In the hope that the temps will drop below 50 degrees F this weekend (as the weather readers on TV said it would), I offer up that it is finally time for the first Manhattan cocktail of the season. Drinking brown liquor in Florida is problematic; it is far too hot for the thick, sweat-inducing highs of bourbon or whiskey. But once the temp drops, it is time for the most adult drink of all. I offer the following recipe, in memory of The Turf in downtown Tampa, which made one mean damn Manhattan:
2 oz. Crown Royal (OK, for those bourbon purists, substitute Maker’s Mark)
1/2 oz. Sweet Vermouth
A dash of bitters (optional)
A dash or so of maraschino cherry juice
One maraschino cherry with stem
Combine the first four ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice cubes (not ice chips, as they melt far too fast). Shake gently, strain into a chilled martini glass. Savor slowly. Repeat.
So, what do you drink when the thermometer drops in FLA?
This article appears in Dec 7-13, 2005.