Manhattan Cocktail

Here are the secrets to the best Manhattan cocktail recipe! Make this easy classic cocktail with just three ingredients.

Are you a fan of the Manhattan cocktail? This sophisticated whiskey drink has a long history and has stood the test of time. It’s got only three ingredients, but there’s so much going on in one sip! Hints of vanilla and oak come from the bourbon, sweet and spicy notes from the vermouth, and an herbal nuance from the bitters. When we want a truly classic cocktail, this is one we’ll reach for. Here are the Manhattan cocktail ingredients and how to make a truly stellar drink.

Manhattan cocktail ingredients

The Manhattan cocktail dates back to the 1870’s, so it’s a predecessor to the many cocktails that sprung up in the 1920’s and 30’s. The story goes that the drink was invented at a club called The Manhattan Club in New York City, hence the name. The Manhattan is a classic cocktail on the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails. This means that there’s an official definition for the Manhattan cocktail ingredients:

• Rye whiskey
• Sweet red vermouth
• Angostura bitters
• Luxardo cocktail cherry for the garnish

Let’s chat through each of the ingredients, shall we?

For the whiskey: rye vs bourbon

The traditional way to make a Manhattan cocktail recipe is with rye whiskey. Rye whiskey has a spicier flavor than bourbon, which is sweeter. Personally we like the sweeter flavor of bourbon here, which makes a smoother, more balanced Manhattan. Feel free to use whatever suits your tastes! Some bourbon options we recommend are Elijah Craig Small Batch or Woodford Reserve. Use a locally distilled option if you have one (we used a local bourbon: Hotel Tango from Indianapolis).

Typically we prefer the taste of bourbon whiskey to rye in cocktails, but it depends on the drink! We use bourbon in our Whiskey Sour and Old Fashioned recipes. Love Scotch? Make a Manhattan with Scotch whisky: it’s called a Rob Roy! See below for more Manhattan variations.

All about vermouth!

Vermouth is a fortified wine, meaning that liquor has been added to stabilize it. Other types of fortified wines are Port, Sherry or Madeira. There are two main types of vermouth: sweet (usually red) and dry (usually white).

• Sweet vermouth is subtly sweet and spicy, with a hint of bitter on the finish. It’s used in many classic cocktails, like the Manhattan, Negroni, and Americano.
• Dry white vermouth tastes like a dry white wine. It’s most famous for its use in martinis, like the Classic Martini or Dirty Martini.

You can mix vermouth in cocktails, or you can drink sweet vermouth on the rocks as an aperitif. When we visited Spain, we loved drinking Spanish vermouth on the rocks: it has an even sweeter flavor: almost like cola! Store vermouth in the refrigerator, where it will stay good for up to 3 months.

Angostura bitters add complexity

Angostura bitters are popularly used in cocktails to add a complex and bitter undertone. Grab a bottle and shake a dash or two into a drink, and it goes from one-note to extraordinarily complex with just a few drops. That’s because bitters are made with many herbs and spices, which add intrigue because the flavors are not easily recognizable.

Angostura bitters are one of the most popular in drinks and easy to find. They get the name from their manufacturer: the House of Angostura in Trinidad and Tobago. More classic cocktails that use Angostura bitters? The Old Fashioned, Toronto, Trinidad Sour and Champagne Cocktail.

Top the Manhattan with a cherry…a Luxardo cherry!

The garnish is an important part of any cocktail, especially classic cocktails! It’s not the real thing without the garnish, right? The garnish for a Manhattan cocktail is a Luxardo cherry.

Luxardo cherries are a cocktail cherry, but they’re so dark red they almost look black. They don’t taste anything like a Maraschino: the flavor is complex, fruity, and nutty, almost like amaretto. Where to find Luxardo cherries? It’s easiest to get them online.

How to make a Manhattan

Once you’ve gathered all the ingredients, the easy part is making the Manhattan cocktail! This three ingredient cocktail takes only a few minutes to make. Here are a few notes on what to do:

• Stir together all ingredients in a cocktail mixing glass. Shaking the drink in a cocktail shaker would dilute it too much. A cocktail mixing glass is used for “stirred” cocktails that are spirit-forward and served without ice, like the Manhattan and Martini.
• Don’t have one? You can use any glass or container you like to mix the drink, then strain it into the serving glass. But if you want to look like someone who knows their cocktails, grab yourself a cocktail mixing glass. (Plus, it just looks cool.)

Manhattan variations

There are many popular variations on the Manhattan. Once you’ve made it the classic way, try these spins! Our personal favorites are with bourbon and brandy.

• Bourbon Manhattan Use bourbon for a sweeter Manhattan with notes of oak and vanilla.
• Brandy Manhattan A sophisticated spin on the classic cocktail recipe using brandy or Cognac.
• Black Manhattan Swap in an Italian amaro for the sweet vermouth.
• Rob Roy Make a Manhattan with Scotch instead of rye whiskey.
• Brooklyn A unique spin with Maraschino liqueur and bitters.
• Revolver A tasty variation with Tia Maria coffee liqueur.
• Martinez A gin version of a Manhattan using Maraschino liqueur.

When to serve this Manhattan cocktail recipe

The Manhattan cocktail is a sophisticated and complex whiskey cocktail. It’s perfect for sipping as a:

• Happy hour drink
• Dinner party drink
• Late night drinks drink
• Guys or girls night drink
• Cocktail hour drink

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More whiskey cocktails

We’ve got lots of great whiskey cocktails and bourbon cocktails for you to choose from! Here are our favorites:

• Favorite Whiskey Sour Perfectly balanced and so easy to make!
• Classic Old Fashioned The oldest cocktail there is! A truly timeless drink. See also: the Manhattan vs Old Fashioned
• Whiskey Smash Tangy and refreshing — like a citrus spin on the Mint Julep.
• Boulevardier A stunning classic cocktail! A spin on the Negroni swapping gin for whiskey.
• Sazerac The official cocktail of New Orleans! Cognac, whiskey and absinthe make this famous drink.
• Toronto Cocktail Pairs the depth of whiskey with the intrigue of Fernet-Branca liqueur.
• Penicillin A modern classic starring Scotch, honey, lemon and ginger.
• Vieux Carre Strong and sippable with whiskey, Cognac and vermouth.
• A few others to try? Brown Derby, Kentucky Mule, Alabama Slammer, or Paper Plane.

Last updated: March 2021