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Learn how to make this classic Manhattan cocktail recipe with whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. It’s smooth, spirit-forward, and easy to scale for a crowd!
The Manhattan is among the first cocktails in history, and has stood the test of time. It’s got only three ingredients, but there’s so much going on flavor-wise: peppery notes from the rye whiskey, hints of sweet and spicy from the vermouth, and herbal nuance from the bitters.
As a cocktail expert, this is a classic cocktail that everyone needs to know how to make. It’s timeless, spirit-forward, and elegant, and personally, I think it’s more interesting than an Old Fashioned. Here are the simple ingredient ratios, expert tips, and how to customize the drink to your tastes!
Why You’ll Love This Manhattan Recipe
- A true classic: It’s built on the traditional 2:1 ratio every bartender knows.
- It’s customizable: Use rye or bourbon, Carpano Antica or Dolin; swapping in different types makes different drinks
- Ready in under 5 minutes: It’s a simple mix and strain method
Ingredients You’ll Need
The Manhattan cocktail was invented in 1874 by a bartender at The Manhattan Club in New York City, supposedly for a party thrown by Jennie Churchill (mother of the famous Winston). The first printed recipe for the Manhattan appeared in the 1884 classic, The Modern Bartender’s Guide, by O.H. Byron.
The Manhattan has gone in and out of fashion throughout the years, but in recent decades it’s been consistently on the list of top ten most popular American cocktails. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- Rye whiskey: The backbone of the drink: see my notes on Rye vs Bourbon below.
- Sweet red vermouth: A fortified wine that adds a subtle sweetness and complexity.
- Angostura bitters: Just a few dashes add intriguing flavor.
- Luxardo cocktail cherry: This is the traditional garnish.
Rye vs Bourbon
The traditional way to make a Manhattan cocktail recipe is with rye whiskey. Rye is drier and spicier than bourbon, and its finish is a nice contrast to the sweet vermouth. Rittenhouse Rye and Bulleit Rye are two brands I recommend.
But personally, I like the sweeter flavor of bourbon for a smoother, more balanced Bourbon Manhattan. Two bourbon brands I recommend for a Manhattan are Elijah Craig Small Batch or Woodford Reserve.
PS: If you love Scotch, try a Manhattan with Scotch whisky: it’s called a Rob Roy!
Why Sweet Vermouth Matters
Vermouth is a fortified wine, meaning that liquor has been added to stabilize it, and it shapes the entire character of a Manhattan. Other types of fortified wines are Port, Sherry, and Madeira. There are two main types of vermouth: sweet (usually red) and dry (usually white).
Sweet vermouth is sweet and spicy, with a hint of bitterness on the finish. It’s used in many classic cocktails, like the Manhattan, Negroni, and Americano. A few bottles I like: Carpano Antica is rich and complex, and Martini Rossi has a “cola-like” flavor with subtle spices. Dolin Rouge is a French-style sweet vermouth with a more subtle flavor.
Store vermouth in the refrigerator, where it will stay good for up to 3 months. You can mix the remaining vermouth in cocktails, or drink it on the rocks as an aperitif (my favorite).
How To Make A Manhattan
Once you’ve gathered all the ingredients, this three-ingredient cocktail takes only a few minutes to make. Use a cocktail mixing glass or the base of a cocktail shaker to mix the cocktail: no shaking required!
- Stir together 2 oz rye whiskey, 1 oz sweet vermouth, and 3 dashes bitters in a cocktail mixing glass. Add ice and stir with a bar spoon for 30 seconds until cold. A cocktail mixing glass is used for “stirred” cocktails that are spirit-forward and served without ice, like the Manhattan and Martini.
- Strain and garnish. Strain the drink into a stemmed cocktail glass and garnish with a Luxardo cherry.
Tips for the Best Manhattan
- Chill your glass first. If you can, throw the glass in the freezer while building the drink. It adds a crisp, cool essence to the drink.
- Taste before you strain. Dip a bar spoon into the cocktail and taste it before it goes into the glass. You can always add a tiny splash more sweet vermouth for a slightly sweeter drink.
- Garnish with a Luxardo. 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. It’s easy to find Luxardo cherries at your local liquor store or get them online.
Variations You’ll Love
There are many popular variations on the Manhattan. Once you’ve made it the classic way, try these spins:
- Bourbon Manhattan: Bourbon makes a sweeter Manhattan with notes of oak and vanilla.
- Brandy Manhattan: A sophisticated spin on the classic with brandy or Cognac.
- Black Manhattan: Uses Italian amaro instead of vermouth for caramel and chocolate notes.
- Rob Roy: Uses Scotch instead of rye whiskey.
- Brooklyn: A unique spin with Maraschino liqueur and bitters.
- Revolver: Uses bourbon and Tia Maria coffee liqueur.
- Martinez: A classic cocktail of gin, sweet vermouth, and Maraschino liqueur.
What to Serve With It
To me, cocktails are meant to mix with appetizers: I usually drink wine with dinner. So here’s what I’d pair with a round of Manhattans when entertaining:
- Aged cheese and charcuterie: Try my ultimate cheese board or antipasto platter
- Holiday dinner appetizers: Try it with my favorite Thanksgiving appetizers or Christmas appetizers
- Dark chocolate: The Manhattan also works as a nightcap; try it alongside a square of chocolate at the end of an evening
Frequently Asked Questions
The traditional Manhattan recipe ratio is 2:1, meaning two parts rye whiskey to one part sweet vermouth, plus 2–3 dashes of Angostura bitters. A perfect Manhattan uses equal parts sweet and dry vermouth (so 2:½:½) for a lighter, more complex profile.
That’s the standard classic Manhattan recipe. The “perfect Manhattan” is the variation that adds dry vermouth alongside the sweet. Made with only sweet vermouth, the drink has a richer, fuller body.
Both are whiskey cocktails with bitters and sweetness. An Old Fashioned uses a sugar cube (or simple syrup) as its sweetener and is usually served over a large ice cube in a rocks glass. The Manhattan uses sweet vermouth instead of sugar and is served straight up into a coupe or cocktail glass.
Manhattan Recipe
Here are the secrets to the best Manhattan cocktail recipe! Make this easy classic cocktail with just three ingredients: rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 ounces* rye whiskey (or bourbon)
- 1 ounce sweet red vermouth
- 3 dashes Angostura or orange bitters
- Luxardo cherry, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine the whiskey, vermouth and bitters in a cocktail mixing glass (or any other type of glass). Fill the mixing glass with 1 handful ice and stir continuously for 30 seconds.
- Strain into a coupe or cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry and serve.
Notes
*To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons
Really enjoyed this one, even without the cherry 🍒
Let us know if you have any questions!