Manhattan
A timeless cocktail with a smooth, boozy backbone from rye whiskey, perfectly balanced by sweet vermouth and a couple of dashes of aromatic bitters. Stirred until ice-cold and strained into a chilled coupe, it's a sophisticated, spirit-forward drink that's all about simplicity and elegance.
For 1 serving
- prep
Chill the coupe glass.
Place the coupe glass in the freezer or fill it with ice water to chill while you prepare the cocktail.
TIPA properly chilled glass keeps the cocktail cold much longer after straining. - mix
Combine ingredients in the mixing glass.
1.Fill the mixing glass about two-thirds full with ice.2.Pour in 60 ml rye whiskey.3.Add 30 ml sweet vermouth.4.Add 2 dashes of aromatic bitters. - mix · ~1 min
Stir until properly chilled and diluted.
Using the bar spoon, stir the mixture smoothly and continuously for about 30 to 40 seconds. The goal is to chill the drink thoroughly while letting a small amount of ice melt for balance.
TIPStir, don't shake — shaking clouds the drink and adds too much dilution for a spirit-forward cocktail like this. - assemble
Strain into the chilled glass.
1.Discard the ice or water from the chilled coupe glass.2.Place the strainer over the mixing glass.3.Strain the cocktail cleanly into the coupe. - garnish
Garnish with a maraschino cherry and serve.
Drop a single maraschino cherry into the glass or skewer it on a cocktail pick and rest it across the rim.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Use large, solid ice cubes for stirring — they melt slower and give better dilution control.
- 2Chill both the mixing glass and the coupe glass beforehand to keep the drink colder longer.
- 3Stir for exactly 30-40 seconds; over-stirring leads to a watery Manhattan, under-stirring leaves it warm.
- 4Rinse the mixing glass with a splash of vermouth before adding ingredients to coat the glass lightly.
- 5For a smoother texture, strain through a fine-mesh strainer in addition to the Hawthorne strainer to catch ice shards.
- 6If you prefer a drier Manhattan, reduce sweet vermouth to 22-25 ml and add an extra dash of bitters.
Adapt it for your goals.
Perfect Manhattan
Replace the sweet vermouth with half sweet and half dry vermouth (15 ml each) for a more complex, less sweet profile.
Bourbon ManhattanBourbon Manhattan
Swap rye whiskey for bourbon — the sweeter, fuller-bodied bourbon creates a rounder, more mellow cocktail.
Black ManhattanBlack Manhattan
Substitute the sweet vermouth with Averna amaro for a bitter-herbal twist that adds depth and a darker color.
Brandy ManhattanBrandy Manhattan
Replace rye with aged brandy or cognac for a fruitier, smoother variation that nods to the cocktail's 19th-century origins.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Low in Sugar (per serving)
With only sweet vermouth and a cherry as sources of sweetness, this cocktail has minimal added sugar compared to many mixed drinks.
No Artificial Ingredients
Made solely from rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, aromatic bitters, and a cherry — natural, unprocessed components.
Moderate Alcohol Content
A standard Manhattan uses 60 ml of spirit, allowing for mindful sipping without excessive alcohol intake.
Traces of Herbal Botanicals
Aromatic bitters and vermouth contribute small amounts of herbs and spices (e.g., gentian, cinnamon, clove) historically used in digestive aids.
Frequently asked questions
Always stir — shaking aerates the cocktail, making it cloudy and adding too much dilution, which ruins the silky texture of a spirit-forward drink.
