Bring Back the Cocktail Hour

I am a huge fan of the TV show Mad Men.  I love the sets, clothes and general air of 60's sophistication.  Oh, and did I mention my love for Don Draper???  But I digress.  One of the things about the show that I find so amusing is the way they all sit around and drink cocktails all day and night.  I'm telling you what.  If I sat around drinking cocktails at my office like those characters do, well let's just say there wouldn't be much work done.

I do like the idea of a cocktail hour though.  I have read a number of articles in my cooking magazines about the resurrection of that tradition and that some of the old cocktails have been making a comeback.  We're talking real honest-to-God martinis, not appletinis or peachtinis, but gin, vermouth and a couple of nice green olives.  Another old classic is the Manhattan.  This is a drink that perhaps I've had a sip of, but have never understood its components.

Today I decided to shake one up and give it whirl.  I didn't have any sweet vermouth, but according to my Playboy recipe book of cocktails (where on earth did I ever get that book, I wondered today?) one can use dry vermouth and it's just called a dry Manhattan. Not being a fan of sweet drinks, I thought it would do just fine.   It tasted good as far as whiskey based drinks go.  Next time I make one though, I will make sure to get some sweet vermouth and ascertain the differences between the two.

Dry Manhattan

1/2 oz. dry vermouth

2 oz. blended whiskey

1 dash of bitters

1 marashino cherry for garnish

Mix all of the alcohol in a shaker with 6-8 ice cubes.  Shake 60 times.  Pour into an martini glass or cocktail glass. Garnish with the cherry and think of Don Draper!