Classic Manhattan

Ingredients

• 8 oz rye whiskey or bourbon (2 oz per serving, approximately 40-50% ABV)
• 4 oz sweet vermouth (1 oz per serving)
• 8 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters (2 dashes per serving)
• 4 maraschino cherries, for garnish
• 4 orange peel twists, for garnish (optional)
• 2 cups ice cubes, for stirring
• NON-ALCOHOLIC VARIATION: 8 oz non-alcoholic whiskey alternative such as Ritual Zero Proof (2 oz per serving)
• NON-ALCOHOLIC VARIATION: 4 oz non-alcoholic sweet vermouth alternative such as Lyre's Vermouth Rosso (1 oz per serving)

Instructions

1. Chill 4 coupe or martini glasses by filling them with ice water and setting them aside while you prepare the cocktails.
2. For each serving, combine 2 oz rye whiskey or bourbon, 1 oz sweet vermouth, and 2 dashes of Angostura bitters in a mixing glass.
3. Fill the mixing glass with a generous amount of ice cubes, enough to fully submerge the liquid.
4. Stir the mixture briskly with a long bar spoon for approximately 30 seconds, or about 40 to 50 rotations, until the drink is well chilled and properly diluted.
5. Discard the ice water from the chilled serving glasses to prepare them for pouring.
6. Place a fine mesh strainer or julep strainer over each serving glass and strain the stirred cocktail evenly from the mixing glass into the glass, discarding the ice.
7. Garnish each glass with one maraschino cherry dropped into the drink and optionally twist an orange peel over the surface to express the oils, then rest it on the rim.
8. Serve immediately and repeat the process for the remaining three servings, stirring each batch fresh for best results.
9. For the non-alcoholic variation, substitute the whiskey with a non-alcoholic whiskey alternative and the sweet vermouth with a non-alcoholic vermouth alternative, following the same ratios and steps above for a zero-proof Manhattan that retains the aromatic complexity of the original.