For cocktail lovers everywhere, the Manhattan is perhaps the bees knees. What better way to gain insight into the journey of this classic cocktail than to go to a place known for making drinks the old fashioned way? Welcome to The Franklin Mortgage and Investment Co, located at 112 S. 18th St. in Rittenhouse Square.

Though shaky in its origin, it's believed that The Manhattan began its ascent to alcoholic stardom somewhere around the 1870's and 1880's.

“It was actually more of a Vermouth drink than a Whiskey drink,” said Colin, Bar Manager of The Franklin. Traditionally, The Manhattan contains 2 ounces of Vermouth, 1 ounce rye whiskey, 2 ounces of angostura bitters. The Manhattan became more of a whiskey oriented drink towards the turn of the century. Rye was America's favorite kind of Whiskey until it tapered off in the prohibition era.

“It's a fine drink either way. These days most people make it with bourbon, we make it with Rye,” said Colin, who noted that Rye Whiskey is often spicier and leaner.

One of the Manhattan's key ingredients, Vermouth, fell off the American drinker's radar around the prohibition. “It was definitely one of the more complex and elegant categories of spirits to choose from. It's essential to many of the classic cocktails, and essential to many of the things we do here at The Franklin, beyond the classics and the drinks we make here,” said Colin.

Anyone going to The Franklin should know they prefer to make The Manhattan the classic way. Though there isn't just one way to make this classic cocktail.

“You can mess with the ratio pretty greatly, and it's all delicious,” said Colin, who addressed the variations of the Manhattan, including the inverted Manhattan, which would have 2 ounces of vermouth and one ounce of whiskey. It all depends on the mood of the drinker.

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