I am going to make a bold statement: We at Lush Life are not just Manhattan drinkers. We are Manhattan Purveyors — that's right — I capitalized the P. Our mornings often begin with rousing Morning Manhattans — a tradition at Lush Life headquarters — and our evenings are rarely whiskey free.  Needless to say, the Manhattan is typically the measure we use to judge a bartender's most basic ability. 

So, we were a little confused this week when Time Out New York put out their list of quintessential NYC neighborhood cocktails.  Sure the list hits so many high points from the Pegu Club classic 'Little Italy' and my neighborhood joint's aptly named 'The Brooklyn.'  But, while there were some amazing recipes, the classic Manhattan version seemed to be missing something.

Look at the recipe. What's not there?

2 oz rye whiskey
1 oz sweet vermouth
Cherry garnish

Pour liquid ingredients over ice and stir. Strain into cocktail glass, serve up (no ice) and garnish with a cherry.

Yup, you guessed it: bitters.

Even the most basic iterations of the Manhattan (including the Wikipedia entry), always include a dash or two of bitters.

Well, dear readers, I suppose the moral of the story is this: never, ever order a Manhattan any cocktail from Bemelman's Bar.

I know I won't.