Warren Bobrow’s Cocktail Hour – Dr. Iain Marshall cocktail (with a very warped twist)

By Florence von Pelet

I love a classic Manhattan. Unfortunately most of the ingredients in a Manhattan are not up to the high level of flavor that I require in my home-crafted cocktails. It’s always disappointing to me when I order one. Usually the vermouth is “speed-rack” quality… Or worse!

Not to mention the glass. Aren’t you tired of drinks being served in glassware that stinks of the dish machine? Maybe there is an oily film on the inside of glass, or worse yet- it tastes like someone’s dinner? Do I detect tomato sauce?

Hmmmm.

Clean glassware is essential to the well crafted cocktail. Spend a couple more bucks on the glass that you use! In the long run, you’ll gain more appreciation for your cocktail if you have a personal connection with your glass. For my twisted Manhattan recipe I used a Baccarat Crystal Rocks glass. This massive hunk of glass fits beautifully in your hand. The cut crystal elements bind it to your fingers. It’s not going to slip and crash unceremoniously to the floor.

That would be very bad.

My Manhattan cocktail uses Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon as the base. I then pour in a small measure of a newly released and extremely intriguing liqueur named Sorel. Sorel is unique in the marketplace with the flavor of herbs and Caribbean roots and spices. Sorel works beautifully in a Manhattan. My other favorite ingredient in a Manhattan is the vermouth. I use Carpano Antica Formula and you should too. This is not a cheap purchase, but it is one that will bring you great pleasure. I love the Antica Formula neat with a twist, on the rocks with a splash of freshly drawn seltzer and of course the amalgamation of the classic cocktail named the Manhattan.

Now those of you who know my twisted sensibility will already understand where this conversation is going. I’m a fan of the Curry Bitters from my friend Bill York. He owns the company named Bitter End. These electrifying, powerful- otherworldly perhaps- cocktail bitters take the classic cocktail, now twisted with Sorel, to another level entirely.

Scary perhaps.

A Twisted Manhattan.. renamed the Dr. Iain Marshall cocktail. The inventor of the Manhattan Cocktail.

Ingredients for obliterating the sound mind and body of two of your closest friends:

4 Shots of Four Roses Small Batch Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey

1 Shot of Sorel (gosh this is really gorgeous stuff- tastes like Mexican Cola and Dr. Brown’s Cream)

1 Shot of Carpano Antica Formula Sweet Vermouth

Exactly 4 drops (per glass) Bitter End Curry Bitters

Home Cured Maraschino Cherries (throw out those red things sitting on your pantry shelf!)

Preparation:

Chill Liquors in a cocktail shaker with ice

Stir careful to chill, but not add too much water to the mixture

Add the vermouth to the Sorel and the Four Roses