To the traveling Manhattan drinkers

[MAJOR METAL]

To all the Manhattan drinkers that travel domestically and abroad do you ever ask for this fine cocktail whille out and the bartender has no idea what you are taking about ? I was recently in a mexican restraunt in Sothern California and asked the bartender for a Manhattan and he starts looking at bottles and said its a cocktail , he had never heard of it. I can allways go to the grocery store (yeah they sell booze there) and get the ingrediants myself.

 

[JimB52]

Any bartender approaching retirement should know what it is. Try asking for a bourbon Rob Roy.

 

[MAJOR METAL]

Any bartender approaching retirement should know what it is. Try asking for a bourbon Rob Roy.

Thanks ! This is the second time this happened to me out in California. The time before they went online for the recipe !

 

[EricF]

I find it sad when a bartender doesn't know a classic like a Manhattan - even in So Cal. Despite MM's experiences, I haven't had this problem.

MM - You need to start hanging out in classier joints.

 

[funkalicious101]

One of the reasons I drink gin and tonic. If you dont know how to make that then something is seriously wrong with you.

 

[smperry]

Haven't had that problem.

 

[rjny36]

I've never had trouble with a bartender not knowing what it is.

Trying to get a Manhattan made with rye instead of bourbon, however, is another story. Not a lot of rye drinkers out there anymore, and if a bar has any at all, it's usually Old Overholt or Jim Beam Rye.

 

[palm grease]

kev, ya goin into beer joints askin for fancy sippers?

 

[StyleOverShow]

So. Cal covers quite a lot of territory. Anyplace west of the San Berdo county line should fine you out of the sticks and into the cosmopolitan, Manhattan and even Grasshopper world.

 

[TBird1958]

Sir, You need a new bartender! A Manhattan is a classic cocktail, every bartender should know how to make one.

 

[jokerjkny]

One of the reasons I drink gin and tonic. If you dont know how to make that then something is seriously wrong with you.

course, just cause they think they know how to make a tank & tonic doesnt necessarily make them an eben freeman.

 

[jokerjkny]

Sir, You need a new bartender! A Manhattan is a classic cocktail, every bartender should know how to make one.

+1

its like knowing your circle of 5ths...

 

[tplyons]

Isn't that one of the six basic drinks? Wow, you need a new bartender.

 

[MAJOR METAL]

I've never had trouble with a bartender not knowing what it is.

Trying to get a Manhattan made with rye instead of bourbon, however, is another story. Not a lot of rye drinkers out there anymore, and if a bar has any at all, it's usually Old Overholt or Jim Beam Rye.

Rye really makes for a much sweeter expirence.

 

[Atoz]

As a confirmed Manhattan drinker, the response I usually get when ordering one is:

"Ugh... my grandfather drinks those."

 

[Steve Clark]

I go to Manhattan and ask for a Cesear. They say, "Oh you're Canadian?"

 

[bad_andy]

As someone with bar tending experience, I can say that the drink isn't as common as it once was. I went months without hearing a request for it. It seems like demand for a Manhattan is directly proportional to the average age of the crowd. Who knows? Maybe people just need to be reminded of the classics.

 

[Stanley Design]

Don't even try and get one in Montreal. Bars here RARELY have any bourbon, and usually just slap some Jameson's, Jack or Southern Comfort in with dry vermouth and no sweet. Not saying all of the variations are bad, but they ain't a Manhattan to me.

I like to make mine 2 1/2 bourbon or rye (usually Beam for bourbon or Wiser's Deluxe for rye), 1/2 dry, 1/2 sweet. Single ice cube, swirl in large glass, transfer to small glass. 2 marechino cherries on a toothpick. And I let the ice melt for about 3 minutes before I drink it.

I've never done mine with bitters, what are they anyway?

 

[MAJOR METAL]

I should just buy the stuff to make my own, that would be better for me then beer.

 

[EricF]

I should just buy the stuff to make my own, that would be better for me then beer.

Definitely make your own. Every man should have decent cocktail-making skills, as well as the necessary accerssories and ingredients.

I do enjoy a decent Manhattan, but I've found that they are best for me in the safety of my own home.