On tonight's show Oisin Davis of the Damson Diner recreates the Manhattan from 1968's 'The Producers'. Oisin brings a twist however...this is the Irish version, the Emerald...
Oisin says, "Cocktails only really started getting popular in Ireland after 'Sex and the City'. Since then, the Cosmopolitan has been the drink of choice for many of the fairer sex. It's also led both lads and lasses to dip into rum territory and enjoy the occasional Mojito. But the story of the Irish mixing drinks started getting really interesting in the late 19th century. Back then, one particular cocktail that was doing the rounds in New York bars was the Manhattan. Comprised of Rye Whiskey, Sweet Vermouth and bitters, one story suggests that it was created in the Manhattan Lounge by Dr. Ian Marshall to commemorate the visit of presidential candidate, Samuel Tilden. Like many a stories about gargle though, that could well just be a tale to tell at the bar counter. Irregardless, it became a very popular drink. Scottish Bartenders got a wee bit annoyed serving it with a whiskey that wasn't their own, so they came up with a version called 'Rob Roy'. And not to be outdone by our ancestral cousins, Irish bartenders in the late 19th century who were working in The Waldorf Astoria came up with their own take on it. They named it after their own homeland and called it, 'The Emerald'"
