Manhattan recipe
The Manhattan is rye or bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters, stirred cold and served up. It is one of the best known whiskey cocktails.
- Spirit: Rye or bourbon
- Glass: Coupe or cocktail glass
- Garnish: Brandied cherry
- Makes: 1 drink
Ingredients
- 2 oz Rye or bourbon whiskey
- 1 oz Sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 Brandied cherry, for garnish
Method
- Chill a coupe or cocktail glass with ice water.
- Add the whiskey, vermouth, and bitters to a mixing glass. Fill it with ice.
- Stir for 30 seconds, until the outside of the glass is cold.
- Empty the coupe. Strain the drink into it.
- Drop in a cherry.
Tips
- Stir a Manhattan. Shaking makes it cloudy.
- Keep opened vermouth in the fridge. It goes flat on a shelf.
Bourbon or rye Manhattan?
A Manhattan works with rye or bourbon. Classic recipes lean rye for a drier, spicier drink. Bourbon makes a rounder, sweeter Manhattan with the same 2 oz whiskey, 1 oz sweet vermouth, and bitters. A rye Manhattan is simply that recipe with rye whiskey. Jim Beam Rye is a common, affordable bottle people use when they want a rye Manhattan without hunting for a rare pour. Use whichever bottle you already like to sip.
Manhattan questions
Do you shake or stir a Manhattan?
Stir it. The drink has no juice. Stirring makes it cold and keeps it clear and smooth. Shaking adds small air bubbles and makes it cloudy.
How do you store vermouth?
After you open vermouth, close the bottle and keep it in the fridge. Vermouth is a wine, so it loses flavor at room temperature. Use it within about one month.
Best bourbon or rye for the Manhattan
Rye gives the classic dry, spicy edge. A bourbon makes the drink rounder and sweeter. Both work, so use the bottle you like to sip.
These bottles are on the live Instadram shelf. Open a page to see the notes.
More whiskey cocktail recipes
Scan a bottle. Add it to your shelf.
Keep the bottle for your Manhattan on your shelf. Point your camera at a bottle and Instadram adds it. You do not type the name. Free includes 25 Active bottles. Pro is unlimited.
Download on the
App Store
Get it on
Google Play
Get Instadram on the App Store or on Google Play.
Please drink responsibly. Instadram is for adults who are 21 or older.