Bourbon Dose

Everyone loves a Manhattan, right? This is an easy recipe for a traditional Manhattan cocktail, made with bourbon and rye. This recipe takes a purely traditional approach, and includes options for variations and ingredient recommendations below.

Everyone loves a Manhattan. The Manhattan is a century-old cocktail that is sophisticated and appropriate for all occasions. Made with rye, sweet vermouth, and bitters, it is a drink that is truly perfect for any occasion. In this blog post, we’ll explore the ingredients you’ll need to make the a Manhattan, as well as some tried-and-true variations.

Cocktail Variations on the Manhattan

While the classic Manhattan recipe is delicious on its own, there are many variations that you can try to give the cocktail a unique twist. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Smoky Manhattan: Try using a smoky whiskey, such as a peated Scotch (get an Islay scotch like Ardbeg if you’re feeling especially smoky) or a mezcal, in your Manhattan. This will give the cocktail a smoky, savory flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of the vermouth.

Black Manhattan: A black Manhattan is made with Averna, a bitter Italian liqueur, instead of the traditional bitters. This gives the cocktail a darker color and a more complex flavor profile.

Perfectly Peach Manhattan: This is perfect for a summer day. For a sweeter twist on the classic recipe, try using peach-flavored whiskey or adding a splash of peach schnapps to your Manhattan. This will give the cocktail a fruity, refreshing flavor that is perfect for warm weather.

Tips, Tricks, and Ingredient Recommendations

Spirits: As with any strong cocktail, the whisky will be the star of the show in a Manhattan, so it’s important to choose a high-quality bourbon that you enjoy drinking on its own. Traditionally, rye whiskey is used in a Manhattan, but you can also use bourbon if you prefer a sweeter flavor. I typically recommend either a Sazerac Rye or Bulleit’s Rye as my spirit here. If you don’t like the spicy flavor of rye, I recommend a bourbon like Buffalo Trace or Eagle Rare.

Sweet Vermouth: Sweet vermouth is a fortified wine that is flavored with herbs and spices. It adds a sweet, slightly bitter flavor to the cocktail. Look for a high-quality sweet vermouth, such as Carpano Antica or Cocchi Vermouth di Torino. If you don’t have these brands, Martini-Rossi sweet vermouth will work just as well.

Bitters: Angostura bitters are the classic choice for a Manhattan, but you can also experiment with other types of bitters, such as orange bitters or chocolate bitters.

Cherries: Maraschino cherries are a traditional garnish for a Manhattan. Look for high-quality cherries that are free from artificial colors and flavors. I always recommend Luxardo cherries for a drink like this.

Use fresh ice: Fresh ice will help to dilute the whiskey without watering it down too much.

Stir, don’t shake: Unlike some other cocktails, a Manhattan should be stirred, not shaken. This prevents the ice in your cocktail from melting and diluting the flavor of your drink.

Experiment with bitters: While Angostura bitters are the classic choice for a Manhattan, you can also try other types of bitters to give the cocktail a unique flavor. I am particularly keen on orange bitters.

Garnish with a twist: If you’re looking for a twist on the traditional cherry garnish, try using a lemon or orange twist instead.