A Manhattan is a classic cocktail that was likely invented in the mid-1800s. The origins of the cocktail are debated, but not the recipe. It comprises Rye Whiskey, Sweet Vermouth, and Bitters with a maraschino cherry as a garnish.
The Manhattan, as well as the espresso and lemon drop martini, are our favorite classic cocktails.
The Manhattan is a classic spirit-forward cocktail with a 2 to 1 ratio of Rye Whiskey to Sweet Vermouth.
What you need to make a Manhattan Cocktail
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The ingredients of a Manhattan Cocktail are simple but timeless.
- Rye Whiskey is the main ingredient in a Manhattan Cocktail. It is made from at least 51 percent rye grain and aged in new oak barrels, producing a spicy and fruity whiskey. One can substitute bourbon whiskey for a sweeter and more mellow drink. If the rye whiskey is substituted with scotch whiskey, it makes a Rob Roy cocktail.
- Sweet Vermouth is a fortified wine
- Bitters – Angostura is the bitters traditionally used in this cocktail. It adds herbal notes and a bittersweet twang to the cocktail.
- Garnish – Maraschino Cherries are a classic garnish for this cocktail. To elevate your drinking experience, I would recommend
Cocktail Supplies
How to Make a Manhattan Cocktail
Fill a stemmed cocktail glass with ice. It can be a Nick & Nora or Martini glass. A rocks glass could also be used; however, this drink is served neat, so stemmed glasses are more traditional and elegant.
Add rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters to a cup.
Add ice to the cocktail and stir clockwise with a bar spoon until chilled. For some zing, add pieces of lemon peel to the mixture.
Pour through a cocktail strainer into a freezing-cold cocktail glass.
Garnish with a maraschino cherry on a cocktail pick or lemon twist straight in the glass. I recommend brandied cherries because they taste amazing and are more sophisticated than bright red maraschino cherries! But both options are perfectly fine. A cocktail recipe is just a framework and you can tweak things to fit your preferences.
Manhattan Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Rye Whiskey
- 1 ounce Sweet Vermouth
- 2 dashes Bitters
- Ice
- 1 Maraschino cherry
Instructions
- Chill stemmed cocktail with ice.
- Combine rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters to a glass.
- Fill the glass with ice and stir the mixture with a bar spoon.
- Using a cocktail strainer, pour the cocktail into the chilled glass.
- Garnish the drink with a maraschino cherry on a cocktail pick or a twist of lemon peel.
Nutrition
See you soon,
Kippi
Ps. This post was shared on Between Naps on The Porch.