Metropolitan (1884)

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (13)
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 1⁄2 fl oz Ambrato/ambre/amber vermouth
3⁄4 fl oz Cognac (brandy)
1⁄12 fl oz Gomme syrup
3 dash Angostura Aromatic Bitters

How to make

Glass

Photographed in a Modern America Nick & Nora

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a NICK & NORA GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of skewered Luxardo Maraschino Cherry.

Method

  1. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  2. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. Garnish with skewered cherry.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Metropolitan (1884) contains 119 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1 standard drinks
  • 19.45% alc./vol. (38.9° proof)
  • 13.8 grams of pure alcohol

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

History

Adapted from a recipe in O. H. Byron's 1884 The Modern Bartenders' Guide. Tellingly, this recipe appears beneath two versions of the Manhattan, the first-known recipe for a Manhattan.

Metropolitan Cocktail.
(A small wine-glass.)
½ pony brandy.
1 " French vermouth.
3 dashes Angostura bitters.
3 " gum syrup.

O. H. Byron, 1884

Review

A dry vermouth-forward brandy Manhattan suited to the pre- or after-dinner occasion.

Variations/similar cocktails

1993 Metropolitan Cocktail.

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Gallery

Comments & Discussion

Sc'Eric
When was ambrato invented?
score: 1
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Noilly Prat Ambré, the vermouth many favour for this cocktail, was first made in 1986. As reproduced above, the original 1884 recipe merely calls for "French vermouth."
score: 2
Sc'Eric
Thanks for the clarification. I was under the impression that the goal for this recipe was to keep it "authentic" to the period/timeline, so far as we know it.

I really do appreciate the direction that you're taking this site, Simon! Thank you.
score: 1
Shashikant Yadav
Yeah Sir u are right 👍🏻
score: 1
Chris Dimal
Haha! I made probably the worst version of this drink with Cinzano Extra Dry, a cheap French Grape Brandy and a barspoon of sugar syrup to compensate for no gum syrup. It was still tasty. I guess it was the barspoon of sugar! A solid 4!
score: 2

See more...

Difford’s Shop logo
$0.11 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 128 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.