Apartment Therapy The Kitchn | Cocktail Recipe: Manhattan with a Twist

Cocktail Recipe: Manhattan with a Twist

One of the great things about sipping cocktails at expensive lounges is that if you pay close enough attention (or read the menu and take note, whichever pertains), you can re-create the libation for a lot less - and many times over - at home. This take on the traditional Manhattan had us swooning during a visit to Chicago's The Violet Hour last fall...

We'd never heard of Falernum (a sweet syrup with Caribbean origins), but that proved the true twist on this sweetened-up whiskey drink. I'm more inclined to eyeball ingredients than to measure (applying the freestyle method to drink making), but my husband and I did come up with a fairly standard measuring system for this one. What we don't have is a name for it. Thoughts?

2 ounces Power's Irish whiskey
1/2 ounces Falernum (or a bit more to sweeten to taste); we use John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum, which contains white rum (you can also find non-alcoholic types)
2 healthy splashes of bitters
One strip orange peel

Originally inspired by an autumn cocktail at The Violet Hour.

(Image: Heather Blaha)

Comments (6)

Check out The Whistler next time you're in Chicago. Just as delicious as Violet Hour yet half the price.

posted by bali2 on March 19th 2009 at 3:01pm
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For whatever reason I love the look of the rustic orange peel in there...nice touch. Now I am craving a Manhattan!

posted by Noble Pig on March 19th 2009 at 3:36pm
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I do like a Manhattan when it's made well! Yum!

posted by Dana McCauley on March 19th 2009 at 4:39pm
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I just had a craaaazy day at work - I could go for one of these - or two - right now!

posted by justveggingout on March 19th 2009 at 5:31pm
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Although reverse-engineering is fun, Toby from the Violet Hour is very generous about sharing the actual recipes for his drinks in this thread from LTHForum.com:

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=20283&p=210207

posted by ndg on March 19th 2009 at 7:05pm
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Sounds VERY nummy! (my hubby is a scotch freak)
If I were to name this I would go with "Power-Fale" (pronounced power- fail) probally sounds bad but then I am attracted to such things

posted by Aquablood on March 19th 2009 at 7:07pm
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