Gordy’s Manhattan:

I have many fond memories of my father having his friends over in our basement bar in the evenings after work or on weekends. One of his specialties was his version of a Manhattan. I would sit in the background and listen to the stories that the older men would tell when I was young. The stories usually got more interesting after one of Gordy’s Manhattans. He would serve the drink in a water glass, and he would fill it. If all he could find was a big water glass, sometimes the neighbors would have difficulty finding their way home. He would always use Napolean brandy for his Manhattans.

· Find a water glass.

· Fill it with ice cubes.

· Fill ½ of the remaining volume with Napoleon brandy.

· Add a splash of Southern Comfort, or a lower cost clone.

· Fill the remainder of the glass with sweet vermouth.

· Add a dash of Angostura bitters.

· Splash in a little cherry juice.

· Garnish with a cherry.

· Make sure whoever drinks it doesn’t have their car keys.