Inspired by a traditional Manhattan cocktail, with a not-so-subtle nod to the upcoming Olympic Games, the bar teams at Asheville Proper and Little D’s, two sister restaurants in Asheville, have crafted a new warm-weather libation: the Paris Manhattan.
Each of the bars normally offers some form of old-fashioned or Manhattan on its menu, but they wanted a seasonal option. “Our Walnut Manhattan was very winter-forward, and so we began to look into something more floral and ‘springy,’” says general manager Michael Pearce.
Thus St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur replaces the cocktail’s traditional sweet vermouth.“The Paris Manhattan has a lighter feel all around for a Manhattan, as the St-Germain adds floral notes of honeysuckle and pear,” Pearce explains. “Those notes take away some of the bitterness of a traditional Manhattan, which uses rye and sweet vermouth, and add a touch of sweetness.”
At Asheville Proper, known for its wood-fired dishes, Pearce finds the bone marrow and the house-made gnocchi to be a suitable accompaniment to the cocktail. “Currently, both of those sets have fruit and floral components that pair well with the softer notes of the Paris Manhattan,” he says.
“As someone who considers straight bourbon to be my year-round sipper,” he adds, “the cocktail is a nice change of pace in the spring and summer because it adds a lighter, fresher touch to an evening on the porch or around a nice meal.” Get the recipe below to test it at home.
