Aisha Tyler demonstrates the 'Sidney Poitier,' a twist on the Manhattan

Aisha Tyler teaches us a variation of the classic Manhattan cocktail called "The Sidney Poitier."

Because it's your drinkI'm not gonna tell you how to live your life.(upbeat jazz music)I'm Aisha Tylerand I am the creator and co-owner of Courage + Stonewhich is a line of ready-to-drink premium cocktailsand I'm gonna make you guys a drink today.Now, this is a variation on the Manhattancalled The Sidney Poitier.This drink is made with very classic Manhattan components,Whiskey and some kind of vermouth.In this case, it's made with bourbonversus rye for the Manhattan.You can use any whiskey that you like,something people may not know about American whiskey is thatthe very first master distilleror one of the very first master distillersin the United States was a black man,his name was Nathan Nearest Greenand he actually taught Jack Danielhow to make whiskey.So, it's really important to me to connect with thevery strong grand American traditionthat Black people have in connection with distillingand whiskey specifically.And I encourage you to learn moreand you can actually buy Nathan Nearest Green whiskeyall over the country now.So, we are gonna do one and a half ounces of whiskey, okay.This is a really easy drink to make,and then three quarters of an ounce of Punt e Mes.You can actually vary this depending onhow intense you like your drink.Punt e Mes is a very intensely flavored vermouth variationand if you want it a little less intense,you can use less.And then a couple of dashes of chocolate bitters.And the original recipe uses Mole Bittersbut you can use any bitters that you like,this is just a standard chocolate bitters.Okay, now, you're gonna get this cold.Most people at home,maybe you've got a shake or something like thatyou're really used to people talking about shaking,you know, you watch a James Bond movie.Do not shake your drinks.When you shake your drinks, it makes all these ice chipsthat make your drink super wateryand honestly a little chewyand no one wants to chew their drink,you can't look cool when you're chewing your Manhattan.So, if you don't have a fancy stirrer like this,you can put it in a jelly jar or a teacup,you can use your finger,I'm not going to tell you how to live your life,but do not shake your drinkand make it filled with ice chunksthat turns into a slushie.Get that baby cold.Stir it maybe like 10 or 20 revolutions,just to get it chilled.I'm gonna jump ahead like Julia Child used to do,and then you're just going straight into a glass.Super simple, super easy, here we go.Aw, she's a pretty, pretty girl.And then if you feel very fancy,you can garnish this, I've got some cherries'cause that's the standard Manhattan garnish vibe.But again, I don't know if you want todrop a piece of chocolate in there'cause you're trying to keep it dark.Do your thing.And that is the Sidney Poitier.Mm, all Sidney, delicious.