According to A.S. Crockett in The Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book, the Rosemary was created at the Waldorf to celebrate the Broadway production Charles Frohman's play by the same name when the cast helped open the Astoria addition in 1897. It is a very simple cocktail and one you may already prefer, referring to it as a Dry Bourbon Manhattan, although in this case "dry" means that it contains dry vermouth. Now that you know the classic name for this cocktail you can experiment with bourbons. Two of my preferences have to undoubtedly be Woodford Reserve and Knob Creek.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey
- 1 1/2 oz dry vermouth
Preparation:
- Pour the ingredients into a mixing glass with ice cubes.
- Stir well.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
