Classic Manhattan Cocktail Recipe (2024)

With a rich history and the perfect combination of ingredients, the Classic Manhattan Cocktail is as perfect today as it was in years past.

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I was sent a couple of gorgeous glasses from my cousin who had split up items from my Aunt Eddie and Aunt Patsy’s estate. Sadly one of them was broken in transit so of course I wanted it more than ever. I had the urge to make a Classic Manhattan Cocktail Recipe and knew I needed a champagne coupe to represent how it was classically made.

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The perfect opportunity was at hand to feature this storied cocktail during a ‘Mad Men’ party a group of bloggers decided to throw to commemorate the final season of the television show that so many are hooked on. I wanted to make a traditional cocktail of the era and I wanted it in the right glass, doggone it! Nothing else would do for serving this Classic Manhattan!

I searched high and low; I went online and found some by Kate Spade, she of the overpriced designer category, and others by Waterford, still overpriced but a name that I would more proudly attribute to my stemware. I finally found the perfect reasonably priced glasses by Libbey (remember, I just wanted them for a couple of photos) but I was not interested in an entire case. Drat!!

I was definitely a woman on a mission so I called YaYa’s in the Denver Tech Center, my favorite restaurant, hoping they had some on their shelves that I could borrow. Turns out the manager did one better! When I talked to Scott, he said they didn’t have any in the restaurant but he thought he had some at home packed away.

Scott offered to check and let me know. The following morning his email was like a gift, he had found his cache and would drop off a package at YaYa’s for me to pickup. Tell me, how many restaurant managers will do that for you? YaYa’s will always fix mussels the way I like them no matter what the current menu offering is and I love them for that but this was over and beyond.

Many thanks Scott. What? I can keep the glasses too? All FOUR of them? I already thought you the best and now my readers know why…I LOVE these glasses!

This Classic Manhattan Cocktail is an elegant cocktail with a rich history; some of it fabricated to lend more glory to its name but all leading to it originating in Manhattan, one of the five Burroughs of New York City. By all accounts it originated in the later part of the 19th century and has seen a resurgence often attributed to the popularity of ‘Mad Men‘ – the television show chronicles the lives and social mores of the 1960′s in America.

I’ll be honest. I didn’t expect to be a fan. Let’s just say that my parents both enjoyed a Manhattan. They were a part of that 60′s generation that drank too much and partied too hard; there were affairs and a divorce and in a real soap opera twist; a re-marriage. By them. To each other.

Watching that play out on the small screen hit a bit too close to home so I kept my distance from the show for the first couple of years until a friend insisted I do a marathon with her and doggone it; I was hooked. Truth is I had also kept my distance from a Manhattan all these many years for many of the same reasons and that was another error in judgement on my part.

This is no lightweight drink. Recognizing that my taste in wine has segued from Boone’s Farm to a nice Cabernet over the years, I’m quite certain that if someone had introduced me to this cocktail those many years ago; it would have been received less than favorably. This is booze, pure and simple.

Despite some controversy over where it began, one area without controversy is the continued popularity of the drink. It is still considered one of the finest cocktails ever conceived and on every bar’s list of best cocktails.

Classic Manhattan Cocktail Recipe (3)

Purists (who are these people anyhow?!!) presume that the only way to create a Manhattan is with Rye Whiskey, Sweet Vermouth and Bitters but there are those who cry sacrilege if not using Dry Vermouth. Most concede that Rye Whiskey is the liquor of choice and I love Templeton Rye but bartender choices run the gamut from Bourbon to Rye to Canadian Whiskey.

For me it has to be Rye but I’m more forgiving with the Vermouth depending on tastes, personally preferring Sweet Vermouth. Bitters are seeing a huge boon in popularity right now and the choices are endless but this is a Manhattan and Angostura bitters are a must. Sometimes something is so good that you simply don’t mess with that success!

When I originally posted about this Classic Manhattan Cocktail; it was in conjunction with a bunch of blogging friends who were verklempt over the ending of the Mad Men television series. I had originally created a post with both a cocktail and an appetizer; never again. Hard to find one if the focus is on the other; so here’s the delicious Mushroom and Walnut Pate recipe!

While this reboot had me clean up some of the focus on that event from a couple of years ago; I would be remiss to remove these recipes…a great collection of food and drink from that era.

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Classic Manhattan Cocktail Recipe (6)

Barb

This is an American Classis; the Manhattan is simply and elegant and perfect for your most adult get togethers.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Whiskey

Servings 2 Cocktails

Calories 228 kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 oz rye whiskey
  • 1 oz sweet vermouth
  • 4-6 dashes Angostura bitters
  • Maraschino cherries for garnish I’ve used my own version which are a combination of sour cherries and Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur

Instructions

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Classic Manhattan Cocktail

Serving Size

1 grams

Amount per Serving

Calories

228

% Daily Value*

Fat

2

g

3

%

Sodium

344

mg

15

%

Carbohydrates

31

g

10

%

Protein

5

g

10

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Calories

228

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Classic Manhattan Cocktail Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a traditional Manhattan drink made of? ›

The Manhattan has managed to remain one of the most popular cocktails in the world for well over a century. A combination of whiskey, sweet vermouth, bitters, and a maraschino cherry garnish, this drink embodies the classic, spirit-forward, and aromatic school of cocktails.

What is a perfect Manhattan made of? ›

The perfect Manhattan is indeed a great cocktail, though the name doesn't refer to its perfection. Instead, it adds dry vermouth to the classic Manhattan's trio of whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. It makes a delightful dinner drink, whether you enjoy it before, during, or after the meal.

How many dashes of bitters in a Manhattan? ›

The general guideline is two parts whiskey to one part vermouth with two to three dashes of bitters.

What bitters and vermouth are best for Manhattans? ›

Vermouth Routin Rouge

Slightly fuller-bodied than other vermouths, it lends the Manhattan a plush, velvety texture. Meanwhile, its confectionery character riffs wonderfully against the spiced Angostura bitters.

What is in a Manhattan vs Old Fashioned? ›

Both cocktails call for whisky and Angostura bitters, but the defining factor lies in their sweetening agents. The Old Fashioned opts for straightforward sugar or syrup, helping to soften the whisky. In contrast the Manhattan favours a sweet vermouth – adding fruity and caramel flavours into the mix.

Should a Manhattan be made with bourbon or rye? ›

Ultimately, choosing either American Rye or Bourbon for your Manhattan is purely up to preference. Some believe that using a bourbon adds too much sweetness to their cocktail, while others who choose bourbon use one similar to New Riff'sRiff's Kentucky Straight Bourbon as they are high in rye for flavor balance.

What is the difference between a classic Manhattan and a Perfect Manhattan? ›

But he explained to us that a classic Manhattan was made with sweet vermouth and a perfect Manhattan is made with part sweet and part dry vermouth and we said “sure why not” and there's never been another Manhattan for us since. It's not sweet but balanced.

What is a typical Manhattan? ›

2 parts whiskey. 1 part sweet vermouth. 1 to 2 dashes bitters, such as Angostura. Orange peel.

What is technically Manhattan? ›

Manhattan (/mænˈhætən, mən-/) is the most densely populated and geographically smallest of the five boroughs of New York City. The borough is coextensive with New York County, the smallest county by geographical area in the U.S. state of New York.

What bourbon is best for a Manhattan? ›

What Kind of Bourbon Suits the Manhattan Best?
  • Old Forester 100 (Normal Bourbon) This was the choice that yielded the Manhattan so typical of times prior to the mixology boom and the revival of rye whiskey. ...
  • Booker's (Cask Strength) ...
  • Maker's Mark (Wheated)

What is the best alcohol for a Manhattan? ›

Alberta Premium, Crown Royal, and Pendleton are all excellent choices, too. If rye is too spicy for your taste, consider a high-rye bourbon, which tempers the sweetness of the corn-based spirit.

Is a Manhattan good without bitters? ›

Aromatic bitters have long been the preferred accent for the Manhattan and it should be considered a required ingredient. Since we use just a few dashes at a time, it can be easy to forget their importance. However, they are the finishing touch that brings cocktails like the Manhattan into perfect balance.

Should I use dry or sweet vermouth in a Manhattan? ›

A "Perfect" Manhattan is a Manhattan that is made with both sweet and dry vermouth. This isn't to suggest that a traditional Manhattan is imperfect - though I suppose given the terminology that would be technically correct - rather, it's just two another way of making the same drink, like a dirty or dry Martini.

Can you substitute dry vermouth for sweet vermouth in a Manhattan? ›

The standard Manhattan recipe is 2 oz of Rye Whisky, 3/4 oz of sweet/italian vermouth, and one or two dashes of angostura bitters. As with most cocktails, there are variations on the base recipe. Replace the sweet vermouth with dry/french vermouth and add maraschino liqueur, and you have the Brooklyn cocktail.

What are the best cherries for a Manhattan? ›

Look for Luxardo Marasca Cherries, which are imported from Italy in a thick cherry syrup. American maraschinos are drained of all color and flavor, and then pumped with artificial replacements.

What's the difference between a black Manhattan and a regular Manhattan? ›

The Black Manhattan was created in 2005 at San Francisco bar Bourbon & Branch by bartender Todd Smith. It's a simple variation on the classic Manhattan, with bittersweet Averna amaro replacing the sweet vermouth and with a second type of bitters added.

What is the difference between a Manhattan and a perfect Manhattan? ›

The basic manhattan uses sweet vermouth (“sweet manhattan”), there is a variation of the standard manhttan using dry vermouth (“dry manhattan”) and another variation uses both dry and sweet vermouth (“perfect manhattan”).

References

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