Jennie Churchill: The Manhattan Legend
In the heart of Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood, where modern hustle and bustle meets the echoes of Gilded Age glamour, lies a tale as intriguing as the city itself. It’s the story of Jennie Jerome, a woman whose vivacious spirit and undeniable allure left an indelible mark on the social fabric of her time. Born in Brooklyn but raised amidst the fashionable area surrounding Madison Square Park in the mid-1800s, Jennie’s life was full of romance, intrigue, and even a touch of legend.
Jennie, with her striking beauty and charm, seemed to be destined for greatness from the start. Growing up in the Jerome Mansion at Madison Avenue and 26th Street, her upbringing was steeped in luxury and privilege. Her father, Leonard Jerome, known as the “King of Wall Street,” spared no expense in providing his daughters with the finest things in life. It was within this context that Jennie’s journey began — a journey that would lead her to the heights of society on both sides of the Atlantic.
But it was more than her beauty that captured the attention of those around her. She possessed a dynamic personality and an adventurous spirit that set her apart — and led to her marriage on April 15, 1874, at the age of 20, to Lord Randolph Churchill, the third son of John Winston Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke of Marlborough and Lady Frances Anne Vane. Her time in what is now known as Manhattan’s NoMad district, saw her mingling with the elite of New York society. It was here that the legend of Jennie Churchill, the inventor of the Manhattan cocktail, was born.
The tale goes that during a banquet at the Manhattan Club in 1874, held in honor of political figure Samuel J. Tilden, Jennie requested a special drink to commemorate the occasion. It’s been told that Dr. Iain Marshall, a guest at the event, concocted a unique blend of rye, vermouth, and bitters at Jennie’s direction, thus giving birth to the iconic Manhattan cocktail. Historical records cast doubt on this story, however, as Jennie was likely in Europe at the time, expecting her son Winston Churchill.
Nevertheless, the myth of her involvement in the creation of the Manhattan cocktail endures, adding to the mystique surrounding her persona. Another fascinating aspect of Jennie’s life was her a snake coiled around her wrist. In an era when such expressions were considered taboo among polite society, this tattoo was a bold statement of her independence and individuality.
Despite the controversies and scandals that followed her, Jennie remained a beloved figure in both American and British high society. Her charm and wit endeared her to the most influential figures of her time, including Queen Alexandra and the Prince of Wales. Even in her later years, Jennie continued to captivate those around her, with her legacy enduring long after her death in 1921.
Today, as we wander the streets of NoMad, we can’t help but feel the echoes of Jennie’s presence lingering in the night air like a refrain from another time. And as we raise a glass to toast her legacy, let us also celebrate the spirit of innovation and adventure that she embodied. In honor of Jennie Churchill, why not indulge in a Manhattan-inspired cocktail at one of NoMad’s hot watering holes, such as Tusk Bar at the Evelyn Hotel, The Churchill Tavern, or BLACKBARN? Like Jennie, these cocktails are sure to leave an impression.
Open Sesame
Tusk Bar
7 East 27th Street
Tristan Brunel, bar director
A play on a Manhattan with an aromatic oloroso sherry and an apple aperitif from the Hudson Valley replacing the vermouth component. The toasted sesame compliments nutty notes of oloroso, and orchard fruit flavors of the apple create an intriguing pairing. Finish with a little honey and a couple dashes of saline solution to bind the flavors across the palate.
- .75 oz. sesame paste fat washed Old Forester bourbon
- .75 oz. sesame paste fat washed Laird’s apple brandy
- .75 oz. Neversink apple aperitif
- .25 oz. oloroso sherry
- .25 oz. honey
- 2 dashes saline
The Churchill Manhattan
The Churchill Tavern
45 East 28th Street
Karl Connors, bartender
- 2.25 oz. bourbon
- .75 oz. Pimms
- 2 dashes bitters
- Cherry
The NoMad
BLACKBARN
19 East 26th Street
- 2 oz. Hudson Rye Maple
- 1 oz. dry vermouth
- 3 dashes of orange bitters
- Pour over a large ice cube Garnish with orange peel
We at NOMAD Magazine say cheers to the indomitable spirit of Jennie Jerome Churchill, the legend of Manhattan, and the panther of New York City’s NoMad.