Winter is Port season and this week we look to use it in a cocktail. While Port is most often enjoyed on its own as a digestif, it also has value in mixology when combined with other ingredients. One of our favorite cocktails utilizing port as an ingredient is the signature drink of the Sir Francis Drake hotel in San Francisco. Known as the Bar Drake Manhattan, a simple variation on the Manhattan that replaces sweet vermouth with Grahams 10 Year Old Tawny Port and accents the flavor with a bar spoon of maple syrup. Their recipe calls for specific brands and though you can substitute, we followed the exact recipe and found it to be worth the extra effort to assemble the drink as it is made on location.
Bar Drake Manhattan
- 2 1/4 ounces Woodford Reserve Bourbon
- 1 ounce Graham’s 10-year Tawny Port
- 1 (1/2-ounce) bar spoon maple syrup
- 1 dash Angostura Bitters
Pour all ingredients over ice into a mixing glass. Stir the drink and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with brandied cherries, we suggest Luxardo Cherries.
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