Swapping whiskey for brandy transforms the classic Manhattan into the Brandy Manhattan, a smooth, fruit-forward cocktail with a rich, velvety depth of flavors. Sweet vermouth and bitters balance the bold spirit, while the aromas of zesty orange and juicy cherry brighten each sip. Savor this refined twist on a timeless favorite.
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About this Brandy Manhattan recipe
Mixing up twists on classic cocktails brings me so much joy, and this absolutely perfect Brandy Manhattan is one of my recent favorites. If you enjoy experimenting with timeless cocktails too, this one deserves a spot in your rotation!
Brandy is a fruit-based spirit is made by fermenting fruit juices or wine. It is typically enjoyed as an after-dinner digestif, but it can be enjoyed in cocktails as well, such as the Sidecar and Brandy Alexander. Cognac is the specialty type of brandy that is most commonly used in cocktails.
It is also interchangeable with whiskey in a variety of cocktails, like the old-fashioned or holiday eggnog. But in all of these, brandy is just a supporting actor.
However, brandy can also be the star of the show, like it is in this spirit-forward Brandy Manhattan. Brandy brings a smooth, slightly fruity richness to the classic Manhattan, softening the edges of the bold, spirit-forward cocktail while adding a touch of elegance.
More brandy cocktail recipes: Classic Sidecar • Classic Champagne Cocktail • Milk Punch
Why you’ll love this recipe
- A Brandy Manhattan is a delicious twist on the traditional Manhattan.
- It’s an easy drink that anyone can make.
- The recipe is very customizable with different types of brandy.
What is a Manhattan cocktail?
The classic Manhattan cocktail is made with whiskey, sweet vermouth and a dash of bitters. The whiskey of choice is usually rye or bourbon, but it can also be made with brandy.
Stirred with ice, it’s served either straight up in a coupe or cocktail glass or over ice in a rocks glass, and it’s often garnished with a maraschino cherry or a twist of orange peel.
Tools & glassware
You don’t need much to make the Brandy Manhattan cocktail. A mixing glass and a bar spoon are the basics needed — not a cocktail shaker. (However, I’ve been known to use a shaker as a mixing glass now and then.) Plus some ice cubes to chill the mixture.
Manhattans are usually served two ways:
- neat, meaning without ice, in a coupe glass or cocktail glass
- on the rocks, or with ice, in a rocks glass.
To make an orange peel garnish, you’ll want a vegetable peeler, and you may want cocktail picks for the cocktail cherries.
favorite coupe glasses
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Buy Now → Ingredients
The Brandy Manhattan is pretty simple when it comes to ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to grab at the grocery store to make this recipe:
- brandy or cognac: This aged spirit is sweet and fruity. Cognac is aged a bit longer than brandy, so its flavor is a bit more complex, which is why it’s the top choice for this cocktail, but you can use either here.
- sweet Italian vermouth: Also called red vermouth, this fortified wine has a sweet flavor that complements the whiskey.
- aromatic bitters: Angostura bitters are the most well-known brand, but any kind of bitters will add some delicious flavor.
Garnishes
Garnish a Manhattan with an orange twist or a cherry for a classic finishing touch. Use a vegetable peeler or bartender’s knife to slice a strip of orange peel, avoiding as much white pith as possible for a cleaner flavor.
When it comes to cherries, skip the bright red maraschino ones and opt for cocktail cherries, which offer a richer, more natural taste and color. Luxardo cherries are my top pick, but you can even make your own!
favorite cocktail cherries
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Buy Now → Best brandy for a Manhattan
The best brandy for a Manhattan is Cognac, a specific type of aged French brandy that is made from distilled white wine and aged in French oak barrels. However, you can also use Calvados (French apple brandy) or Armagnac (rustic French brandy). American brandy tends to be fruitier and less oaky than Cognac or Armagnac — it’s a smooth and approachable alternative.
Smoother and more complex, the French say it’s made from l’eau de vie AKA “the water of life.” As such, it’s a protected type of brandy and must follow certain requirements to bear the name “cognac” on the label.
Brandy has different designations for the age of the brandy used in the bottle. V.S. (which means “very special”) and V.S.O.P. (which means “very superior old pale”) are aged for two and four years respectively, and both are good choices for cocktail mixing. Any older and the price tag goes up.
My advice is always to use the best brandy you can afford. In fact, that’s my go-to advice for any cocktail! However, you might want to save the really expensive stuff to sip on in a brandy snifter for an intense after-dinner conversation.
Substitutions & variations
Try the classic: You can make this same recipe with whiskey instead of brandy, or try half-and-half brandy and whiskey. Rye and bourbon are the most common whiskeys to try.
Use a flavored brandy: Brandy can be made with different fruits or be infused. My plum-infused brandy offers a delicious and fruity spin.
Instructions
Let’s make a Manhattan with brandy! It’s super simple to do!
First, combine the brandy and the red vermouth in a mixing glass. (If you don’t have one, you can stir them together in any glass, and even a cocktail shaker, though resist the urge to shake up this one!)
Add a few ice cubes and stir gently. Strain it into a cocktail glass or coupe glass, neat (without ice) or into a rocks glass filled with ice or a large clear ice cube.
Add a few drops of Angostura bitters, then garnish with cocktail cherries and/or a piece of orange zest.
storing vermouth
An opened bottle of vermouth should be stored in the fridge. It will taste best if enjoyed within a month, but will still taste okay for up to two months. After that, it’s time to toss it and open a new bottle of vermouth.
Tips & tricks
- Stir — don’t shake — your Manhattans! These spirit-forward cocktails will get too diluted if shaken, so stir gently instead.
- Sample the Manhattan with both bourbon and brandy to see how this simple cocktail changes. Which one is your favorite?!
- Try out different kinds of bitters to enhance the flavor. Orange and cinnamon bitters would both be delicious.
Food pairings
Manhattans can be quite sweet, especially when made with brandy, so they go well with salty and cheesy foods. A simple cheese and charcuterie board is the ultimate classy snack to match the elegance of the Manhattan. Sweet-and-salty treats like cranberry brie bites are great too.
For dessert, enjoy this nightcap with a brandy-infused dessert like tiramisu trifle or black forest cake.
FAQ
Definitely! Brandy is a lovely, sweet substitute for bourbon or rye whiskey. It’s softer, fruitier and just as delicious.
Absolutely. Just multiply the ingredients and combine them. Store the mixture in the fridge until ready to serve. Pour into glasses (neat in coupe glasses or on the rocks in old-fashioned glasses) and top with a dash of bitters, a cherry and/or an orange peel just before serving.
More brandy drinks
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Brandy Manhattan
ingredients
- 2½ ounces brandy
- ½ ounce sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 cocktail cherry for garnish
- 1 piece orange zest for garnish
instructions
- In a mixing glass filled with ice, combine brandy and sweet vermouth.
- Use a bar spoon to gently stir the mixture until chilled.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Add bitters over top.
- Garnish with a piece of orange zest and a cocktail cherry.
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