A great cocktail is transcendent. It is a timeless testament to its creator and a benchmark from which all alcoholic beverages can be judged. The Manhattan is a rye or bourbon lover’s dream and embodies the spirit of America. A perfect blend of spirits, sweet vermouth, and bitters, the Manhattan has a striking aroma, which fans of the drink recognize immediately. As the first drink to make use of vermouth as a component, the Manhattan truly is the Grandfather of American Cocktails.
The history of the Manhattan has a fairly convincing story behind it, only because it is so often repeated. As the story goes, the drink was made for Lady Randolph Churchill, Winston Churchill’s mother at the Manhattan Club in the 1870’s where it was thoroughly enjoyed and became quite popular. However, the story has been picked apart and it seems it may not be true. The reality is that the Manhattan was probably one of the five borough cocktails (Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Queen’s and the Staten Island cocktail) made to represent the neighborhoods of New York City.
So you might be wondering why Napa Valley Distillery chose to alter the recipe of a classic American cocktail. They have a few good reasons. First, many Pre-Prohibition cocktails that now feature rye or bourbon once featured brandy. Secondly, brandy is one of their favorite things in this wide world. Lastly, as Americans they love to innovate, improve and try new things, so they thought, “What the hell, let’s give it a whirl!” They think you’ll love it as much as they do. Don’t forget the cherry!
Simply want to swing by and pick up the perfect Manhattan gift set? NVD has you covered!
The Manhattan Gift Set
Let’s hear it for New York! The timeless Americana cocktail that has been perfected with the traditional maraschino cherry. Send the gift of age-perfected drink that takes less than a New York minute to make. Don your best top hat, plop a cherry, pour the drink, and settle in your lounge chair by the fire before the frost can nip your nose. You’ll be king of the hill when you give the gift with the namesake of the world’s most famous island. Each gift set includes one bottle of NVD’s Brandy Manhattan Cocktail, and a 12oz jar of Luxardo Premium Maraschino Cherries.
Also available to order online.