By Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

One of the essentials in any well-stocked liquor cabinet is Italian maraschino liqueur. Not to be confused with the bright red American mara-SHEENO cherries, the liqueur is called mara-SKEENO and is nothing like the American product. Hailing originally from Dalmatia, it’s made with the marasca cherry, the real Italian cherry. Best of all, this classic spirit not only enlivens your cocktails but your dinner table as well. I am never without a bottle in my liquor closet.

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By Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

Well, our Manhattan seminar has come and gone. Our EQ students had a terrific time tasting not only five varieties of Manhattan, but all the different components in this classic cocktail. We had (small thimbleful) tastes of three whiskeys, three vermouths, a bunch of bitters—basically, we did the Manhattan to death. We finished with an all-new Manhattan recipe—plus I shared with the students the secret of making excellent cocktails in bulk quantities. Party Read on…

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