Unless you live in a dry county, it’s probably hard to believe at one point in your life it wasn’t so easy to walk into a bar after a long day at work and order a cocktail to relax. For 13 years in the United States, it was illegal to purchase, produce, import and transport alcoholic beverages. While federal law did not prohibit consumption in the privacy of your own home, depending on the state you lived in it could be illegal.
Prohibition officially ended 80 years ago tomorrow, December 5th National Repeal Day. I think for those of us who have been out of school for quite some years the history of prohibition is one that you put in the back of your mind; but thanks to one of my favorite shows Boardwalk Empire we have a new {fictional} telling of the history.
Dark spirits were especially popular in the 1920’s and 30’s and it was easy for bootleggers to create at home in distillers they created themselves. If you were in the know you might have popped into a speakeasy and enjoyed a Manhattan or perhaps and Old Fashioned.
In honor of the 80th anniversary, I’ve come up with a seasonal twist (no pun) on the Manhattan. The base is the same, rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters – the garnish is where this drink flourishes. A twist of orange rind and a dusting of freshly grated nutmeg evokes the scents of winter.
Ingredients
- 2oz Rye Whiskey (such as Bulleit Rye)
- 1oz Sweet Vermouth
- 7-8 drops orange bitters
- strip of orange rind
- about 1/8 teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg
- ice
Instructions
- Fill your martini glass with ice and water to chill. Let sit while making your cocktail and dump out prior to filling your glass.
- Rub the rim off the chilled martini glass with the orange rind, then twist and place in the glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, fill with ice and pour in the rye, vermouth and bitters. Stir - do not shake it will cloud the liquor and pour into your glass.
- Finish by grating nutmeg over the top of the cocktail.
Notes
A couple of notes on the Rye I chose to use. Bulleit Rye is my whiskey of choice at home. I've been of fan of their bourbon for some time now and recently started tasting the Rye. The taste is smooth with notes of maple and oak and no burn in your throat. It's the perfect choice for your Manhattan.
Disclaimer: I was provided with samples of Bulleit Rye, all opinions are my own.
Sounds divine!
I love Boardwalk Empire! I’m still two episodes behind the season finale and I’m putting off watching them so I don’t have to have it end so early 🙂
Loving the Bulleit you’ve been using in your cocktails recently! Thank God the national nightmare of Prohibition is dead and over.
Sounds perfect for the season. I love the orange rind and nutmeg in there. Cheers to the National Repeal Day today!
Cheers to you Oge!
Adore the idea of freshly grated nutmeg in a cocktail! Well done!
Pingback: 52 Holiday Cocktails to Try This Season