Thurso
A revamped Manhattan for the holiday season
On a recent trip to LA, we had the pleasure of grabbing a drink at £10, a posh semi-secret lounge at the Montage hotel in Beverly Hills. An official U.S. outpost of The Macallan, the interiors of the recently-opened space leave room for improvement, but the tucked-away spot filled with low-slung couches overlooking a grassy courtyard makes for a nicely atmospheric stop-in if you’re in the area, complete with the charming bartender, Nicholas Vitulli, who mixes drinks table-side.
Our favorite was the Thurso, which puts a deliciously fun twist on the Manhattan. Named for an area of the Scottish Highlands, it calls for The Macallan 12 and cinnamon syrup in place of the more traditional American whiskey and sweet vermouth. It’s a simple switch, but one that takes the cocktail staple to the next level for holiday-season dinner parties. Topped with a dusting of fresh nutmeg, sipping it anywhere is a multi-sensory experience.
Thurso
2 oz The Macallan 12
1 demarara sugar cube
3/4 oz cinnamon syrup
2 dashes Jerry Thomas’ bitters
3 dashes Jamaican jerk bitters
Stir/strain over Highland Springs ball/shaved nutmeg
