Manhattan recipe
Rye, vermouth, and bitters — the cocktail that built New York.
Method: Stir ·
Glass: Coupe glass (chilled) ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Intermediate ·
Family: The Martini Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz Rye Whiskey (Rittenhouse or Bulleit Rye)
- 1 oz Sweet Vermouth (Carpano Antica or Cocchi di Torino)
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
How to make a Manhattan
- Chill a coupe glass.
- Add rye, sweet vermouth, and bitters to a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir for 30 seconds until well-chilled.
- Strain into the chilled coupe.
- Garnish with a brandied cherry.
Garnish
Brandied cherry (Luxardo or homemade).
Pro tip
Use rye, not bourbon. Rye's spiciness cuts through the sweet vermouth beautifully. Bourbon makes it too sweet and one-dimensional.
History of the Manhattan
Allegedly invented in the 1870s at the Manhattan Club in New York City for a banquet hosted by Lady Randolph Churchill (Winston Churchill's mother). Whether that story is true or not, the Manhattan has been a New York institution for over 150 years.
Flavour profile
Rich, Spicy, Cherry, Warm
Variations
- Perfect Manhattan — Split the vermouth: 0.5 oz sweet + 0.5 oz dry
- Rob Roy — Replace rye with Scotch whisky
- Black Manhattan — Replace sweet vermouth with Averna amaro
Practise making the Manhattan in the free Virtual Bar game.