#82: Apple Manhattan

1 oz Apple Brandy or liquer (not sour)
3 oz American Whiskey
Dash of Sweet Cider or Apple Juice (optional)
Dash of Sweet Vermouth (optional)
Combine all in a mixing glass filled with ice and shake
Strain into a chilled glass

Since a classic Manhattan is basically Whiskey, or more traditionally Rye, bitters, and vermouth, this drink was slightly different, but not too bizarre. You've got to get the apple flavors in there somehow. I used apple liquer, apple juice, and just a touch of dry vermouth, since I didn't have any sweet vermouth. Really, just the tiniest bit.

Now, I like a good Manhattan as much as the next guy, but I had never even contemplated mixing one up like this and making an Apple Manhattan before. I will definitely be having one again very soon.

the apple flavors went extremely well with the whiskey. The deep flavors of the whiskey combined with the sweetness and crispness of the apple, blending together for a pleasant marriage. One of the better flavor blendings thus far.

A good Manhattan is something I look forward to, and savor when it is made correctly. Now this is too. It was smooth yet crisp, and definitely elegant. A real winner and a keeper in the notebook for a night out. There are so many good drinks to choose from when I go out, I need to have notes to remind myself what I want to order, and what bars make the best drinks. We'll see how some locals make this one next time I am out. Or maybe I will just have to stay home and make my own, which is never a bad thing.

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No one seems to know the definitive story of the history of the name for the "Manhattan" as a drink. One of the urban legends about the name has an interesting but slightly nauseating twist. Seems that back in the 1860s or so, it was named for the city's sewage and water system, which ran brown at the time. Not saying this really makes any sense at all, but when you consider the look of a classic Manhattan (below), you can see how this story might have come about, even if it is probably not true. It makes you wonder how anybody survived the 19th century.

Public sanitation was not the highest order of the day. Can you imagine your tap water coming out this color? I didn't think so. I couldn't imagine it coming out any color at all, only clear. But I guess when things are that bad, you can only joke about it, and have a drink about it. Remember, the alcohol will kill the germs!

#80: Apple Martini

Dash of Dry Vermouth or Apple Liquer (optional)
4 oz Apple Vodka
Pour into a mixing glass filled with ice, stir, and strain into a chilled glass or pour with the ice into a short glass.
Garnish with an apple slice

I decided to make this martini with vermouth instead of the apple liquer, in keeping with a more traditional martini.

The Apple Vodka was delicious, and the apple flavors were nowhere near as overpowering as I thought they would be. The drink was light and crisp, withe a very pleasant overall smoothness. I know that criso and smooth aren't usually descriptions that go together, but that's what this was. Crisp yet smooth. Exactly what an apple martini should be, if you think about it. It was like Johnny Appleseed and Leon Trotsky had a love child, and he made this drink for me.

After a few sips, I took a bite of the apple slice garnish and then tried some more of the martini. Hard to imagine, but it was even better.

This was definitely a winner. I'm not usually a fan of "designer" martinis, but this was a very nice happy surprise.

BTW, I think I went a little overboard on the backdrop for the photograph today. It seemed cool, funky, and a little hip when I set it up, and even when I was editing the photo, but the more I look at it, the more I think that I should stage the photos before I start drinking. What do you think? Does it work, or does it make your molars hurt?

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In 2002, a British scientist set out to do a study of the broad appeal of humor across different cultures, demographics, and countries. Richard Wiseman named this experiment Laughlab, and he created a website where people could rate and submit jokes. In the end, he found what may be the world's funniest joke. At least across the broad spectrum of people who voted online. Here is that joke:

Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn't seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy whips out his phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps, "My friend is dead! What can I do?". The operator says "Calm down. I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead." There is a silence, then a shot is heard. Back on the phone, the guy says "OK, now what?"

Maybe you have to be British to find this the funniest joke in the world. It's certainly not the funniest joke I have ever heard. Notice that it is totally clean. My brother told me the world's filthiest joke once, which I can't even repeat here. Maybe it was just the most offensive joke, knowing my brother. That was funnier. Maybe my sick mind needs the shock of a filthy joke. I'm not saying that the joke determined by LaughLab isn't funny, and I think it was a bit if a noble experiment. I do think that it is the funniest joke across the broadest spectrum of sensibilities too. The only people it might offend either don't like any jokes, or have been shot in a hunting accident. So basically all of Dick Cheney's friends.