Drink Matron

Category: Booze of the Week – American Rye Whiskey

  • What’s So Fancy About Rye Whiskey?

    Each variety of whiskey is special in its own way and has its own distinct flavor.  Where bourbons are typically sweeter, ryes have a spicy flavor.  In the U.S., Rye Whiskey is required by law to contain 51% or more rye in the mash.  The rye lends its flavor heartily to the whiskey, making for a dry, spicy flavor that sets it apart from other whiskeys.

    America had its love affair with rye whiskey prior to Prohibition. It was the most prolific spirit available in the U.S. and was almost the only thing drank in the Northeast.  George Washington even distilled the stuff at his Mt. Vernon home.  Very few rye whiskey distillers survived Prohibition, meaning supply was negligible.  America quickly turned its attention to bourbon and nearly forgot about rye whiskey, leaving it to the purview of hillbillies and others not intimidated by Johnny Law for making their own hooch.

    In recent years, rye whiskey has started to make a comeback.  Major bourbon distillers now offer their own brands of rye and they are starting to be seen more frequently in bars across the country.  If you’re like me and are not a big fan of sugary, sweet drinks – next time you order a cocktail that calls for bourbon, ask the bartender to put rye in its place.  You’ll be pleasantly surprised how much more tolerable the cocktail is.

  • Rye Whiskey Recipes – The Classic Manhattan

    One of the most well known drinks of the modern age, the Manhattan gives its drinker an air of class and good taste. It’s simple to mix, just don’t mess with the recipe.

    It’s hard to say when the Manhattan was first poured, however, the most common story is that it was invented during a 1870’s banquet at the Manhattan Club hosted by Winston Churchill’s mother Jennie Jerome. The party was for democratic candidate Samuel J. Tilden, who didn’t win the election, but whose party drink became favorable with both democrats and republicans. People were soon ordering “the Manhattan cocktail” after the place it originated, giving the drink its name.

    Other stories claim that the drink was originally mixed by a man named Black in a bar on Broadway, that it was invented at a party for Tilden but that Jerome was not involved, and that there really was no origin, that Manhattan was just another name people called a drink that mixed whiskey, bitters and sugar syrup (which was later replaced with vermouth).

    Most commonly using rye whiskey as its main element, the Manhattan can also be made with Canadian and Tennessee whiskey, Scotch or bourbon. How much vermouth is added depends on the bartender, and often, bitters is not included. For many, however, the original recipe cannot and should not be diverted from – the drink is too much of a classic. Purists will often discourage any use of garnish as well, saying that the added flavor takes away from the true essence of the cocktail. However, the drink is traditionally served with a maraschino cherry.

    The Manhattan

    • 3/4 oz. sweet vermouth
    • 2 1/2 oz. rye whiskey
    • 1 dash Angostura bitters
    • Highball glass

    Combine the vermouth, bourbon whiskey, and bitters with 2 – 3 ice cubes in a mixing glass. Stir gently, don’t bruise the spirits and cloud the drink. Strain the whiskey mixture into a highball glass.

    Can also be served on the rocks.