We need to talk about the godfather of all whiskey cocktails, the Manhattan. This isn’t just some random mix of spirits – it’s a piece of liquid history that’s been turning casual drinkers into cocktail snobs since before Instagram was even a twinkle in Silicon Valley’s eye 🥃.
So unlike those TikTok drink trends that disappear faster than your last paycheck 😅, this one’s got staying power.
Manhattan Cocktail
The Manhattan is a sophisticated blend of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and aromatic bitters, garnished with a cherry. This perfectly balanced cocktail showcases the spicy notes of rye while being smoothed out by the sweet vermouth’s herbal complexity.
1
servings2
minutes187
kcalIngredients
2 Ounces Rye whiskey
1 Ounce Sweet vermouth
2 Dashes Angostura bitters
1 Piece Luxardo cherry (for garnish)
1 Piece Orange peel (for garnish)
Directions
- Chill your coupe or martini glass with ice water.
- Add rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice.
- Stir gently for 30 seconds until well-chilled.
- Empty your chilled glass of ice water.
- Strain the cocktail into the chilled glass using a julep strainer.
- Garnish with a Luxardo cherry and express an orange peel over the drink before dropping it in.
Equipment
A Bar Above Diamond Cut Cocktail Mixing GlassBuy this mixing glass here
A Bar Above Gold Julep StrainerBuy it here
A Bar Above Stainless Steel Long Bar Spoons (Gold)Buy this spoon here
A Bar Above Gold Japanese JiggerBuy this jigger here
A Bar Above Channel Knife Stainless (Gold)Buy this carver here
Viski Angled Stemmed Crystal Coupe GlassBuy this glass here
Recipe Video
Notes
- Using premium vermouth is crucial – once opened, keep it refrigerated and use within 1 month.
- The stirring technique matters – you want to chill and dilute without over-diluting.
- If you can’t find Luxardo cherries, Amarena cherries are a worthy substitute.
- Want to batch these bad boys for a crowd? Ditch the calculator – just multiply everything by your guest count, but easy on the vermouth and bitters at first. And if you’re still rocking that spaghetti strainer and grandma’s teaspoon, it’s time for an upgrade. Trust me, your Manhattan game deserves better tools than your pasta setup.
The Good Stuff: What to Buy
Rye Whiskey Talk
Listen, I’ve tried every rye out there (tough job, but someone’s gotta do it). Here’s the real talk on what works:
- Rittenhouse Rye: My ride-or-die. It’s 100-proof of perfection.
- Wild Turkey 101 Rye: When you’re balling on a budget but still want that kick.
- Michter’s Single Barrel: When you’re feeling fancy and got cash to burn.
Vermouth Game
- Carpano Antica Formula: The GOAT. Accept no substitutes.
- Cocchi Vermouth di Torino: Almost as good and a few bucks cheaper.
- Dolin Rouge: When you’re starting out and don’t know what’s what yet.
Manhattan Variations
The Manhattan is considered the quintessential rye cocktail, however, there are some out there that prefer to substitute brandy in place of rye and variations that use other base spirits. Well, the question is: who’s right and who’s wrong? The answer is both. You should enjoy The Manhattan however you want. Here are some more variations:
Dry Manhattan Cocktail
- 2oz Rye
- 1oz Dry vermouth (Dolin Dry Vermouth)
- 2 Dashes of Bitters, Angostura or Aromatic
- Garnish with lemon peel
Apple Manhattan Cocktail
- 2oz Bourbon (Makers Mark)
- 1oz Berentzen apple liqueur
- Dash of Aromatic Bitters
- Thin Slice of granny smith apple
Reverse Manhattan Cocktail
- 1oz Bourbon (Bulleit Bourbon)
- 1oz Sweet vermouth (Dolin)
- 1oz Dry vermouth (Dolin)
- Dash of Aromatic Bitters
- Orange zest coin for garnish
- Bordeaux cherry for garnish
A Little History
Like most classic cocktails swirling around the late 1800s, the Manhattan’s true origin is more myth than fact. While the Manhattan Club near Carnegie Hall proudly claims they mixed up the first one in the 1870s, the real story has more plot twists than a soap opera.
That famous tale about Lady Randolph Churchill (Winston’s mom) commissioning it for a fancy party? Pure fiction – she was actually in Europe having baby Winston at the time.
But here’s where it gets interesting: this drink’s popularity exploded during Prohibition, when Canadian whisky became America’s new best friend. Our northern neighbors kept the Manhattan alive while American distilleries went dark.
Final Thoughts
Look, I could geek out about Manhattans all day (and often do), but here’s the bottom line: this isn’t just some vintage recipe card gathering dust – it’s a living blueprint for what makes cocktails great. While other drinks come and go faster than fashion trends, this Pre-Prohibition powerhouse has outlasted world wars, disco, and yes, even that whole espresso martini craze 🤙.
Also, when someone tells you Manhattans should be shaken, not stirred, just smile and back away slowly. We don’t need that kind of negativity in our lives.
After all, when you’re making one of these classics, you’re not just mixing a drink – you’re participating in cocktail history. And unlike those trending drinks flooding your social feed, this one’s got staying power.
Stay home, stay safe, and remember – some classics are classic for a damn good reason. Now go forth and stir with confidence. The Manhattan Club might be history, but their legacy lives on in every perfectly stirred glass.
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