Manhattan Recipe

April 20, 2022

Categories: Classic Cocktail Recipes, Cocktail Recipes, Rye Cocktail Recipes, Whiskey Cocktail Recipes

A Manhattan cocktail.

Manhattan

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Another classic from the pre-prohibition era of cocktails, the Manhattan has been around since the late 1800's. As with other simple Whiskey cocktails, don't worry about those who say you're ruining perfectly good Rye. Use this cocktail as a way to enjoy Rye even more.
If you enjoy a Martini, this drink may be a good way to get into Whiskey as well. It has a similar idea behind it and, of course, the Vermouth takes the edge off. If you found this cocktail by searching by ingredient, you're good, but if you stumbled upon this cocktail recipe, you may not have Orange Bitters on hand, as it's slightly less standard. Don't be tempted to skip this important ingredient! It really makes the drink. Feel free to try to mix the drink without Orange Bitters, but then try it again and see the different.
For those who don't usually enjoy Whiskey, the Manhattan may be a good introduction. The Sweet Vermouth softens the Whiskey somewhat while also opening it up. All in all, this is an enjoyable drink.
Total Time 3 minutes
Servings 1 cocktail

Ingredients

  • 60 mL Rye Whiskey try Bourbon too.
  • 30 mL Sweet Vermouth
  • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
  • 1 dash Orange Bitters
  • Garnish with lemon twist or cherry (optional)

Instructions

  • Add Rye, Sweet Vermouth, and both Bitters to a mixing glass with plenty of ice. Stir until the drink is cold.
  • Strain into a chilled Coupe glass.
  • Garnish, serve, and enjoy.

Notes

Make sure to use a good Rye in this cocktail. The drink is mostly just Rye, so you want to enjoy it. Your cocktail will only be as good as the ingredients you use, so use good ingredients.
On ingredients, make sure you have some Orange Bitters. If you're new to starting a home bar, you may not have Orange Bitters on hand, but go out and buy some. Orange Bitters appears in more than a few cocktails and it will be good to have when you need it. Orange Bitters really adds an extra something to a Manhattan and a lot of other cocktails. It's well worth buying.

Our Review of the Manhattan

Oh yes, the Manhattan. It’s up there with the greats. So simple, yet so good. It’s hard to have just one…

Never tried a Manhattan? There’s something wrong with you. There, I’ve said it. But I’m only kidding. Like so many older cocktail recipes, the Manhattan serves as a great way to introduce people to the art of making cocktails and the simple joy of drinking them. We all have to start somewhere, right?

You’re probably here because you had some Rye, Sweet Vermouth, and Bitters, and wanted to see what cocktail you can make. Well, make a Manhattan because you’ll be sure to love it.

Rye Whiskey has some subtle spiciness to it, which pairs well with the sweeter flavours of the Vermouth. You’re basically having a sweet Whiskey here. For the beginners, the Bitters act kind of like salt. Sure, a Manhattan would taste fine without the Bitters, but everything is enhanced with it. By deconstructing the cocktail recipe like this, you can start to appreciate it. But I’m talking to newbies here!

A little sugar, a little spice, and everything else nice. That makes a great cocktail recipe in my mind. The Manhattan is nice and smooth with a bit of thickness to it for wonderful mouth feel. There’s just so much to enjoy about a well made Manhattan.

Go ahead and get yourself a good bottle of Rye, put your feet up, and relax with a cocktail like this.

9.5/10

  • Review by Bobby

We have plenty more cocktail recipes featuring Rye or Whiskey

If you liked your Manhattan but just want to try something different, we have more than enough cocktail recipes to go around. Take a look below:

Top 10 Whiskey cocktail recipes: the Manhattan is one of the best Whiskey cocktails out there. Check out some of the other greats of Whiskey.

Top 20 classic cocktail recipes: the Manhattan is also a classic. If you’re into classic cocktails, we have a great list of some of our favourite classic cocktail recipes.

All Whiskey cocktail recipes: still looking for more? Just take a look through all of our Whiskey cocktail recipes. We have plenty to share.

All Rye cocktail recipes: if you just want to stick to Rye (instead of all Whiskeys), feel free to check out all of our cocktail recipes featuring Rye.

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