This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Cheers, friends!
As this post goes live today, I’ll be clinking glasses with Barclay high up in the sky on our 13-hour flight halfway around the world to NEW ZEALAND!! :) :) :)
Oh my goodness, after months of planning, I can hardly believe that this trip is finally here! But I am so ready for it — so ready to finally see and feel and taste and explore this beautiful country, so ready to soak up lots and lots of time with my handsome traveling partner and his Kiwi family, and so ready to take some time off work and get busy vacationing. Ahem, make that vacationing in the warm summer New Zealand sunshine, no less. I’ve never loved backwards seasons more than now.
Anyway, stay tuned because I cooked up a bunch of great recipes that will be popping up on the blog while I’m gone. And my incredible assistant Hayley will be tuning in here (as always) with answers to comments and any recipe questions that you might have. But other than that, I’m going to try very hard to stay mostly offline and soak up time with some of my favorite people in one of my favorite countries that I’ve always wanted to visit. I’m certain I’ll be back with oodles of stories and photos to share. :)
So cheers to a great month for all of us ahead! And what better than to raise a glass of one of my all-time favorite cocktails, that I’ve recently kicked up a notch with two new favorite things. Can you spot em?
you should try s better vermouth. There is an Italian vermouth that will really bring this manhattan up a bit. If you are splurging on the cherries you should not skimp in the vermouth!!
I love that you have cocktail recipes on GimmeSomeOven! I made the cranberry margaritas for a holiday party and they were a huge hit! If you are ever searching for coup glasses, they have some reasonably priced ones at CocktailKingdom.com – they don’t have 5oz but they have 3.75oz, 6oz, and 7.5oz. They are all around $35 for a pack of six (shipping not included) but you can get fancy ones with gold or silver rims for a few dollars more. Thanks for the great recipes!
Lovely looking cocktail -cheers! Have the bestest time on your travels Ali and Barclay! I have family in Australia and have been fortunate enough to travel there a few times. Haven’t been to New Zealand longer than airport stops… all I know is that there are a whole heck of a lot of sheep looking down from the air plane :) Enjoy the quality time and eachother. We will soak up all your creations that you’ve organized in your absence and will look forward to the stories and picks when you get back! ? Bita
Thank you for this cocktail recipe. I happen to have all of the ingredients for once (I have been looking for something to do with my sweet vermouth for some time, I can tell you), I love bourbon, and have been looking for an excuse to use my cocktail shaker. Whee!
Have an AMAZING time in New Zealand. You surely shall. Check out Marlborough wine country and the 8Wire and/or Moa and/or Tuatara Brewers if you get a chance. I spent a year in NZ from ’05 to ’06 and I feel like I left a part of my heart there. You will love it – it is a stunning place with so many different things to offer. If you get the chance to experience a traditional Maori hangi feast, jump on it! :D
These look amazing. I love the cherries. Is 11 am on a Wednesday too early to enjoy a Manhattan? haha JK
Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven —
Haha! Well we think it depends on the morning you’ve had (and how early you got up) ;P And yeah, those Luxardo cherries are pretty impossible to beat (we just wish they were cheaper)! Totally worth it though. :)
I see the Martini and Rossi, which is what I use when I’m feeling pinched. But when you’re feeling flush, please do yourself a favor and try one of the more expensive red vermouths for your cocktails.
Use blended scotch for the variation called a Rob Roy. (I sometimes choose a lemon zest garnish for that.)
One of my favorite cocktails!! I love the classics, and this one or a good dirty martini are my go tos after a long week!
Thanks Heather, you have good taste! Happy Friday! :D
This is such a classic drink! Thanks for sharing!
Kari
you should try s better vermouth. There is an Italian vermouth that will really bring this manhattan up a bit. If you are splurging on the cherries you should not skimp in the vermouth!!
Adore Luxardo cherries! You’ve got some beautiful cocktail gear, there, too!
Ali, not sure if you will see this but WELCOME to New Zealand!! This is my little corner of the world…you will love it! :)
I love that you have cocktail recipes on GimmeSomeOven! I made the cranberry margaritas for a holiday party and they were a huge hit! If you are ever searching for coup glasses, they have some reasonably priced ones at CocktailKingdom.com – they don’t have 5oz but they have 3.75oz, 6oz, and 7.5oz. They are all around $35 for a pack of six (shipping not included) but you can get fancy ones with gold or silver rims for a few dollars more. Thanks for the great recipes!
Lovely looking cocktail -cheers! Have the bestest time on your travels Ali and Barclay! I have family in Australia and have been fortunate enough to travel there a few times. Haven’t been to New Zealand longer than airport stops… all I know is that there are a whole heck of a lot of sheep looking down from the air plane :) Enjoy the quality time and eachother. We will soak up all your creations that you’ve organized in your absence and will look forward to the stories and picks when you get back! ? Bita
Trying your recipe tonight!
Awesome Kara, we hope you enjoy!
Thank you for this cocktail recipe. I happen to have all of the ingredients for once (I have been looking for something to do with my sweet vermouth for some time, I can tell you), I love bourbon, and have been looking for an excuse to use my cocktail shaker. Whee!
Have an AMAZING time in New Zealand. You surely shall. Check out Marlborough wine country and the 8Wire and/or Moa and/or Tuatara Brewers if you get a chance. I spent a year in NZ from ’05 to ’06 and I feel like I left a part of my heart there. You will love it – it is a stunning place with so many different things to offer. If you get the chance to experience a traditional Maori hangi feast, jump on it! :D
These look amazing. I love the cherries. Is 11 am on a Wednesday too early to enjoy a Manhattan? haha JK
Haha! Well we think it depends on the morning you’ve had (and how early you got up) ;P And yeah, those Luxardo cherries are pretty impossible to beat (we just wish they were cheaper)! Totally worth it though. :)
One of my favourite cocktails ! A few drops of the cherry juice from the jar makes it even nicer!
Thanks Kathy, we’ll definitely try that next time! :)
Gorgeous photos.
I was looking for a new mix of drinks, this will do perfectly thanks :)
I see the Martini and Rossi, which is what I use when I’m feeling pinched. But when you’re feeling flush, please do yourself a favor and try one of the more expensive red vermouths for your cocktails.
Use blended scotch for the variation called a Rob Roy. (I sometimes choose a lemon zest garnish for that.)
Awesome, thank you for the recommendation, Jim!
Or, if you are from Wisconsin we make our’s with Brandy!