The 128-Proof ‘Philly Burn’ Rye Manhattan

Introduction

When you are working with a powerhouse spirit like the Dad’s Hat 128-Proof Pennsylvania Straight Rye, a standard cocktail recipe needs a slight adjustment. This ‘Philly Burn’ Manhattan honors the high alcohol content by balancing it with premium sweet vermouth and aromatic bitters. The naturally occurring cherry notes in the 6-year aged rye are the star of the show here.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Straight Rye Whiskey (128 Proof)
• 1 oz Carpano Antica Formula or other premium Sweet Vermouth
• 2 dashes Angostura Aromatic Bitters
• 1 dash Orange Bitters
• Luxardo Maraschino cherry for garnish
• Ice (large cubes for mixing)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Chill Your Glass: Place a coupe or martini glass in the freezer for 5-10 minutes before starting. A cold glass is essential for a cocktail served ‘up.’
2. Combine Ingredients: In a mixing glass, combine the 2 oz of Dad’s Hat Rye, 1 oz of sweet vermouth, and the bitters. Do not shake this drink; a Manhattan should be stirred to maintain a silky texture and clarity.
3. Stir: Fill the mixing glass 3/4 full with ice. Use a long bar spoon to stir the mixture gently but rapidly for about 30 seconds. Because the whiskey is 128 proof, you want a little more dilution than usual to mellow the ‘burn.’
4. Strain: Take your chilled glass from the freezer and strain the mixture into it using a Hawthorne or Julep strainer.
5. Garnish: Drop a high-quality maraschino cherry into the bottom of the glass. The cherry notes in the rye will harmonize perfectly with the garnish.

Pro Tips for High-Proof Cocktails

Since this whiskey is barrel proof, it contains more alcohol and less water than standard whiskeys. This means it can handle a longer stir time without becoming watery. If you find the drink too intense, try serving it ‘on the rocks’ in a rocks glass with one large clear ice cube. As the cube slowly melts, the flavors of the rye will evolve and soften.

Nutritional Notes

A standard 3 oz Manhattan contains approximately 185-210 calories depending on the sugar content of the vermouth. High-proof spirits like this rye have a higher caloric density due to the alcohol content (roughly 90-100 calories per 1.5 oz pour). This drink is gluten-free as the distillation process removes gluten proteins from the rye grain.