The Midnight Manhattan was the winner of the Woodford Reserve’s “Master of the Manhattan” contest back in 2013. Invented by Detroit bartender Travis Fourmont, the recipe drops the traditional sweet vermouth and replaces it with a mixture of cherry brandy, blood orange liqueur, and Averna (an amaro with notes of anise, citrus, and savory herbs).
We can totally see why the Midnight Manhattan won the competition; it’s rich and flavorful, but brighter and more concentrated than the original. At Roast, Fourmont’s restaurant, it’s served with a flamed orange peel – a finishing touch we never skip when we make this recipe.
