Metropolis

Cocktails

Jan 1

Written By Ben McElroy

Why Make It?

Metropolis is a decadent boozy cocktail with deep fruit flavors from the use of tawny port and high proof bourbon. The maraschino cherry addition is literally the cherry on top.
The addition of amaro brings a balanced bitterness to the cocktail and makes this a simple three ingredient drink. Fit for a special occasion or a weekday.

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Author Thoughts

This recipe is based on the classic manhattan. A manhattan is typically rye whiskey or bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters. Metropolis gets to a similar place by swapping the vermouth for tawny port and the bitters for amaro.

Just like the Manhattan, there is a lot of room to substitute different whiskeys, ports, and amari. See the substitution section for more thoughts.

Final thought, if you are thinking about omitting the maraschino cherry, please reconsider. It's a garnish that really adds to the drink by building upon the dark fruit and cherry flavors in the port and bourbon.

Keys To Success

There are two objectives when stirring a cocktail. To chill and to dilute. This cocktail with its higher alcohol content and sweetness is better served as chilled as possible. Use plenty of ice in the mixing glass and stir until completely chilled, about 30 seconds. I would consider chilling your glassware also.

Equipment

jigger - bar spoon - strainer - mixing glass - cocktail pick

Metropolis

Makes: 1 Drink | ABV: 33% | Total Time: 4 min | Glassware: Coupe

Ingredients

2 oz high proof Bourbon [Wild Turkey 101]
0.5 oz Tawny Port
[10 year old]
0.5 oz Amaro Montenegro

Garnish

maraschino cherries

Instructions

Measure: Combine the whiskey, port, and amaro into a mixing glass with ice.
Stir: Stir until chilled, about 30 seconds.
Serve: Strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with maraschino cherries.

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Comments

Substitutions

Bourbon: The beauty of this drink comes from the pairing of the bourbon and tawny port. The age of the bourbon and port matter here since both develop more intense fruit and caramel flavors as they age. Try to use higher proof whiskeys with ages above 8 years and tawny ports that are 10 years old or more.

Amaro: Try substituting any amaro that you think works with cherry, dried fruit, nuts, and caramel. Bruto Americano would work.