For over 80 years, Esquire Magazine has been on the cutting edge of men’s culture while showcasing man at his best, and has recently changed how people can drink the iconic cocktail, the Manhattan. Partnering with Jefferson Bourbon, Esquire Magazine launched the new pre-batched drink, The Manhattan: Barrel Finished Cocktail at Porchlight in Chelsea.
“Esquire covers the wide-range interest of men and one of our primary passion points is drinking and the culture of drinking,” said David Granger, editor-in-chief of Esquire. “It’s been a joy working with Trey on finally putting our considerable drinking experience to some productive use.”
The iconic drink has always been a favorite for gentlemen, but is not readily available at home unless you have bourbon and vermouth in the bar. With the new collaboration, it brings the best Manhattan into one bottle and is easy to serve. As people sip the new cocktail, their taste buds will notice the oaky notes and well-balanced flavor.
Creating The Manhattan was years in the making — editors from Esquire and Trey Zoeller of Jefferson’s tried numerous recipes until it was narrowed down to the best tasting Manhattan. The final product is mixed with 6 year old bourbon, 125 proof cut down to 82.3, both sweet and dry vermouth, and barreled-aged, spiced cherry bitters. For many people it will become their new cocktail of choice, and a pleasant drink after a long day of work either on the rocks or stirred with ice.
“What I enjoyed most about making this Manhattan with Esquire was the collaborative process of creating a well-rounded cocktail that elevated the typical bourbon drinking experience,” Zoeller said. “It took us over two years of experimentation and communication to hone in on a drink we’ve always wanted at our home bar but was never easily available, and we were finally able to create something that is both innovative and accessible.”
There are constant innovations with spirits, but improving a classic is always welcomed. As Esquire and Jefferson’s improved the iconic Manhattan, it brings an old favorite to a new generation. The Manhattan: Barrel Finished Cocktail is available at liquor stores nationwide.
TwistedTalk: What do you think of the new cocktail? How do you like to drink your Manhattan? Discuss below!
