Rum isn’t just for Piña Coladas and Daiquiris. It’s a spirit with nuance and regional character, depending on where it’s from, who’s making it and how (or if) it’s aged. One of our favorite cocktail redecorating techniques? Swapping the spirit in a storied classic cocktail for something a bit unexpected.
In the instance of today’s cocktail, that’s trading the Manhattan’s traditional whiskey element for an aged, rich rum. The latter spirit is distilled from sugar cane or molasses, and while the fermenting and distillation process doesn’t leave the expected sugary sweetness you might expect, it can be awash with rich, vanilla, crême brûlée and caramel aromas and flavors from time spent again in barrels. With that in mind, the swap of another typical Manhattan ingredient — sweet vermouth — for orange-kissed Montenegro Amaro leans into the spirit’s dried fruit and spice notes.
With rain in the forecast this weekend, it’s not a bad excuse to light a fire in the fireplace and mix up a cozy batch of this warming Manhattan riff. It might even make rum your mixable go-to from now on. Cheers, friends!
The Manhattan Knight
Ingredients
- 2 oz Don Q Reserva Especial
- 1 oz Amaro Montenegro
- 2 dashes Angostura or orange bitters
- 1 lemon peel
Directions
- In a mixing glass with ice, combine all liquid ingredients.
- Stir until well-chilled, about 10 to 15 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
- Garnish with the lemon peel. Happy Friday!
