Here’s a very American cocktail for your Thanksgiving holiday weekend: the Marconi Wireless.
It’s pretty much a Manhattan but with applejack instead of bourbon. The applejack is what makes it American, and seasonal to boot. Find the recipe here, in a post by Paul Clarke all the way back in 2007. Fortunately, good drinks never go out of style.
This is a delicious cocktail. The applejack is a little sweeter than bourbon usually is, and the orange bitters complement it wonderfully. As I do when making a Manhattan, I use only a little sweet vermouth rather than the ounce the recipe suggests — I use maybe 1/8th of an ounce. And I double the orange bitters. A twist of orange or lemon peel would be a lovely garnish, but since I have neither, an apple seemed appropriate.
I think one or two of these will provide a pleasant diversion while I’m cooking our family turkey tomorrow. Probably not more than two though, or I might forget the turkey altogether.