Whiskey cocktails have had a massive revival since the first season of Mad Men when we saw Don Draper sucking down those Old Fashioned’s for creative inspiration. Now, 15 years later, the battle of the cocktails continues on every fucking menu in a trendy bar with a “mixologist” behind the counter. News flash…you are a bartender, not a fucking chemist. After all the retro cocktails and new crazy ones created two remain on top. The Old Fashioned and the Manhattan. For the various receipts I recommend you look them up as if you go down the rabbit hole to the 1880’s bartender books they are very different form the 1960’s to modern times.
The Old Fashioned was one of the simpler and earlier versions of a cocktail that dates back the early 1800’s. It has been mentioned from the 1830’s to the 1880’s from NYC to Chicago to Kentucky with various people claiming ownership to the drink with various receipts but all about the same.
The Manhattan was said to originated at the Manhattan Club in New York City in the mid-1870s. Another account it was invented in the 1860’s at a bar on Broadway near Houston Street.
History varies so much that I don’t really care who or when it was created. Just glad someone was creative enough to come up with the drink.
Which one to have? When to have it? How to enjoy it? What to put in it? It all depends but maybe we should consider the overall taste profile of what you get when you order the drink.
Old Fashioned
- Served: On the rocks
- Smells spic and of oranges
- Tastes spicy and rough
- Sandpaper but snappy
- Overall: Fresh tasting with a little burn, citrus flavors, and not as much flavor or smooth as a Manhattan.
Manhattan
- Served: Straight up
- Smells sweet
- Tastes a bit sweet but sharp on the tongue
- Overall: Smooth and sweet, doesn’t burn that much and easier to drink than an Old Fashioned.
In my opinion drink the Old Fashioned for regular drinking and drink the Manhattan when you need class it up a little.
If you like it, drink it! – Christopher
If you like it, drink it!
