In one of our visits to the bar Bull & Bear at the Waldorf Astoria in New York, talking to our friend and bartender Oscar Estrades, he explained the following anecdote. On one occasion, a customer asked Oscar for a Manhattan and hugging the red cherry like it was a life savior was found a Drosophila Melanogaster or “fruit gnat”. After which it took place the following dialogue:

– Barman! What is this? – he said pointing the Drosophila.

– This? – replied Oscar -. This is a Manhattan

– No, no, this – he said pointing back to the fly.

Oscar, with the best of his smiles and unperturbed, replied – This is Central Park in Manhattan, sir.

Although the origin of the Manhattan cocktail has generated much controversy, the version that takes more force over its birth dates from 1886 in the city of New York. When Jenny Churchill, mother of Winston Churchill, organized a party at the Manhattan Club in honor of a friend of his father, Samuel J. Tilden, after being elected governor of New York. Jenny wanted to pay tribute to his host and instructed the bartender to establish a special cocktail for the occasion.

Critics of the previous story, like many others, believe that the cocktail has its origin in the New York district after which it is named. We find another version which says that the cocktail comes from a dance with the same name, very fashionable in the late nineteenth century.

A classic drink that offers the possibility to enjoy the taste of good whiskey. Some people replace the whiskey for Canadian Bourbon following the tradition imposed at the time of the Dry Law, when being prohibited the use of domestic whiskey, the Mafia imported it from Canada. The final touch is provided by the bitter hit and the red vermouth.

A subtle and elegant combination that evokes another era where men wore top hats and women wore white silk gloves.