
The DNA of New York
A Manhattan built in a travel case — rye, sweet vermouth, one brandied cherry — poured three time zones from Manhattan and tasting identical
Some clients have written her into the contract by name, insisting Jaclyn Bernstein personally show up to work a reception three time zones from Manhattan. "You represent the DNA of New York, and the DNA of New York is something you cannot fake." She didn't pause: "That's exactly it."
Why this cocktail? Clients fly her in by name. A Manhattan that tastes the same anywhere she lands.
The Story
What those clients are buying isn't local trivia about wherever the event happens to be; it's an operating method that isn't tied to a zip code and apparently travels intact wherever she's flown in to run it. So the drink is the most New York cocktail there is, packed and carried, mixed on arrival with nothing substituted and nothing local swapped in. The accent survives the flight.
Read Full Story →Ingredients
- 2 oz rye whiskey
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- Brandied cherry
- Wide lemon peel
Preparation
- 1.Stir rye, vermouth and bitters over ice until very cold.
- 2.Strain into a chilled coupe carried in for the purpose.
- 3.Express a wide lemon peel over the surface and discard.
- 4.Drop in one brandied cherry.
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