Manhattan Cocktail
The classic Manhattan delivers a smooth, bold blend of whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters, perfect for savoring as a timeless evening cocktail or elevating any special occasion.
Servings 1 cocktail
Calories 193kcal
Ingredients
- 2 ½ ounces bourbon whiskey or rye whiskey
- ½ ounce sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- ice cubes
- 1 cocktail cherry for garnish
- 1 piece orange peel for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Add bourbon, vermouth and bitters to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously.
- Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry and, if desired, an orange twist.
Notes
Shake or stir? Stir — don’t shake — your Manhattans! These spirit-forward cocktails will get too diluted if shaken, so stir gently instead.
Vermouth storage: Always store open bottles of vermouth (dry or sweet) in the fridge! They last about one month once open.
Best whiskey: The Manhattan can be made with both bourbon and rye whiskey. Try both to see how this simple cocktail changes! Bourbon is a popular choice because it has a smoothness and sweetness, but rye’s bold, zesty character makes the Manhattan punchier.
Favorite whiskeys: For bourbon, I usually keep Woodford Reserve, Old Forester and/or Angel’s Envy at home. For rye, I love Knob Creek, Buffalo Trace and Bulleit and usually have at least one around!
Variations:
- Rob Roy cocktail: If you make this drink with Scotch whisky instead, it goes by another name — the Rob Roy!
- Dry Manhattan: With dry vermouth (white) instead of sweet (red), the drink will be less sweet with a crisp, slightly herbal flavor.
- Perfect Manhattan: This one is a cross between the classic and the dry, using half dry vermouth and half sweet vermouth.
Nutrition
Serving: 2ounces | Calories: 193kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 0.02g | Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 13mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.1mg
