Susan's Southern Comfort Manhattan

Susan’s Southern Comfort Manhattan

• 3 oz Southern Comfort
• .75 oz Sweet Vermouth
• .75 oz Dry Vermouth
• Maraschino juice to taste
• Maraschino cherries

Shake with ice. (Or not... Just drink.)

Some summer day, at his family cabin, my friend Kevin happened upon an unremarkable scene: Susan, his daily crossword completing, librarian mother, sitting at the kitchen table, presiding over a conversation with me and another friend.

After a moment of observation, Kevin's expression sharpened from nonchalance to concern. A series of unfinished questions rushed from his face: "Wait… are you? Did you? Mom, are you? Oh god… Are you two drinking Southern Comfort Manhattans with mom?"

My memory, which is notably hazy, is that Susan simply laughed, stood, and walked away. It's possible that I, drunk, finally made my way under the table once she left... but who can say.