Selecting the oh-so-classic Manhattan as July’s martini recipe was an easy choice– especially with Alexandra and Amanda traveling to New York City this weekend to attend some great events (more details to follow!).  With its sophisticated status, frequent cameos in AMC series Mad Men, and overall tough urban appeal, the Manhattan is a standby cocktail, even if you’re not in a New York State of Mind.

Ingredients:

• 6 Parts Rye Whiskey
• 2 Parts Sweet Vermouth
• 1 Dash Angostura Bitters
• Maraschino Cherry

Preparation:

1. Combine whiskey, vermouth and bitters in an icy cocktail shaker
2. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass
3. Garnish with a maraschino cherry
4. Enjoy!

For comprehensive directions and tips from a cocktail master, watch the video below:

Tomorrow is National Martini Day, but today is National Splurge Day (or National $plurge Day).  It’s probably fitting that a drinking holiday comes the day after a huge spending holiday.  You will likely need a drink after the fortune that you spend, or at least think about spending, on a great day of stimulating consumption.

I asked a few of our team members what they would splurge on today.

Martha's splurge- a vacation ending in Savannah, Georgia

“A 2 week vacation along the East Coast – New York to Savannah, Georgia, visiting museums, historical sites, etc.”  – Martha Kirkpatrick, Director, Member Services

“Haha I will try to think of something other than the iPad… although let’s be honest!” – Amanda Butterworth, Senior Director, Creative Services

“I would upgrade the rest of my flights in 2010 to First Class.  I might also buy some new Ferragamo shoes so I’m flying in style.”  – Yours truly (Alexandra)

“Prada shoes.” – Andrea Gibson, Advisor

Amanda's splurge- An Apple iPad. Photo: wired.com

On this spending day, I also started thinking about what I would really want to splurge on for Gibson Design Management or any of our other companies.  (more…)