Looking for the perfect summer cocktail? Check out "The Perfect Manhattan" (Broadway Books, $21.95) by former New York bartenders Leanne Shear and Tracey Toomey. Their tome is all about the juicy, behind-the-bar scenes of a young bartender on the racy New York and Hamptons party circuit.

EMAIL THIS PRINT THIS MOST POPULAR
Related: • Search for more drink recipes • Search ajc.com's recipes • More on food and drink

MANHATTAN COCKTAIL

3/4 ounce sweet vermouth

2 1/2 ounces bourbon whiskey

1 dash bitters

1 maraschino cherry

1 twist orange peel

Combine the vermouth, bourbon whiskey and bitters with two or three ice cubes in a mixing glass. Stir gently; don't bruise the spirits and cloud the drink. Place the cherry in a chilled cocktail glass and strain the whiskey mixture over it. Rub the cut edge of the orange peel over the rim of the glass and twist it over the drink to release the oils, but don't drop it in.

Variation: No bitters. Substitute a twist of lime for the cherry and orange. Hold the lime twist in the flame of a lighted match over the drink and then drop the twist in. The heat intensifies the lime flavor.

— From drinksmixer.com