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Here are the most popular Manhattan variations! Try them all by swapping out rye whiskey for bourbon, Scotch, brandy and more.

Manhattan variations
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Love a good Manhattan? This boozy cocktail goes all the way back to the 1870’s, when it was invented at a club called The Manhattan Club in New York City. The meld of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters quickly became a classic—and it’s stood the test of time! It’s just as sophisticated to sip on a Manhattan today as it was a hundred years ago.

Like any classic, this iconic drink has spawned lots of variations over the years. Here are the most popular Manhattan variations! Each spin on the classic has a unique character and vibe. Some have become popular in their own right like the Rob Roy or Brooklyn, others are a simple swap of the rye whiskey. Scotch, bourbon, brandy, and even an Italian amaro bring new life to this classy drink.

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Black Manhattan (& Popular Variations!)

Manhattan variations
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Try the Black Manhattan cocktail! This recipe swaps in Italian amaro for a drink that’s even more sophisticated—and tasty—than the original. Or, try all the other variations above. 

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • 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

Scale
  • 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) bourbon or rye whiskey
  • 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) Italian amaro, like Averna
  • 1 dash Angostura bitters
  • 1 dash orange bitters
  • For the garnish: Cocktail cherry or Luxardo cherry

Instructions

  1. Combine the whiskey, amaro 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.
  2. Strain into a coupe or cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry and serve.

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More classic cocktail variations

Want to try other spins on the classics outside of these Manhattan variations? Here are a few other cocktails that have inspired variations over the years:

Related: Learn more about the Manhattan vs Old Fashioned!

About the authors

Alex & Sonja

Hi! We’re Alex & Sonja Overhiser, authors of the acclaimed cookbooks A Couple Cooks and Pretty Simple Cooking—and a real life couple who cooks together. We founded the A Couple Cooks website in 2010 to share seasonal recipes and the joy of home cooking. Now, we’ve got over 3,000 well-tested recipes, including Mediterranean diet, vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, smoothies, cocktails, and more!

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