The Manhattan is a classic, spirit-forward cocktail made with a balanced blend of whiskey, sweet vermouth, and aromatic bitters. Traditionally served “up” (chilled without ice) in a coupe or martini glass, it is iconic for its sophisticated, deep amber color and signature cherry garnish
Classic Recipe
The standard ratio for a Manhattan is 2:1:2—a handy mnemonic referring to Manhattan’s original 212 area code: 2 oz whiskey, 1 oz vermouth, and 2 dashes of bitters.
- 2 oz Rye or Bourbon Whiskey: Rye is traditional for its spicy, dry profile. You can use Bourbon for a sweeter, mellower drink.
- 1 oz Sweet Vermouth: A red, fortified wine.
- 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters: Essential for adding depth and herbal complexity.
- Garnish: A brandied or Maraschino cherry and/or a lemon or orange twist. I make my own brandied cherries that I preserve and store for later use, but many brands are available for purchase.
Preparation Steps
Chill the Glass: Place your cocktail glass in the freezer for a few minutes or fill your glass with ice to chill
Combine Ingredients: Add the whiskey, vermouth, and bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice.
Stir (Don’t Shake): Stir gently for about 30 seconds until the glass is very cold. Stirring preserves the drink’s silky texture and clarity.
Strain and Garnish: Strain into your chilled glass. Drop in a cherry or express the oils of an orange peel over the surface.
Popular Variations
- Perfect Manhattan: Uses equal parts sweet and dry vermouth (1/2) oz each) for a drier finish.
- Black Manhattan: Replaces sweet vermouth with Averna amaro for a darker, more herbal profile.
- Rob Roy: Swaps the rye/bourbon for Scotch whisky.
- Dry Manhattan: Uses dry vermouth instead of sweet, usually garnished with a lemon twist
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Equipment:
Manhattan
Ingredients
Instructions
- Add dashes of bitters into a mixing glass and fill it with ice. Pour bourbon and vermouth into glass and stir until chilled, about 30 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass or rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with bourbon cherries.
- Bourbon cherries can be made by filling a sterilized jar with pitted cherries. Fill jar with bourbon and seal.