London Cocktail

2 Dashes Orange Bitters, 2 Dashes Syrup, 2 Dashes Maraschino, 2/3 Dry Gin. Stir well in ice and strain. Twist of Lemon Peel. Powerful and highly aromatic, lots of sweetness in the nose. Nice clean look.

Jupiter Cocktail

1 Teaspoonful Orange Juice, 1 Teaspoonful Parfait Amour Liqueur, 1/3 French Vermouth, 2/3 Dry Gin. Stir well in ice and strain. Twist of Lemon Peel. A bit two-dimensional, with first sip overpowered by gin and lower levels dominated by raw sweetness of Parfait Amour, like a predictable twist ending. Could be improved by slightly more orange juice to add depth.

Manhasset

1 1/2 oz. whiskey, 1/4 oz. sweet vermouth, 1/4 oz. dry vermouth, 1 oz. lemon juice. Shake and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a lemon twist. (The Bartender's Black Book by Stephen Kittredge Cunningham)

Celeste liked it, I didn't. It tasted like lemon juice spiked with whiskey.

Manhattan (Dry)

2/3 Whiskey, 1/3 Italian Vermouth, 2 dashes Angostura bitters. Stir well with cracked ice, strain and serve with an Olive and a twist of lemon peel on top. (Official Mixer's Manual p. 119)

Celeste made this with rye; I prefer it to bourbon for its lighter flavor.

We drank them and I thought about Gerry Rafferty who had just died. I was sad because I'd only recently acquainted myself with his album City to City and it had been steadily growing on me. The track Baker Street was a fixture of my childhood, ever-present as it was on local radio. So long Gerry; the world is diminished.