The Low Countries Manhattan
Curiada Ingredients
Other Ingredients
- 1.00 spoon Giffard Sugar Cane Syrup (Sirop Sucre de Canne)
Directions
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Add ice to mixing glass
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Pour all ingredients into mixing glass
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Stir well with bar spoon
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Fine strain into chilled coupe glass
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Express lemon zest twist over drink and drop into glass
Cocktail Description
This is what happens when a Manhattan takes a detour through Amsterdam and the Swiss Alps, picking up a few intriguing friends along the way.
The Low Countries Manhattan swaps bourbon for Bols Genever, that malty, botanical ancestor of modern gin, giving the drink a grainy backbone that's both rich and slightly funky. Instead of sweet vermouth, you get Etter Kirsch eau de vie, a clear cherry brandy that brings tart stone fruit notes and a delicate floral quality, balanced by sugar cane syrup for just enough sweetness. Peychaud's bitters add their signature anise-tinged complexity, while a lemon zest twist brightens the whole affair. The result tastes like a sophisticated riff on the classic: spirit-forward and aromatic, with layers of malt, cherry, and spice dancing across your palate. This is an excellent pre-dinner sipper when you want something that feels refined but slightly adventurous, perfect for a cool evening when you're settling in for a good meal. Making it is no harder than stirring a traditional Manhattan—just measure, stir with ice, and strain into a chilled coupe. Pair it with rich charcuterie, aged cheeses, or duck pâté; the genever's maltiness and the kirsch's fruit notes complement fatty, savory foods beautifully.
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