A timeless whiskey cocktail that’s both elegant and bold, the Manhattan combines smooth rye or bourbon with sweet vermouth and aromatic bitters. Stirred and served straight up or on the rocks, it’s garnished with a maraschino cherry for a touch of sweetness.
🍸 Style: Spirit-forward / Classic
🌿 Flavor Profile: Rich, smooth, slightly bitter
🕰 Time to Make: 5 minutes
🥃 Glassware: Coupe or rocks glass
🧊 Method: Stirred and strained
Mixing glass
Jigger or measuring tool
Bar spoon
Fine strainer
Coupe glass or rocks glass
Fill your glass with ice water and set aside while you mix the drink.
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.
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).
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
0 servings