The Manhattan Cocktail

History, lore, and over fifty recipes in a "compulsively readable book about a classic American cocktail" (Susan Reigler, author of Kentucky Bourbon Country).

Alongside such classics as the Old Fashioned, Mint Julep, and Martini, the Manhattan has been a staple of the sophisticated bar scene since the nineteenth century. Never out of style, this iconic drink has seen a renaissance in the craft cocktail movement, with a boost from TV's Mad Men. In theory, the recipe is simple: a mixture of whiskey, vermouth, and bitters stirred with ice, strained, and presented in a cocktail glass garnished with a cherry. But the exact ingredients and proportions—as well as the drink's true origins—inspire great debate.


In this guide, Albert W. A. Schmid dispels myths, including the tale that the Manhattan was created in 1874 by bartenders at New York City's Manhattan Club to honor the newly elected Governor Tilden at Lady Randolph Churchill's request. Schmid also explores places and people that have contributed to the drink's popularity and inspired its lore, including J. P. Morgan, who enjoyed a Manhattan every day at the end of trading on Wall Street.

The Manhattan Cocktail also examines the effects of various bourbons and whiskeys on the aroma and flavor, even answering the age-old question of "shaken or stirred?" With over fifty recipes as well as notes and anecdotes from personalities ranging from renowned mixologist Dale DeGroff to writer Sir Kingsley Amis, it will delight both the cocktail novice and the seasoned connoisseur.