The Manhattan - Birth of an American Classic
The cocktail of the Gilded Age.
He walked with the subtle assurance of a man who had seen dark alleys and wasn’t afraid of what was there. The rough weave of his best suit chaffed at his neck. Stepping boldly into the bustling traffic of the muddy street, he halted a careening carriage with a decisive wave of his hand, his eyes steady and unflinching.
He glanced back, noticing his companion keeping pace with his long strides. As they walked, he resumed their discussion on the European economy, his companion’s words tinged with a heavy accent.
He couldn't help but admire how the Frenchman's attire blended European elegance with New York's high society. His military overcoat, meticulously tailored, paired comfort with practicality, accentuating his athletic build. His trousers, subtly striped with satin, complemented the ensemble. A beaver fur top hat crowned his sophisticated look.
Approaching the grand brownstone building of the Manhattan Club, he marveled at its opulence and imposing façade, adorned with intricate carvings and polished brass—a testament to the influence it held in the new era. A mix of anticipation and awe filled him.
He felt the warm glow of the gas lamps lining the street, their light guiding him and the other invited guests forward, a comforting presence in the evening's chill. They arrived at the gala event, falling into line behind a procession of eagerly waiting guests.
He felt waves of heat as jets of flame erupted from the building's side, each burst casting light into the night and announcing the monograms of elite visitors, a true spectacle of prestige.
He noticed the envious gazes of gathered onlookers as Manhattan's elite made their celebrated entrance. They are quickly ushered up the steps to the door. The doorman in his green livery, recognizes the young man, and greets him with a warm nod.
‘Always good to see you,’ the doorman said, his smile broadening. ‘And your guest?’ He gestured them inside with a welcoming sweep of his arm. The young man returned the smile, a glint of weary triumph in his eyes. ‘Only just survived, Patrick. Only just.’
As the heavy oak doors swing open, he inhales deeply, the rich blend of cigar smoke, fine leather, and aged whiskey enveloping him as he entered the marble-floored foyer.
The young man smoothly lifted his top hat, the light catching its silk sheen before he passed it to the attendant, who nestled it among its velvet-backed brethren.
The Frenchman, with a flourish, removed his hat and overcoat, passing them to the attendant. Clad in a dark tailcoat, his deep burgundy velvet waistcoat hugged his form, the expertly tied silk cravat patterned subtly, speaking volumes of his meticulous attention to detail.
The butler, appearing in his crisply pressed uniform, waited as the young man drew a cream-colored engraved invitation from his pocket and presented it on behalf of his guest.
"Count, welcome to the United States," the butler greeted warmly, dipping his head. "I hear your meeting with General McClellan in Europe went well. Any friend of the general's is a friend of this club." "If you would do me the honor of following, sir," he continued, his tone respectfully solicitous. "Governor Tilden has expressed keen interest in making your acquaintance this evening."
Leading the way, they made their way from the foyer into the club's inner sanctum. The sound of hushed conversations and clinking glasses fills the air. The walls are paneled in dark mahogany, adorned with oil paintings of prominent Democrats. Crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the room.
To his left, a roaring fireplace beckons. Leather armchairs surround it, occupied by gentlemen engrossed in discussions about business, politics, and society. They are discussing the crash last year, businesses are gone, jobs wiped out, some people were getting desperate. No one in this room had that problem.
As they wind their way through the crowd the young man remains focused on getting to the stairs. With nods and subtle glances, he acknowledged the curious onlookers, diverting attention from his companion, who had begun to draw the crowd's gaze.
He sees the Count's face light up with recognition at a familiar figure in the crowd - a Sorbonne professor here to lecture on refrigeration technology - he followed his compatriot's gaze to this rare slice of Paris in New York.
Some small talk ensued, the Count's expression wistful as he conversed easily in his native French, reminiscing about idyllic afternoons whiled away in the Sorbonne's hallowed halls and courtyard cafes during his own school days.
Eventually, the young man managed to pull his lingering companion away from this Parisian reunion, steering them both toward the grand staircase. Ascending the stairs, gas lamps and chandeliers illuminated the opulent dining room, its linen-clad tables lavishly set with gleaming silverware.
His mouth watered as he glanced over the menu, his eyes widening at the promise of twelve courses including oysters, roast beef, and vintage wines. A lavish feast that was a far cry from his usual fare. The murmur of conversations blends with the soft strains of a string quartet.
Led by the butler, they entered the library, where mahogany bookcases cradled leather-bound volumes of Shakespeare, Dickens, and ancient classics. It is a sanctuary for reading, writing letters, and staying abreast of the news. The ticking of a grandfather clock punctuates the silence.
Tilden entered, exuding the casual ease of a seasoned politician. He immediately engaged the Count in a lively exchange about French wine's unparalleled excellence.
His pulse quickened as Tilden entered, the man's shoulders set in a stance of casual yet commanding ease, his piercing gaze and self-assured smile instantly commanding the room's rapt attention. A presence so magnetic and potent, it viscerally reminded the young man why he had eagerly thrown his lot in with Tilden's crusading cause. Tilden was a man of unwavering principles, a rare commodity in an age where corruption and graft had become commonplace.
With a respectful nod, the Count presented a telegram from General McClellan, now in Egypt, offering his congratulations to Governor Tilden on his election victory.
As Tilden read the message, a smile broke across his face, the weight of the campaign lifting in that moment. "Well, today is a new day. Come, both of you, and share a drink with me."
As they approached the window, A contented sigh escaped him as the crisp night air invigorated his senses. Sipping the fine whiskey cocktail, he surveyed the city laid out below them, a tapestry of gas-lit streets, horse-drawn carriages, and distant harbor lights.
Rich and complex, the history of the Manhattan cocktail mirrors its namesake city. In the time after the Civil War, America grew fast. It was a time of big buildings and big dreams, but not everyone won in this new world. Later termed the Gilded Age, the era's moniker aptly reflected its superficial glitter amidst glaring economic disparities. New York City was at the heart of it all, a place of sharp contrasts.
The Gilded Age was marked by significant developments in industry, technology, and society. As the United States rapidly industrialized, it experienced unprecedented growth in wealth and infrastructure.
In 1873, an economic tempest began in Austria, sweeping across the world and marking the first global banking crisis. The United States, riding the boom of railroad expansion, was struck hard. Railroads, once symbols of economic progress, crumbled into bankruptcy, reflecting the severity of the financial crisis.
Central to the origin story of the Manhattan cocktail stands the Manhattan Club, established in 1868 as a bustling political hub for the Democratic Party. This club was founded as a counterpoint to the Republican-leaning Union Club, reflecting the deep political divisions of the time. The Manhattan Club became a gathering place for influential figures, including Samuel Tilden, a prominent politician known for his anti-corruption stance.
Samuel Tilden's gubernatorial victory in 1874 was a landmark event for the Democrats, the tide was turning in the Reconstruction Era after the US Civil War. Tilden, who had previously served as New York's attorney general, campaigned vigorously against the corruption epitomized by Tammany Hall and its notorious leader, Boss Tweed. His efforts to combat corruption and his reputation as a reformer helped propel him to the governorship. Later he would run for president.
The Manhattan cocktail was served at a grand dinner at the Manhattan Club on December 29th, organized to celebrate Samuel Tilden's electoral win in 1874. More than a mere political event, this gathering was a social landmark, etching its mark in the club's storied history.
The introduction of vermouth to a whiskey-based cocktail, a concoction similar to the Old Fashioned, marked a novel twist that captivated the palates of New Yorkers. While there are tales of similar drinks being served in Manhattan as early as the 1860s, the 1874 celebration dinner for Tilden certainly helped make it the most famous cocktail of the Gilded Age.
The original Manhattan in the late 19th century was made with rye, as it was the prevalent grain for whiskey production in the northeastern United States at that time. Rye imparts a spicier, more assertive flavor to the drink.
However, bourbon, which is sweeter and has a fuller body due to its higher corn content, also became a popular choice over time, especially as bourbon's popularity increased.
A classic Manhattan is typically a sweet Manhattan, sweet or dry referring to the vermouth and to the taste of the drinker:
2 ounces of rye whiskey
1 ounce of sweet Italian vermouth
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
Ice cubes
Maraschino cherry (for garnish)
Orange twist (for garnish)
Here’s how to make it:
Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes.
Pour the whiskey, vermouth, and bitters over ice.
Stir well, until the outside of the glass feels cold.
Strain the mix into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish with a maraschino cherry and/or an orange twist if desired.
Your descriptions are so good it's like watching a movie. I enjoy them very much. Genie K