Holiday Spiced Manhattan

With Fall now upon us, it's time to move our cocktails into to the wonderfully spicy tastes and autumnal colors of the season. Here's a tasty twist on the classic Manhattan that you can enjoy all the way through to the New Year.

Ingredients

• 2 cups sweet vermouth
• 1 tsp allspice
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 dash cayenne pepper
• 1 dash sea salt
• 2.5 oz Hennessy cognac
• 3/4 oz vermouth (infused)
• 1 dash angostura bitters
• 1 twist orange
• nutmeg (Sprinkle of fresh)      

        

Directions:

To Infuse the Vermouth: Heat vermouth to just before boiling. Add all dry ingredients. Turn off heat, cover with lid and let steep for several hours. Pour through sifter into empty container.

 

For each Manhattan Cocktail: Pour Hennessy, vermouth and bitters in shaker. Add ice and shake. Pour into martini glass. Add twist of orange and sprinkle or zest nutmeg over the top.

 

 

Recipe and photos from http://www.aspicyperspective.com/