Fourth Regiment — An 1890s Manhattan variant that takes three different bitters

Fourth Regiment

An 1890s Manhattan variant that takes three different bitters

Number of people

Ingredients

  • 1 ozRye Whiskey
    Equal to the vermouth, not more
  • 1 ozSweet Vermouth
    A rich red vermouth; it carries the whole sweet side
  • 1 dashThe Bitter Truth Orange Bitters
    The bright one of the three
    Substitute: Any orange bitters
  • 1 dashThe Bitter Truth Creole Bitters
    Anise and clove; the New Orleans note
    Substitute: Peychaud's, for a lighter version
  • 1 dashThe Bitter Truth Celery Bitters
    The savoury one, and the reason this is not a Manhattan
    Substitute: Any celery bitters

Instructions

  1. Add 1 oz rye, 1 oz sweet vermouth and 1 dash each of orange, Creole and celery bitters to a mixing glass

    One dash of each; the drink works because none of the three wins

  2. Fill with ice and stir well
  3. Strain into a chilled coupe
  4. Express a lemon zest over the surface

Technique Notes

One dash of each, and do not round up. Three bitters at a dash apiece is already more bittering than a Manhattan carries; the drink works because no single one of them wins, and doubling any of them collapses that.

Why the Fourth Regiment Works

Orange is citrus, Creole is anise and clove, celery is green and savoury. None of the three overlaps with the others, which is why one dash of each reads as complexity rather than as a muddle, and why the drink is remembered at all.