One of the oldest cocktail recipes, this Classic Manhattan Cocktail is made with just 3 ingredients – rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and angostura bitters. All you need to do is stir gently with ice, strain, and sip to enjoy this simple, sophisticated whiskey cocktail.
If whiskey is your booze of choice, don’t miss our classic Whiskey Sour and Hot Toddy!
A Classic Cocktail Recipe
Want to feel sophisticated in just a few seconds? Sip on a Manhattan cocktail. There is just something about this classic cocktail that screams elegance and sophistication. This is the perfect drink for dinner parties or even pre-dinner drinks with friends.
But while it may look fancy, a Manhattan is actually one of the easiest cocktails to make. All you need is 3 ingredients, a mixer glass, and a bit of ice. Add a cherry for garnish and enjoy. Just be sure to sip this cocktail slowly because it is a strong one!
What Is A Manhattan?
A Manhattan is one of the oldest cocktail recipes, said to date back to the 1870’s. It’s made with rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and angostura bitters. It’s a strong cocktail with bitter, herbal undertones and sometimes a hint of oak or vanilla depending on the whiskey used.
Why is a Manhattan called a Manhattan? The name comes from the drink’s origins – The Manhattan Club in New York City.
What’s The Difference Between a Manhattan and an Old Fashioned?
The two cocktails are very similar. Both are made with whiskey, bitters, and usually garnished with a cherry. However, an Old Fashioned swaps the vermouth for a sugar cube and often has an orange garnish as well. It’s also typically served over ice while the Manhattan is stirred, then strained.
Manhattan Cocktail Ingredients
There are just 3 ingredients plus a cherry garnish in this easy cocktail recipe.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Whiskey – Rye whiskey is traditionally used, but bourbon or Canadian whisky also works.
- Sweet vermouth – Sweet vermouth adds a spicy-sweet flavor to complement the whiskey.
- Angostura bitters – These popular bitters add a slightly bitter undertone to the drink.
- Luxardo cherry – The original cherry garnish.
What Whiskey Should I Use?
Rye whiskey is used to make a classic Manhattan cocktail. However, you can substitute Canadian whisky, bourbon, or blended whiskey instead. Bourbon is probably the second most popular option, with a more mellow and sweet taste compared to the spice in rye whiskey. Use whichever your taste buds prefer!
Whatever type of whiskey you choose to use, be sure to choose a quality brand that you enjoy drinking. Since there are just 3 ingredients in this classic cocktail recipe, each one matters.
Manhattan Cocktail Variations
As you would expect for a cocktail that’s been around for so long, there are many different variations on the original Manhattan cocktail recipe. Most of them are as simple as swapping out the type of alcohol used.
- Classic Manhattan. That’s what we’re making today, with sweet vermouth and rye whiskey.
- Dry Manhattan. A classic Manhattan with a splash of dry vermouth.
- Perfect Manhattan. Swap the sweet vermouth for a 50/50 combo of sweet vermouth and dry vermouth for a Perfect Manhattan, a drink that’s just a little less sweet than the classic.
- Bourbon Manhattan. Though many will make the classic Manhattan with bourbon and still call it just that, technically it’s a Bourbon Manhattan.
- Rob Roy. A Rob Roy is a Scotch Manhattan that is specifically made with Scotch whiskey and sweet vermouth.
- Metropolitan. Swap the whiskey for brandy and you’ll have a Metropolitan or Brandy Manhattan.
How to Make a Manhattan
Making a classic Manhattan cocktail takes less than 5 minutes.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Stir with ice. Add the ingredients (except for the cherry) into a mixing glass with ice. Gently stir.
- Strain. Strain the liquor into a glass. Manhattans are usually served in martini glasses.
- Serve. Garnish with a cherry and serve.
Tips for the Best Cocktail
Here are a few tips for making the perfect Manhattan cocktail.
- Use quality ingredients. It’s essential to use a good whiskey and vermouth to make your drink. A Manhattan is only as good as the ingredients so choose the best that you can find.
- Stir, don’t shake. Manhattan cocktails are stirred in a glass with ice, not shaken like many other cocktails.
Serving Suggestions
Manhattans are traditionally garnished with a Luxardo cherry, which is the original maraschino cherry before the bright red ones began being used. If you don’t have them, you can also garnish this classic cocktail with a modern maraschino cherry. Some also add an orange peel garnish as well.
Note that the Manhattan is a strong drink. It’s more or less straight alcohol, diluted only slightly when stirred with the ice, so it’s akin to taking a shot of whiskey. This is a cocktail meant to be sipped slowly!
More Cocktail Recipes:
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Manhattan Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces rye whiskey
- 3/4 ounce sweet vermouth
- dash of angostura bitters
- Luxardo cherry , for garnish
Instructions
- Place ice into a mixing glass.
- Add the whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters; gently stir to combine.
- Strain into glass.
- Garnish with a cherry and sip slowly – it's a strong one!
Where did you get this cocktail glass? We had some similar but broke one. Trying to find replacements and yours are perfect..