Manhattan
The quintessential whiskey cocktail—rye, vermouth and bitters in perfect harmony—serving as the template for a whole family of spirit-forward drinks.
32%
ABV
easy
Difficulty
coupe
Glass
Flavor Profile
History & Heritage
“Likely conceived at New York's Manhattan Club in the early 1870s, the drink showcased vermouth's arrival in American mixology. While tales of Jennie Jerome commissioning it are apocryphal, by the 1880s the Manhattan was cemented as a barroom staple whose whiskey‑and‑vermouth blueprint inspired countless relatives like the Brooklyn and Rob Roy.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Chill a coupe or Nick & Nora glass
Combine rye, vermouth and bitters in a mixing glass with ice
Stir 20–30 seconds until icy cold and properly diluted
Strain into the chilled glass
Garnish with a brandied cherry
Glassware
Served up in a chilled coupe glass
Garnish
High-quality brandied cherry on a cocktail pick
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use rye for a peppery backbone or bourbon for a softer style
Chill the serving glass for maximum snap
Employ fresh, well-kept vermouth and measure bitters carefully
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
out of 10
Sour
out of 10
Bitter
out of 10
Strong
out of 10
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Manhattan.
Bourbon Manhattan
Substitutes bourbon for rye, yielding a rounder, sweeter profile.
Changes
Perfect Manhattan
Splits the vermouth between sweet and dry; finished with a lemon twist.
Changes
Rob Roy
Uses Scotch whisky in place of rye for a smoky, malty twist.
Changes
Brooklyn
Dry vermouth with maraschino and amaro creates a bittersweet cousin.
Changes
Black Manhattan
Replaces vermouth with amaro for a bittersweet, brooding profile.
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Vieux Carré
Walter Bergeron's New Orleans classic blends rye, cognac, sweet vermouth and Bénédictine with dual bitters for a silky, spirit-forward sipper.
Boulevardier
A whiskey-laced cousin of the Negroni that blends bold American bourbon with bitter Campari and sweet vermouth for a warming, ruby-hued sipper.
Hanky Panky
Ada Coleman's famous Savoy creation blending gin, sweet vermouth, and a hint of Fernet-Branca.