Red Stag Manhattan

So you know how I feel about flavored whiskey. You don’t need it if you have full bar with plenty of liqueurs. I could have easily made the drink with Cherry Heering, and if I wanted to I could have made my own cherry bourbon. There was something simple about getting a mini of Red Stag and trying it in a cocktail, though. It was rich and warming, not overwhelmingly sweet, with a lot of flavors to keep you interested.

• 1 1/2 oz. bourbon
• 1/2 oz. Red Stag
• 1/2 oz. sweet vermouth

Combine all ingredients in a shaker full of ices. Shake and strain in a child cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry.

The Toasted Caramel Manhattan

Something You Can’t Make Without Flavored Whiskey

• 4 parts (2 oz.) Canadian, bourbon, or blended whiskey
• 2 parts (1 oz.) Black Velvet Toasted Caramel whiskey

Shake over ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry if desired.