Theresa Johnston

From Our Life & Style Editor, Theresa Johnston

Every man should know how to mix two cocktails: a martini and a manhattan. Feel intimidated by the craft cocktail trend overtaking the West Coast right now? You can relax, these consummate cocktails are simple to make and will never go out of fashion.

Before we get started, I’d like to note that arguing about the “right” way to make these drinks is as classic as the cocktails themselves. Should they be stirred or shaken? Rye or bourbon? Gin or vodka? Lemon twist or olive? Served up or down? Enough already! What it comes down to is personal taste. Once you master the basic ratios, you can develop your own “perfect” martini or manhattan cocktail.

Booze
First you need booze. I’ve selected vodka and dry vermouth for the martini, and bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters for the manhattan.

Tools
Next, you need some tools. For my cocktails I need a shaker, a couple of glasses, a citrus zester, and a Misto Martini Vermouth Sprayer.

Recipes
Finally, you need a basic recipe. I’m adapting recipes from the quintessential cocktail book, The Ultimate A-Z Bar Guide by Sharon Tyler Herbst & Ron Herbst.

Styleguyde Martini
– 2 ounces vodka (or gin)
– 3 spritzes of dry vermouth with my Misto (Note: you can use as little or as much vermouth as you like here. Some recipes call for up to a tablespoon. No need for a Misto unless you’re a cocktail geek like me.)
– Lemon twist (or olive)

Spritz the cocktail glass with vermouth. Shake the vodka with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain the shaken vodka into a glass. Garnish with the lemon twist.

Styleguyde Manhattan
– 2 ounces bourbon (or rye whiskey)
– 1 ounce sweet vermouth
– 1-2 dashes of bitters
– Orange twist (or cherry)

Shake the first three ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker. You can also stir the ingredients with ice. Strain the liquid into a cocktail glass. Garnish with the orange twist.

How do you like your martini and manhattan cocktails?