The Manhattan cocktail doesn’t need a spotlight… it is the spotlight. This is the drink you order when you want to keep it classic but still make a statement. Rich, smooth and a little serious, it leans in like it knows something you don’t.
It’s got this deep amber glow that feels like low lighting and late-night stories. One sip and it slows everything down in the best way. Whiskey does the heavy lifting, vermouth rounds it out and bitters bring just enough edge to keep things sharp.
This is the kind of cocktail that makes you want to change into something with buttons. Or at least sit at the table like you meant to all along.
What It Is and Where It Comes From
The Manhattan is one of those cocktails that’s been around forever and still feels cool. It’s a simple mix: whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters, but the flavor hits deep.
Bold and smooth at the same time… kinda like that friend who’s quiet until they say something that stops the room.
Most people say it was born in New York sometime in the late 1800s, probably in a fancy bar where people wore real shoes and said things like ‘shall we’. The recipe’s barely changed since then, which says a lot. When something works, you don’t mess with it.
What makes the Manhattan stand out is how it feels. It’s strong without being messy. A little sweet without losing its edge. You drink one and suddenly it’s like the night just got a little more interesting.
Tips to Make The Manhattan at Home
The Manhattan looks fancy but it’s one of the easiest cocktails to pull off. A few simple moves and you’re sipping something that feels way more impressive than the effort it took.
- Pick a good whiskey: Go with rye for spice or bourbon for smoothness, just make sure it’s one you’d actually sip on its own.
- Stir it not shake it: Shaking makes it cloudy so stir gently with ice to keep it cold and clean.
- Use fresh vermouth: Keep your vermouth in the fridge and swap it out every few weeks to keep the flavor right.
- Don’t skip the garnish: A cherry or orange twist finishes the drink and adds that little extra hit of flavor.
- Chill the glass: A quick chill makes the drink feel polished and keeps it cold from first sip to last.
What to Eat With a Manhattan Cocktail
The Manhattan isn’t your grab-a-bag-of-chips kind of cocktail. It’s bold rich and meant to roll with flavors that can hold their own. Think salty fatty or just plain classic.
Charcuterie board: Go for salty meats sharp cheeses and pickles to balance out the Manhattan’s sweetness.
Steak or a good burger: The whiskey cuts through richness and brings out all the bold grilled flavors.
Dark chocolate: Use something 70 percent or darker to match the deep notes in the drink without overpowering it.
Spiced nuts or roasted almonds: Simple salty snacks that bring out the smooth and sweet side of the cocktail.
Mushroom risotto or roasted veggies: Earthy flavors play well with the vermouth and keep things grounded but still interesting.
The Quintessential Manhattan Cocktail
This classic Manhattan cocktail is a delightful mix of whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. The result is a drink that’s smooth, slightly sweet, and aromatic, with a warm, comforting finish that lingers on the palate.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Rye Whiskey or Bourbon (or Scotch)
- 1 oz sweet Vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Ice cubes
- Maraschino cherry or orange peel for garnish
Zero-proof version: Use a non-alcoholic whiskey alternative and a zero-proof vermouth or spiced tea blend with bitters to keep the flavor and skip the buzz.
Instructions
- Chill the Glass: Begin by chilling a cocktail glass by placing it in the freezer or filling it with ice water for a few minutes.
- Mix the Ingredients: In a mixing glass, combine the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters. Fill the mixing glass with ice cubes.
- Stir: Stir the mixture gently for about 30 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain: Discard the ice from the cocktail glass and strain the mixture into the chilled glass.
- Garnish: Finish off with a maraschino cherry or a twist of orange peel for garnish.
Prep Times
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
Nutrition Information
- Servings: 1 cocktail
- Calories: 167 kcal
- Fat: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
Manhattan Cocktail Variations
The classic Manhattan’s got range and it doesn’t take much to switch up the vibe. Here are a few easy twists that still feel true to the original.
Perfect Manhattan: Use half sweet vermouth and half dry vermouth for a lighter more balanced flavor.
Black Manhattan: Swap out the vermouth for amaro like Averna for a darker richer version with a hint of spice.
Rob Roy: Use Scotch instead of rye or bourbon to give it a smoky edge that hits different.
Smoked Manhattan: Stir the drink as usual then smoke the glass before pouring if you’re feeling dramatic.
Need inspiration for some other cocktails that use vermouth? Why not try a Negroni or a classic Martini?
To pin for later:
Manhattan Cocktail
Try this timeless Manhattan cocktail recipe. Mix the perfect balance of whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters for a drink that’s sophisticated yet simple.
Ingredients
- 60 ml Rye Whiskey or Bourbon (or Scotch)
- 30 ml ounce sweet Vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Ice cubes
- Maraschino cherry or orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill the Glass: Begin by chilling a cocktail glass by placing it in the freezer or filling it with ice water for a few minutes.
- Mix the Ingredients: In a mixing glass, combine the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters. Fill the mixing glass with ice cubes.
- Stir: Stir the mixture gently for about 30 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain: Discard the ice from the cocktail glass and strain the mixture into the chilled glass.
- Garnish: Finish off with a maraschino cherry or a twist of orange peel for garnish.
Notes
For a non-alcoholic version: Use a non-alcoholic whiskey alternative and a zero-proof vermouth or spiced tea blend with bitters to keep the flavor and skip the buzz.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 167Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 5mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 0g
This nutrition information was automatically calculated by Nutritionix, but may not be 100% accurate.
