or bourbon whiskey
1/2 oz. to 1 oz. Vya Sweet Vermouth
3-5 dashes Angostura Bitters
Garnish: Brandied cherry (we recommend Luxardo Maraschino Cherries if you can splurge a little)

PREPARATION:

Combine ingredients in a mixing glass over ice. Stir and strain into glassware. Garnish and serve.

For the classic Manhattan cocktail recipe and most other variations we recommend our Vya Sweet Vermouth. It’s arguably the ideal vermouth for Manhattans as it delivers balanced, aromatic and rich flavors of various holiday spices like cinnamon, clove and ginger. These flavors pair oh-so-well with the vanillas and oaky notes in most whiskeys, especially rye’s.

So how do you participate in Manhattan Month? We’re glad you asked! Head over to www.manhattanmonth.com for the scoop, but one easy first step is to snap a picture or video of your Manhattan cocktail creation and share it on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using #manhattanmonth, and don’t forget to tag Vya Vermouth at @vyavermouth on Facebook and Twitter, and @officialvyavermouth on Instagram.

Later in the month, we’re going to dive into some creative Manhattan cocktail recipes, what to look for when using different whiskeys, bitters and garnishes, and more.

Cheers!