Perfect Manhattan

Recipe: Perfect Manhattan (serves one)

• 2 1/2 oz. whiskey
• 1/2 oz. dry vermouth
• 1/2 oz. sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes (= 1/4 tsp) Angostura bitters or Margerum amaro
• lemon peel

Stir liquid ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Strain into cocktail glass and garnish with lemon peel.

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You can decide for yourself whether you think this is the perfect Manhattan or not, but “perfect” is cocktail lingo for a drink that has equal parts dry and sweet vermouth. You can order a perfect Martini or perfect Rob Roy as well. We prefer the Perfect Manhattan made with Margerum amaro in place of the traditional Angostura bitters, for a sweeter and smoother drink — but it’s good either way. For another variant, try the Sweet Manhattan.