Manhattan glass cocktail recipeI have some vermouth left from my Negroni cocktail experiments and looked for other cocktail recipes to use it in. I found the best recipe for a Manhattan cocktail, and I have all the ingredients on hand.  The Manhattan cocktail is a mix of rye whiskey and sweet vermouth looked perfect. So let’s explore.

As with so many cocktails, the origin of the Manhattan recipe is a bit murky. One claim was that Iain Marshal created the drink at the Manhattan Club in New York City in the mid-1870s. It was supposedly for a dinner party hosted by Lady Randolph Churchill.

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According to claims, the party and the drinks were so fashionable that people started to request the cocktail by referring to the name of the club where it originated. However, Lady Randolph was not in the USA then, so probably not true. 

A recipe with a similar combination of ingredients was included in the 1884 book The Modern Bartender’s Guide by O.H. Byron. There are also other references to comparable recipes in cocktail books from this time.

These cocktail recipes had the basic whiskey and vermouth ingredients but added other elements such as absinth. As taste changed and evolved, the formula became standardised to the version we see today. 

Manhattan ingredients

Rye whiskey: Rye whiskey is traditionally used to make a Manhattan cocktail. Rye whiskey has a spicier flavour than bourbon. My favourite rye releases for a Manhattan cocktail include the Pikesville and Michters Rye whiskey. You want to use a rye whiskey that is a bit more spice-forward to ensure you get a good balance between the spices and the sweet vermouth. But whichever rye you have available will work.

Sweet vermouth: Vermouth is a fortified wine infused with botanicals. There are two main types of vermouth: sweet (usually red) and dry (typically white). Sweet vermouth has sweetness and herbal notes with a hint of bitterness in the finish.

Angostura bitters: The most versatile item in my cocktail cupboard. Angostura bitters are used in cocktails to add a complex and bitter undertone.

Cocktail cherry: The traditional garnish for a Manhattan cocktail is a Luxardo cherry. Luxardo cherries are a dark red, nearly black cocktail cherry. If you can’t find any, a Maraschino cherry would also work. 

Manhattan cocktail recipe 2

Manhattan Variations

There are many popular variations on the Manhattan theme.

  • Bourbon Manhattan: Use bourbon for a sweeter version of the Manhattan with notes of oak and vanilla.
  • Brandy Manhattan: A stylish spin on the classic cocktail recipe using brandy or Cognac.
  • Rob Roy: Using Scottish whisky instead of rye whiskey. I have also used Islay whisky for a smokier version.
  • Perfect Manhattan: This twist on the classic Manhattan recipe involves using a 50/50 blend of sweet vermouth and dry vermouth instead of the sweet vermouth only.
  • Dry Manhattan: In this variant, dry vermouth completely replaces the traditional sweet vermouth.

But regardless of all the options, there is only one classic Manhattan cocktail recipe: two parts whiskey, one part sweet vermouth and bitters. 

Recipe for a Manhattan Cocktail

Manhattan cocktail makeIngredients

  • 2 ounces rye whiskey
  • 1 ounce sweet vermouth
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  • Ice
  • Cocktail cherry as garnish

Method

Add the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters into a mixing glass.
Add ice and stir with a bar spoon until cold.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Garnish with a cocktail cherry.

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