With a taste as big as the borough it's named after, the Manhattan cocktail is a simple and likeable sip for spirit lovers worldwide.

This origin of this timeless cocktail can be traced back to New York City in the early 1870s, when local bartenders dabbled with tastes to please patrons. Made with whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters, the unfussy drink is easy to put together - just what you want after a hard week in the office.

Simply blending the measures can leave the drink quite potent, but the added cherry gives it a soft, sweet twist.  The Manhattan is subject to numerous variations and innovations, so why not unleash your creative side this weekend?

Cheers.

Glass:

Martini glass

Ingredients:

50ml bourbon whisky/rye whisky

20ml sweet vermouth

2-3 dashes aromatic bitters (Angostura works well)

Maraschino cherry for garnish

Orange peel for garnish

Directions:

Fill a martini glass to the brim with ice so it chills while you make the Manhattan. Add whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters to a shaker or glass with a 2-3 cubes of ice. Stir gently, careful not to water down the drink. Discard ice from martini glass then strain Manhattan into the chilled glass.