I am always looking for a reason to add to our glassware collection. One can never have too many types of glasses. At least that’s my theory – Ed might disagree. A few years ago I added some coupe glasses from Simon Pearce. They are beautiful but as far as a cocktail glass goes they are quite large (10 ounces). That makes for a pretty big Cosmo. I was looking for something a bit smaller and found these Nick and Nora glasses at Crate & Barrel. Think of them as a cross between a coupe and martini glass. An added benefit is you’re less likely to spill your drink with this style of glass.
I was intrigued by the name of the glass. Who are (or were) Nick and Nora? They were the starring characters in Dashiell Hammett’s final novel, The Thin Man (1933). This husband and wife detective team went on to star in films, radio, TV and the stage. When not solving mysteries Nick and Nora Charles enjoyed drinking (quite a lot of) cocktails despite the fact that Prohibition had not yet ended.
Other than cookbooks, we have very few actual books in our house. But I just so happen to have a copy of The Thin Man that my friend, Pam B, gifted me in 1992 with an inscription that reads “Don’t ask questions… just read… at least through chapter 13.” Chapter 13 includes an excerpt from Thomas Duke’s Celebrated Criminal Cases of America (1910) about my infamous relative Alferd Packer, a distant uncle. Packer (my mother’s maiden name) was the first person convicted of cannibalism in the United States (1874) after a silver mining trip went awry in Colorado. That’s why this book has remained on my bookshelf for 30 years.
Back to cocktails (more fitting for a food blog). Nick and Nora’s drink of choice was a martini. Since I posted A Martini for Wharton Esherick a little over a year ago, I thought we’d make another classic cocktail to christen these glasses. A Manhattan seemed fitting since the story is set in New York City. A Black Manhattan is a twist on a traditional Manhattan created in 2005 by San Francisco (the city where our Nick and Nora actually hail from) bartender, Todd Smith.
Smith substituted Amaro Averna (from Sicily) for the traditional sweet vermouth. ‘Amaro’ means ‘bitter’ in Italian. The most popular amaros are Campari and Aperol but there are many more that fall into this category (Amaro Montenegro is another in our bar). Given Amaro Averna’s bittersweet flavor profile and darker color, a Black Manhattan is less sweet and darker in color than a traditional Manhattan. He also added orange bitters in addition to Angostura. Don’t forget to garnish with a Luxardo cherry (I promise there’s one in each glass!). If you’re looking for an alcohol-forward cocktail, I recommend you give this one a try.
Learn more about Nick and Nora glasses and how they make a great addition to your bar in Town & Country’s T&C Tried & True: Nick and Nora Cocktail Glasses.
| Black Manhattan | Print |
- 2 ounces rye whiskey
- 1 ounce Amaro Averna
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- 1 dash orange bitters (see Notes)
- Garnish: maraschino cherry (see Notes)
- Chill glasses in freezer for a few minutes or add ice cubes to them. Discard ice cubes prior to filling glass.
- Fill a mixing glass with ice and add rye whiskey, Amaro Averna, Angostura bitters and orange bitters. Stir until chilled.
- Strain into a Nick and Nora or coupe glass.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
And another amaro- Select. I will let you know how it works.
Dad – Please do! I am a novice when it comes to Amaros (beyond Campari and Aperol).
Loved this post! Hope you are doing well, Nicole.
Laura – Thank you! I’m so glad you liked this post. I had a lot of fun writing it. My husband and I went to Teresa’s Next Door on Sunday for brunch. I was thinking of you and the wonderful meal we had there. So good to hear from you.