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I have a home bar so well stocked I swear I could make almost any cocktail on this (excellent) site, but what do I end up having almost every time I fancy a cocktail? Manhattan sweet, late at night, pre dinner or even by the pool on holiday (remember holidays?) Favourite drink of all time.

Traditionally speaking, rye is king of you ask me. But, if you're using bourbon there are ones with a high percent of rye (Bulleit).

I love a good Manhattan! I always use rye whiskey; George Dickel Rye is my favorite--not the fanciest but it blends beautifully with Carpano Antica vermouth. I highly recommend subbing in different brands of old-fashioned bitters if you're getting tired of Angostura.

A nice bourbon cocktail. I like the fanciness with the martini glass but honestly I don't see myself drinking this other an Old Fashioned.

I tend to vary the bourbon (Maker's Mark still a favourite). Used to use Cinzano 1757 but currently either Cocchi Vermouth di Torino (v. good) or Carpano Antica Formula (absolute winner!). Stopped using bitters as found it just detracted from the complexity of high quality vermouth. Best to date is about 60/40(-ish) Maker's Mark/Carpano. Definitely Luxardo maraschino cherry (maybe a drizzle of the syrup). Clementine twists add a hint of Christmas. Slight dilution by the ice not a bad thing.

I like to use a 50% abv bourbon or rye whiskey and change the whiskey-to-vermouth ratio to 1:1. The result is a cocktail with more of the taste of the vermouth, but the strength of the cocktail is the same as for one with a 40% abv whiskey and a 2:1 whiskey-to-vermouth ratio

What with the Fourth of July, National Bourbon Day and Willie Nelson Day, it had to be a Manhattan, with Jack Daniels Rye, Martini Rosso, a bar spoon of Maraschino Cherry syrup, Orange bitters, orange zest, and TWO Maraschino cherries… a taste of heaven. Cheers!

I love getting drunk to this. Cheers!