Matt Piacentini’s Perfect Manhattan

Matt Piacentini, The Up & Up | New York

For this riff on the Perfect Manhattan, which uses equal parts sweet and dry vermouth, Matt Piacentini subs in oloroso sherry for the dry vermouth, which adds a subtle, mouthwateringly salty hint that still plays well with the remaining measure of sweet vermouth. “A lot of bartenders are finding that a bit of saline works well in drinks,” Piacentini comments. “It just adds a dynamic to it.”

Ingredients

Serving: 1

  • 2 ounces rye
  • 2 ounces rye
  • 1/2 ounce sweet vermouth
  • 1/2 ounce sweet vermouth
  • 1/2 ounce oloroso sherry
  • 1/2 ounce oloroso sherry
  • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
  • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Garnish: brandied cherry or lemon twist

Directions
  1. Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass over ice and stir until chilled.
  2. Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.
  3. Garnish with a brandied cherry or lemon twist.

Tagged: drink hack, sherry