Emerald
Irish whiskey, sweet vermouth and orange bitters, stirred. The Irish Manhattan from the Savoy's pages — simpler than the Tipperary and the drink for St Patrick's Day that is not green.
Built to the standard modern spec; not yet tested in our kitchen. How we test.
The recipe.
Scaling adjusts quantities only. Prepare shaken drinks in individual portions.
Let’s make a good drink.
Chill a coupe.
Add the whiskey, sweet vermouth and orange bitters to a mixing glass.
Fill with ice and stir for 25 to 30 seconds.
Strain into the chilled coupe, express an orange peel over the top and drop it in.
A thoughtful finish
- A pot-still Irish whiskey — fuller and spicier than a blend — makes a far better Emerald.
- Orange bitters, not Angostura; the orange is what separates it from a Manhattan.
- Two to one is the standard; the Savoy's equal parts is sweeter.
Common mistakes
- Angostura by habit.
- Shaking.
- A thin blended Irish whiskey that disappears into the vermouth.
A few good questions.
What is the difference between an Emerald and a Manhattan?
Irish whiskey for rye and orange bitters for Angostura. It is softer and more orange.
How is it different from a Tipperary?
The Tipperary adds green Chartreuse to the same base. The Emerald is the simpler drink.
Is it green?
No. The name is for Ireland, not the colour.
Which Irish whiskey?
A pot-still — Redbreast, Green Spot, Powers John's Lane — if you can; a good blend otherwise.
Variations
- Manhattan — Rye and sweet vermouth.
- Tipperary — Irish whiskey, sweet vermouth and Chartreuse.
- Brainstorm — Irish whiskey, dry vermouth and Bénédictine.
- Rob Roy — Scotch and sweet vermouth.
Where it comes from
c. 1930 · London · Savoy Hotel
The Emerald is in the Savoy Cocktail Book of 1930 as Irish whiskey, Italian vermouth and a dash of orange bitters, stirred — the Manhattan’s formula on Irish whiskey, with orange bitters in place of Angostura, and named for the Emerald Isle. It was one of a handful of Irish whiskey drinks the 1930s bar books carried, and it survived mainly as a St Patrick’s Day order. It is a gentler Manhattan: Irish whiskey’s softness against sweet vermouth, with the orange bitters keeping it from being sweet.
Sources
- Harry Craddock, The Savoy Cocktail Book, 1930 (book)
- David Wondrich, Imbibe!, 2015 (book)
- Difford's Guide, Emerald, 2015 (reference)
Strength. About 1.64 US standard drinks at an estimated 26.9% ABV, estimated from the ingredients and technique, not measured. What that means.
A little character in every sip.
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