Manhattan Cocktail Recipe – Love and Lemons

This traditional Manhattan cocktail recipe is simple to make with rye whiskey, candy vermouth, and bitters. Do not skip the cocktail cherry for garnish!

A Manhattan cocktail is one in all Jack’s favourite drinks. Daring and complex, this traditional cocktail is an easy mixture of whiskey, candy vermouth, and bitters. In line with Jack, it’s not full and not using a cocktail cherry for garnish—brandied or maraschino, take your decide.

Once I consider a Manhattan, I instantly image a darkish, wood-paneled cocktail bar. However these days, we’ve truly been making this traditional drink at dwelling. Simple however elevated, it’s excellent for a low key date night time in.

I’m sharing our go-to Manhattan recipe under. I hope you get pleasure from it as a lot as we do!

What’s in a Manhattan?

The historical past of the Manhattan isn’t completely clear, however it was probably created within the late 1800s on the Manhattan Membership in New York Metropolis. It’s like a cousin of one other of Jack’s favourite whiskey drinks, the quaint. Each are made with whiskey and fragrant bitters.

However whereas an quaint is sweetened with easy syrup or sugar, a Manhattan comprises candy vermouth, a fortified wine that’s infused with aromatics like herbs and spices. Consequently, this cocktail has a darker, extra complicated taste.

Right here’s what you’ll have to make this Manhattan recipe:

Whiskey – Rye whiskey is conventional, and Jack likes its dry, spicy taste right here. His favourite manufacturers are Bulleit and Koval. In the event you like, you should use bourbon for a sweeter, oakier end.
Candy vermouth – We like Vya (pictured), Dolin, and Carpano’s Antica Method.
Bitters – They improve the aromatics within the vermouth, including notes of clove and cinnamon. We use Angostura bitters.
And garnishes – I’m pleased with a lemon twist, however for Jack, a cocktail cherry is among the highlights of this drink. Use brandied cherries or high-quality maraschino cherries like Luxardo.

You’ll additionally want ice for chilling the cocktail.

Discover the entire recipe with measurements under.

Easy methods to Make a Manhattan Cocktail

You could find the entire recipe with measurements on the backside of this put up, however for now, right here’s a fast overview of the way it goes:

In a mixing glass or cocktail shaker, mix the whiskey, vermouth, bitters, and some ice cubes.
Stir till chilled.
Pressure right into a cocktail glass and garnish with a brandied cherry or maraschino cherry. I’m additionally a fan of a lemon twist for garnish! You may even use orange peel should you like.

Manhattan Variations

Need to attempt a special tackle this traditional drink? Listed here are a number of methods to vary it up:

Bourbon Manhattan – I discussed this one above. Merely use bourbon as an alternative of rye!
Black Manhattan – Exchange the candy vermouth with Averna amaro. My sister-in-law Jessie loves this variation! She describes it as extra cherry-forward.
Good Manhattan – Use equal components candy and dry vermouth for a barely drier drink.

Extra Traditional Cocktails to Attempt

In the event you cherished studying how one can make this traditional drink, attempt one in all these cocktail recipes subsequent: