This is just a fantastic name for a cocktail and it makes me happy every time I make one. It doesnโt hurt that the drink is also pretty delicious. According to the folks over atย Rye Patriotism, itโs named for President McKinley, who was elected during a time when most politicians had signature drinks, and would often ply voters with them. It seems the cocktail was originally gin-based, and more of a sour. How it evolved into a whiskey drink, no one seems quite sure, but Iโm glad it did.
One further interesting note: the blog mentioned above is very insistent that this is better as a rye cocktail, and many sources on the web list it as using rye. Yet CocktailDB โ which I trust very much since itโs run by noted cocktail historian Ted Haigh โย lists it as using bourbon, and also substantially more pastis than other recipes. I went with CocktailDBโs recipe, but there is absolutely no harm in using rye instead, and taking the pastis down to a few dashes.
In either case, this cocktail is a nice twist on a basic Manhattan, combining fruit flavors with the herbal notes of pastis to bring a lot of complexity to the drink. The cherry liqueur really adds some brightness that a normal Manhattan lacks. I am currently really enjoying Rothman & Winterโs cherry offering, but you canโt go wrong withย Cherry Heeringย either.
This article is a modified and enhanced version of a post that ran on my nightly cocktail blog,ย DrinkShouts.
The McKinleyโs Delight Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Bar spoon
- Cocktail Strainer
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Bourbon Russellโs Reserve
- .75 oz. Sweet vermouth Noilly Pratย
- .25 oz. Cherry liqueur Rothman & Winter
- .25 oz. Pastis Pernod
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients over ice in a pint glass and stir thoroughly. Strain into a chilled cocktail coupe. No garnish.