If you are still looking for the perfect turkey for Thanksgiving, well, I can’t help you. But I can offer this delicious Manhattan made with Wild Turkey. This recipe – called a “perfect” Manhattan because it uses equal amounts of both sweet and dry vermouth – is from Bon Appetit, circa 2005, and it specified Wild Turkey bourbon. But since I like my Manhattans made with rye whiskey, I substituted Wild Turkey Rye 81 proof. I actually tried it with both to be sure. The things I do for you guys! Use the rye. And Happy Turkey Day.
Perfect Turkey
¼ cup Wild Turkey Rye 81
1 ½ teaspoons sweet vermouth
1 ½ teaspoons dry vermouth
(for rim of glass)
¼ cup sugar
1 ½ teaspoons ground allspice and nutmeg
Orange peel (optional)
Shake rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and dry vermouth with ice in a cocktail shaker. Serve in a Martini glass with a spice-sugared rim (mix sugar with ground allspice and nutmeg). Garnish with orange peel.
Some Manhattan recipes call for bitters, but the inclusion of the dry vermouth here keeps this from being too sweet even without them. And the aroma of the nutmeg and allspice on the sugared rim adds complexity even if you don’t consume them.
