The Cheater's Perfect Manhattan

Well, I know you're going to tell me that there's nothing southern or pond-y about Manhattan (place or drink), but there certainly is room for it in the parlor. My drink for the dark and dreary days of rainy season has been our very southern take on the old classic.

The Cheater's Perfect Manhattan

In a cocktail shaker combine:

2.5oz Bourbon (we prefer wheated bourbon such as Maker's or Weller)
2.5oz Sweet Vermouth (try to get your hands on Carpano Antica Formula if you can)
2 dashes Peychaud's Bitters

Shake vigorously over ice, strain into glass WITHOUT ice.

Plop in a Luxardo cherry, and sip to your heart's content. Now, please don't skimp on the cherries. I know, you think Maraschino cherries are gross, and by definition of the modern variety, they are. But listen when I tell you that Luxardo cherries are a revelation. They are not cheap, for sure, but they are the real deal. Do yourself a favor and grab some up.