Who invented the Manhattan cocktail?

The inventor of the Manhattan cocktail is a mystery, with several contenders vying for the title. Here's what we know:

* The most popular story: The drink was supposedly created in 1874 at the Manhattan Club in New York City for a reception held in honor of Samuel J. Tilden, the Democratic candidate for President. This story was popularized by the late 19th century, with various sources claiming that a bartender named "Black" or "Professor" Conklin mixed the drink.

* Another contender: Some sources claim the Manhattan was invented in the 1860s at the Knickerbocker Hotel in New York City by a bartender named William "Black" Powers.

* No definitive proof: Unfortunately, none of these claims can be definitively proven. There's no concrete evidence to support any single story.

The bottom line: While we may never know for sure who invented the Manhattan, it's clear that the drink originated in New York City in the late 19th century.