Manhattan Cocktail
Stir, don’t shake, four simple ingredients together to make a classic and iconic Manhattan Cocktail and feel like a master bartender!
Why We Love a Manhattan Cocktail
- Stir up a simple mix of bar staples to make the perfect Manhattan cocktail- it’s the classic way to end the day!
- Whiskey, vermouth, bitters, and a cherry on top is a traditional Manhattan cocktail recipe that is so delicious we’ve been enjoying this cocktail since the 1920s.
- Manhattan’s are so easy to prepare that you can make them by the glass or the pitcher to keep the party flowing smoothly.
- The strong whiskey is tempered by the sweet vermouth and bright bitters, which makes this drink well-balanced and a treat to drink- especially with a cherry on top!
Manhattan Cocktail Ingredients
WHISKEY: To make the best Manhattan cocktail recipe you will need Rye Whiskey. Grab a bottle from the middle of top shelves at the store. You don’t want bottom-shelf whiskey or plastic bottles. Treat yourself.
VERMOUTH: You will need sweet vermouth for this cocktail. Not to be confused with dry vermouth. Make sure you read the label.
BITTERS: Bitters bring a balancing act of bitter brightness to the heavy whiskey and perk up the senses. Pick up some Angostura bitters or your favorite brand – stick with the original flavor.
GARNISH: Luxardo cherries are the perfect cherry for this drink, with more of a sweet nuttiness, instead of the syrupy sweetness that modern Maraschino cherries have. A twist of orange rind would also be great with this drink.
How to Make a Manhattan Cocktail
Jump to RecipeSTEP 1 Add ice, whiskey, vermouth, and bitters to a mixing glass.
STEP 2 Gently stir the drink, allowing the ingredients to chill and the flavor to develop.
STEP 3 Strain the drink into a glass and garnish with a cherry (and orange rind if using).
Tips & Tricks
- Swap amaro with the sweet vermouth and add an extra dash of bitters to make a Black Manhattan Cocktail! This cocktail is a little heavier and a touch more bitter but has a wonderful depth of flavor.
- You can use the Maraschino cherries found in grocery stores instead of Luxardo cherries if you really want to. Yes, Luxardo cherries are more expensive, but they are SO worth it for their delicious flavor!
- If you prefer Bourbon or American whiskey, then feel free to use that in place of the rye whiskey. Rye is traditional, but other whiskeys are fine to substitute.
Manhattan Cocktail Recipe FAQ
What’s the difference between a Manhattan and an Old Fashioned?
A Manhattan cocktail and an Old Fashioned cocktail are both straightforward drinks, requiring only a few ingredients. The noticeable difference between the two lies in the sweetness of the drinks. Sweet vermouth is used in a Manhattan cocktail to not only bring in sweetness but also notes of spice, making the flavor more complex.
An Old Fashioned, on the other hand, requires a sugar cube to prove sweetness and no other flavors. The subtle difference in the ingredients may be small but is one that sets these two drinks apart.
Is a Manhattan just a whiskey martini?
At first glance, the two may seem similar but there are enough differences, especially the taste, that make these two completely different cocktails.
As you’ve read, the Manhattan is made with whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. A classic martini is made using gin, dry vermouth, and usually an olive. There is a sweetness, balanced with bitters that the martini lacks.
What kind of vermouth should I use in a Manhattan cocktail?
Sweet vermouth is the way to go when making the perfect Manhattan cocktail, and brands like Martini& Rossi and Cinzano are a few of the usual brands you will be able to find at the store.
Dolin Rouge and Carpano Antica are brands worth upgrading to when it comes to quality vermouth for your cocktail. There are so few ingredients needed to make a Manhattan that it is well worth it to spend a little extra money purchasing quality ingredients to make a really excellent cocktail.
Other Recipes You May Like
Manhattan Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces rye whiskey
- ¾ ounces sweet vermouth
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- Luxardo cherries for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a bar mixing glass 1/3 to 1/2 full with ice.
- Pour in the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitter. Gently stir to combine.
- Strain into a martini glass (or rocks glass) and garnish with a cherry. Serve immediately.
Notes
- If you don’t have a bar mixing glass, you can use a cocktail shaker instead.
- If preferred, you can garnish with an orange peel or a modern (bright red) maraschino cherry.
- If you don’t like rye whiskey, American whiskey, bourbon, or Canadian whiskey can be substituted. Do not use flavored whiskey.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.