The Manhattan is a refined, sophisticated cocktail that dates back to the late 19th century. It’s a balanced mix of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and aromatic bitters, creating a rich, smooth, and slightly sweet cocktail. It’s traditionally served in a chilled glass and garnished with a maraschino cherry or a citrus twist.
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Mixing glass or cocktail shaker
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Hawthorne strainer
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Chilled coupe or martini glass
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Bar spoon
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Cocktail pick
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Chill the Glass:
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Fill a coupe or martini glass with ice water and set aside to chill while you prepare the cocktail.
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Combine Ingredients:
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In a mixing glass, add rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters.
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Fill the mixing glass with ice.
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Stir to Chill:
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Stir the mixture for about 30 seconds until well-chilled and slightly diluted.
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Strain and Serve:
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Discard the ice water from the serving glass.
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Using a Hawthorne strainer, strain the cocktail into the chilled glass.
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Garnish:
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Drop a maraschino cherry into the glass.
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For an aromatic finish, express the oils of an orange or lemon twist over the drink and drop it in.
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Serve immediately to keep the drink at its optimal temperature.
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The traditional Manhattan is served straight up (no ice) in a stemmed glass to maintain its chill.
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Appetizers: Charcuterie board with smoked meats and cheeses, spiced nuts, or blue cheese-stuffed olives.
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Main Course: Grilled ribeye steak, roasted duck, or mushroom risotto.
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Dessert: Dark chocolate truffles, pecan pie, or bourbon bread pudding.
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Perfect Manhattan: Use equal parts sweet and dry vermouth for a slightly less sweet profile.
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Dry Manhattan: Substitute dry vermouth for sweet vermouth for a more bracing, herbal flavor.
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Rob Roy: Swap rye whiskey for Scotch for a smoky, earthy variation.
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Black Manhattan: Replace sweet vermouth with amaro for a bitter, complex twist.
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Smoky Manhattan: Add a rinse of peaty Scotch or a drop of liquid smoke for depth.
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The Manhattan is believed to have been created in the early 1880s at the Manhattan Club in New York City for a banquet hosted by Lady Randolph Churchill, Winston Churchill’s mother.
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The original recipe called for rye whiskey, but bourbon became popular during Prohibition due to the scarcity of rye.
Ingredients
Directions
-
Mixing glass or cocktail shaker
-
Hawthorne strainer
-
Chilled coupe or martini glass
-
Bar spoon
-
Cocktail pick
-
Chill the Glass:
-
Fill a coupe or martini glass with ice water and set aside to chill while you prepare the cocktail.
-
-
Combine Ingredients:
-
In a mixing glass, add rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters.
-
Fill the mixing glass with ice.
-
-
Stir to Chill:
-
Stir the mixture for about 30 seconds until well-chilled and slightly diluted.
-
-
Strain and Serve:
-
Discard the ice water from the serving glass.
-
Using a Hawthorne strainer, strain the cocktail into the chilled glass.
-
-
Garnish:
-
Drop a maraschino cherry into the glass.
-
For an aromatic finish, express the oils of an orange or lemon twist over the drink and drop it in.
-
-
Serve immediately to keep the drink at its optimal temperature.
-
The traditional Manhattan is served straight up (no ice) in a stemmed glass to maintain its chill.
-
Appetizers: Charcuterie board with smoked meats and cheeses, spiced nuts, or blue cheese-stuffed olives.
-
Main Course: Grilled ribeye steak, roasted duck, or mushroom risotto.
-
Dessert: Dark chocolate truffles, pecan pie, or bourbon bread pudding.
-
Perfect Manhattan: Use equal parts sweet and dry vermouth for a slightly less sweet profile.
-
Dry Manhattan: Substitute dry vermouth for sweet vermouth for a more bracing, herbal flavor.
-
Rob Roy: Swap rye whiskey for Scotch for a smoky, earthy variation.
-
Black Manhattan: Replace sweet vermouth with amaro for a bitter, complex twist.
-
Smoky Manhattan: Add a rinse of peaty Scotch or a drop of liquid smoke for depth.
-
The Manhattan is believed to have been created in the early 1880s at the Manhattan Club in New York City for a banquet hosted by Lady Randolph Churchill, Winston Churchill’s mother.
-
The original recipe called for rye whiskey, but bourbon became popular during Prohibition due to the scarcity of rye.