• Mixing glass

• Jigger or measuring tool

• Bar spoon

• Fine strainer

• Coupe glass or rocks glass

1. Chill the Glass

• Fill your glass with ice water and set aside while you mix the drink.

2. Build the Cocktail

• In a mixing glass, combine:

  • 2 oz rye whiskey (for a spicier Manhattan) or bourbon (for a smoother, sweeter profile)

  • 1 oz sweet vermouth

  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters

• Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir for 30–45 seconds until well-chilled.

3. Strain & Serve

• Discard the ice water from your glass and strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe glass (for up) or a rocks glass over a large ice cube (for on the rocks).

4. Garnish & Finish

• Garnish with a maraschino cherry dropped into the glass or skewered.

• Alternatively, express a lemon twist over the drink and drop it in for a slightly brighter finish.

• Perfect Manhattan: Use equal parts sweet and dry vermouth for a drier, slightly more complex profile.

• Rob Roy: Swap whiskey for Scotch for a smoky, peaty twist.

• Black Manhattan: Replace vermouth with Amaro Averna for a darker, more herbal Manhattan.

• Reverse Manhattan: Flip the proportions to 2 oz vermouth and 1 oz whiskey for a lower-proof version.

• Food: Charcuterie board, aged cheeses, or beef sliders

• Snack: Spiced nuts, dark chocolate, or bourbon-glazed pecans

• Dessert: Pecan pie, chocolate truffles, or caramel cheesecake