Manhattan Recipe

About the Manhattan

The Manhattan cocktail is simple, elegant and sophisticated. Included on the IBA (International Bartender Association) list of official cocktails, it's a true classic, right up there with other favorites like the Old Fashioned, Negroni and Martini. Since its creation, the Manhattan has has remained a favorite among bartenders around the world. But while the classic recipe is still beloved, the drink has spurred many popular variations that have attained their own following and fame.What's in a Manhattan Cocktail?The Manhattan recipe calls for three ingredients—whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters—plus a garnish.For the best Manhattan cocktails, we like using a good rye whiskey, but many drinkers use bourbon or other types of whiskey. Feel free to experiment with your favorite brands, and take note of the nuances each plays in creating the drink's overall flavor profile. Some folks prefer the sweeter flavor of bourbon, while others like the spicier flavor of rye. Both spirits make great drinks.When choosing your sweet vermouth, reach for a top-quality bottle, such as Noilly Prat Rouge, Carpano Antica, or Dolin Rouge, to bring additional depth to the cocktail. The classic Manhattan recipe also calls for two to three dashes of Angostura bitters, which lend balance and complexity.As for the garnish, most people opt for a cherry (or occasionally an orange peel), but stay away from the bright, fluorescent options commonly found on top of sundaes. Instead, choose a gourmet offering, like a jar of Luxardo cherries. They're more expensive, but they're worth it, turning the garnish into a delicious treat that complements the total package, rather than a simple afterthought.Manhattan VariationsPopular variations of the Manhattan cocktail include the Rob Roy, which uses scotch instead of American whiskey, the Perfect Manhattan, which uses equal parts sweet and dry vermouth, and the Brandy Manhattan, which substitutes brandy for whiskey.Still other recipe variations include a host of New York-named drinks, like the Red Hook and the Brooklyn, which are classics in their own right. Both call for a dash of maraschino liqueur, while the latter uses dry vermouth instead of sweet vermouth. The Manhattan template is ripe for experimentation, so you're likely to find a unique spin on the classic recipe on bar menus all over the world.How to make a Manhattan CocktailThe classic Manhattan cocktail is a stirred drink that's traditionally served up. Add two ounces of whiskey, one ounce of sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters to a mixing glass with fresh ice, and stir until the liquids are properly chilled. Then strain the contents into a pre-chilled cocktail glass (a coupe glass or Nick and Nora glass will also work nicely here), and finally garnish with a maraschino cherry.Note the drink is stirred, not shaken. Shaking a Manhattan introduces too much dilution into the cocktail and also affects the drink's texture, creating little ice shards that ruin the silky smooth aesthetic. So put the cocktail shaker away, and instead grab a bar spoon and mixing glass.Who invented the Manhattan Cocktail?The Manhattan cocktail traces its roots to the late 19th century and was likely invented in New York City, hence the name. The famed Manhattan Club claims that it created the first Manhattan, and this may be true. One reports says that it was stirred into creation at a party for Lady Randolph Churchill (Winston Churchill's mother) in 1874, but research by cocktail historian David Wondrich seems to disprove the story. More likely, the Manhattan as we know it came about sometime in the 1860s or 1870s. It's easy to imagine the cocktail popping up at multiple places during this period, as whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters were all popular and readily available.Regardless of when it was first concocted, this is one of the most legendary whiskey cocktails in the world. Try one today and see why, 150 years after its creation, it's just as popular as ever.