Ingredients
- 2 oz rye whiskey or bourbon (60 ml)
- 1 oz sweet vermouth (30 ml)
- 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 maraschino cherry for garnish
- Ice cubes for stirring
- Optional: orange peel for additional garnish
Instructions
- Chill Your Glass – Place your coupe or martini glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes before making the cocktail. Alternatively, fill it with ice water while you prepare the drink.
- Add Ice to Mixing Glass – Fill your mixing glass about two-thirds full with large ice cubes. Larger cubes are better as they melt more slowly and provide optimal dilution.
- Measure and Pour Whiskey – Using a jigger, measure 2 oz of your chosen whiskey and pour it over the ice in the mixing glass.
- Add Sweet Vermouth – Measure 1 oz of sweet vermouth and add it to the mixing glass with the whiskey.
- Add Bitters – Hold your bitters bottle at an angle and add 2-3 dashes directly into the mixing glass. Two dashes provides classic balance, while three gives a more pronounced bitter note.
- Stir Properly – Insert your bar spoon and stir the mixture smoothly for 20-30 seconds. You should stir in a circular motion, letting the spoon glide along the inside of the glass. The goal is to chill and dilute the cocktail to perfection without aerating it (which is why we stir rather than shake).
- Prepare Your Serving Glass – If you chilled your glass with ice water, discard the water and any ice. Your glass should be frosty cold.
- Strain into Glass – Place your strainer over the mixing glass and carefully strain the cocktail into your chilled serving glass. The drink should have a beautiful amber-red color.
- Garnish – Drop a maraschino cherry directly into the cocktail. For an extra touch of elegance, you can express an orange peel over the drink (squeeze it over the surface to release the oils) and then either discard or add it as additional garnish.
- Serve Immediately – The Manhattan is best enjoyed right away while properly chilled. Sip slowly and savor the layers of flavor.
Notes
Ratio Adjustments: The classic 2:1 ratio of whiskey to vermouth is a great starting point, but feel free to adjust. If you prefer a drier Manhattan, use less vermouth (try 3:4 or 3:1). For a sweeter version, increase the vermouth slightly.
Stirring Time: Proper stirring is crucial. Under-stirred Manhattans taste too strong and alcoholic, while over-stirred ones become watery. Aim for 20-30 seconds of smooth, consistent stirring. The outside of your mixing glass should feel very cold to the touch when it’s ready.
Serving Style: While traditionally served “up” (without ice) in a coupe or martini glass, you can also serve a Manhattan “on the rocks” in a rocks glass over a large ice cube. This keeps it colder longer and provides gradual dilution.
Perfect Manhattan Variation: For a “Perfect Manhattan,” use equal parts sweet and dry vermouth (½ oz of each) instead of 1 oz sweet vermouth. This creates a drier, more complex cocktail.
Dry Manhattan: Use dry vermouth instead of sweet vermouth, and garnish with a lemon twist instead of a cherry.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Cocktail, Drinks
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cocktail (approximately 3.5 oz)
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg