Blackthorn recipe
A sophisticated Irish whiskey variation on the Manhattan with sweet vermouth and absinthe.
Method: Stir and strain ·
Glass: Chilled coupe glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Intermediate ·
Family: The Old Fashioned Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz Irish whiskey
- 1 oz Sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Orange bitters
- 1 dash Absinthe (For glass rinse)
How to make a Blackthorn
- Rinse the interior of a chilled coupe glass with absinthe and discard the excess.
- Combine Irish whiskey, sweet vermouth, and orange bitters in a mixing glass filled with ice.
- Stir thoroughly for thirty seconds until chilled and properly diluted.
- Strain the mixture into the prepared coupe glass.
- Garnish with a brandied cherry.
Garnish
Garnish with a brandied cherry.
Pro tip
Use a smooth, mid-shelf Irish whiskey to allow the botanical herbal notes of the absinthe and sweet vermouth to shine without overpowering the drink.
History of the Blackthorn
The Blackthorn cocktail first appeared in early twentieth-century bartending guides, though its exact origins remain disputed between Irish whiskey iterations and earlier sloe gin recipes. Named after the wild shrub native to Ireland and Britain, the drink evolved through various transatlantic cocktail manuals. While sloe gin versions dominated some vintage texts, the Irish whiskey variant established itself as a bold, spirit-forward relative of the Manhattan. Bartenders should note this historical split when exploring vintage recipe archives to ensure the intended flavor profile.
Flavour profile
Herbal, Rich, Bittersweet, Complex
Variations
- Sloe Gin Blackthorn — Substitute sloe gin for Irish whiskey and dry vermouth for sweet vermouth.
- Brooklyn Blackthorn — Swap Irish whiskey for rye whiskey and add a dash of maraschino liqueur.
Practise making the Blackthorn in the free Virtual Bar game.