My liver operates on the level of a lone Green Beret behind enemy lines, a lone commando vanquishing waves of torment at any and every possible hour. Recently, I decided to give the old boy a little rest and recuperation by experimenting with non-alcoholic cocktails. I love to host people, and some of my friends avoid alcohol all together, so it was doubly motivating to work on a taste experience for a more sober palette. Naturally, I had to start with old reliable: The Manhattan.
Ingredients:
Normally, a Manhattan consists of 2 parts rye whiskey, 1 part sweet vermouth, 2 dashes of Angostura bitters, and an orange peel as a garnish. The 2:1:2 ingredient count is where the Manhattan derives its namesake, 212 being the Manhattan area code.
Now, obviously this recipe has a bit more alcohol than a sober man would appreciate, so I had to find some substitutes which would compromise the bittersweet flavor profile as little as possible. One advantage I had going into this was that Manhattans are meant to be served cold, which naturally softens and blends the harsher taste notes generated by alcohol.
First: Substituting Rye with Lyre's American Malt (2 Parts)
Available on Amazon for $38.99 (About the price of a lower-mid rye), Lyre's American Malt is a 0 proof whiskey substitute. Using various flavoring agents, Lyre's by itself has some smoky, caramel, and vanilla notes. The aftertaste holds an almost cinnamon-like spiciness to it. Unlike other 0 proof whiskeys I have had, this "burn" in an attempt to imitate alcohol is very minimal. The bottle and label also make for a nice, old-fashioned western style presentation.
Second: Substituting Vermouth with Versin Rojo (1 Part)
Also available on Amazon for $19.99, This wine substitute imitates sweet vermouth to a T. Rich, fruity, sweet notes through and through. The vermouth's ultra sweet profile adds a playful friendliness to the richer, smoky, confectionary flavors of the Lyre's Malt.
Third: Angostura Bitters (2 Dashes)
There is no substitute for Angostura bitters. Bitters are highly concentrated flavor agents (seasoning for drinks essentially) and their alcoholic base is a vital part of their concentration mixture. Luckily, we are only using 2 dashes, equating to only a few drops in the entire drink. Your salad dressing has more alcohol in it, don't fret. The bitters will provide the smoky, bittersweet taste that is going to blend our whiskey and our wine.
Fourth: Orange Peel (1 slice)
The slice of orange peel is our ever-important garnish. It adds an unmistakable citrus aroma and aftertaste to each sip of this sublime drink. Any orange will do, I tend to favor the naval oranges in my fruit basket. If I'm out, however, I will opt for a dash of orange bitters which works just fine.
Preparing Your Manhattan:
1- Pour your 2 parts Lyre's, your 1 part Versin, and two dashes of Angostura bitters into a shaker with ice.
2- Shake thoroughly until frost starts to appear on the outside of the shaker
3- Pour into a glass (stemmed is ideal, as it will keep the cocktail cold longer)
4- Twist your slice of orange peel until you see the peel's oils start to sweat (this is what gives the drink the citrus aftertaste) and place it into the finished drink.
5- Enjoy!
The Sober Man's Manhattan truly caught me by surprise. Especially while cold, they taste nearly identical. The inviting mix of sweet, smoky, and a touch of sour makes for a delectable drink through and through. I recommend savoring it while it's cold, though. As after the drink reaches room temperature, the vanilla and caramel elements of the Lyre's seem to separate noticeably from the Versin, which tastes like you are drinking two distinct things at once and makes for a very confusing and less-than-ideal taste.