How to Make a Manhattan, from Classic to Creative
Here’s the 5-minute recipe you need in your repertoire. Try the OG cocktail, then change up the spirits, add flavors like citrus, or even whip up a zero-proof variation.
Manhattan. Recipe by Maria C. Hunt. Photo by Brittany Conerly.
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I started making Manhattans long before I started drinking them. As a young bartender at Chicago’s Civic Opera House, I greeted waves of thirsty classical music lovers at every intermission when they poured into the foyer ordering Manhattans and other classic cocktails.
Even with the cherry garnish, it was clear the Manhattan’s combination of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters was a sophisticated and spirit-forward cocktail. When I finally tasted one, I was pleasantly surprised at the way the uncomplicated combination of three ingredients creates layers of bittersweet caramel, fruit, and cocoa flavors that seem to shift with every sip. As a drinker more accustomed to Champagne and gin and tonics, the Manhattan took my palate in an entirely new direction.
Now the cocktail holds a favorite spot in my repertoire, and I love to play with the basic formula to see how small tweaks can create memorable variations.
Read on for everything you need to know to make the best Manhattan. Along with answering the questions that frequently come up when making this cocktail, I’ll share step-by-step instructions, mixology tips, and some of my favorite versions of the Manhattan recipe to inspire you.
Jump ahead to:
How to make a Manhattan, step by step >>
Yummly’s classic Manhattan recipe >>
11 ways to change up your Manhattan >>
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Manhattan Q & A
Are you new to Manhattans? Start here to learn the history of this classic cocktail and the key ingredients.
Where was the Manhattan first created?
As with many other classic cocktail recipes, the origins of the Manhattan are a bit hazy. We do know that the Manhattan cocktail originated in the late 1800s in New York City. Cocktail historians link the drink with the Manhattan Club, though it’s not clear when it debuted on the menu. One story says it was created as a tribute to Jenny Jerome, Winston Churchill’s mother, but this has been debunked. It appears, though, that the Manhattan Club hosted a December 1874 dinner for Governor Samuel J. Tilden, a rye lover, and that they served a special drink of equal parts rye and sweet vermouth with a dash of orange bitters.
What’s in a traditional Manhattan recipe?
A Manhattan is one of those drinks that embodies the principle of the sum being greater than the individual parts. A classic Manhattan combines 2 ounces of American rye whiskey with 1 ounce of sweet Italian vermouth and a couple dashes of Angostura bitters. The finishing touch is often a candied cherry, but some people prefer a strip of orange zest. The original Manhattan recipe is a seamless and impactful combination of ingredients.
What cherries are in a Manhattan?
The original Manhattan recipe doesn’t offer a lot of detail on the type of cherry to use. But today, it’s safe to say a bright red maraschino cherry will create a less flavorful Manhattan cocktail. Those artificially flavored and colored cherries didn’t exist back in the 1800s. The mixologist’s gold standard for cherries then and now are candied Marasca cherries from Italy. The Luxardo family started selling candied cherries in 1905, sourcing Marasca cherries from Croatia. They’re dark red and succulent with a deep, sweet-tart cherry flavor. You can pick them up at many grocery stores, any beverage shop, and online.
What liquor is in a Manhattan?
The Manhattan is an American whiskey cocktail. Rye is the choice for a classic Manhattan cocktail. Rye grain gives the whiskey a natural spiciness that makes a Manhattan that’s more savory and intense, in a good way. That said, many people prefer a Manhattan with more round flavors, so they mix it with bourbon instead, which is sweeter since it has a higher percentage of corn. Which spirit you choose for your Manhattan is a matter of personal taste.
The other alcohol in a Manhattan is sweet Italian vermouth, which is based on wine. This red, or rosso, vermouth is made by mixing red wine with sweetener, herb-infused spirit, and enough alcohol to get it to 16 to 22 proof.
How is a Manhattan traditionally served?
A Manhattan cocktail is typically served without ice in a footed cocktail glass, such as a coupe or martini glass. Serving this drink in a glass with a stem keeps your warm hand out of direct contact with the bowl of the glass, so your cocktail stays nice and cool.
Like the martini, a Manhattan doesn't need additional dilution once it’s in the glass, so it’s served without ice. This is also called serving a drink up. The goal is to highlight the fine mix of flavors in the carefully chosen whiskey and sweet vermouth.
How to make a Manhattan, step by step
Stirring up a classic Manhattan recipe takes only 5 minutes as long as you have the right ingredients and bar tools on hand. Here’s how to create the drink, following my classic Manhattan recipe below.
1. Assemble the ingredients
Photo by Brittany Conerly
Your cocktails will only be as good as the ingredients you put into them, so quality counts. That’s especially true with a straightforward cocktail like the Manhattan. You’ll need rye or bourbon whiskey, sweet Italian vermouth, aromatic bitters, a few Luxardo cocktail cherries for garnish, and some ice cubes.
If you don’t have a favorite house brand of American whiskey, I especially like Sazerac rye for its balance. As for the bitters, I’m partial to the warmth and aromatic verve of Hella bitters, but you could use Angostura instead. You can also check out ingredient options at your favorite spirit shop.
2. Assemble your tools
There’s not much equipment needed to make a classic Manhattan recipe, but you will want a few things handy. Start with a cocktail jigger — a mini measuring cup for making cocktails. Measuring your spirits and vermouth accurately ensures that you’ll make the best Manhattans every time.
You’ll also want a cocktail mixing glass (or a 2-cup glass measuring cup), a long-handled spoon or other spoon, and a Hawthorne strainer for when it comes time to pour your finished Manhattan into the cocktail glass. Finally, have a footed cocktail glass to hold your finished Manhattan drink, and some cocktail picks or round wooden toothpicks for the cherries.
3. Prepare your glass
The Manhattan is served without ice, so you’ll want to help make sure it stays cold for as long as possible. One of the best ways to do this is by pre-chilling your cocktail glass. Before you start mixing the drink, fill your cocktail vessel with ice and water. Let it sit for five minutes or so. When you’re ready to make your Manhattan cocktail, just empty it and you’ll have a chilled cocktail glass that will help keep the drink cold.
4. Stir it up
Photo by Brittany Conerly
Fill a cocktail mixing glass (or pint measuring cup) with ice, then add 2 ounces rye whiskey or bourbon whiskey, 1 ounce sweet Italian vermouth, and 3 shakes bitters. Stir for a few minutes with a long handled spoon until the mixture is well chilled and condensation starts to form.
5. Pour
Photo by Brittany Conerly
Strain the cocktail into your prepared glass, garnish with a Luxardo cherry, and take a sip of your perfectly made Manhattan.
Yummly’s classic Manhattan recipe
An homage to the original from the late 1800s, this Manhattan cocktail recipe made with rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters shows the beauty of this timeless drink.
Manhattan
11 ways to change up your Manhattan
The original Manhattan is an elegant and straightforward cocktail with surprising complexity. But clever people have come up with creative and inviting Manhattan variations. These cocktail recipes take the Manhattan cocktail into new territory for a novel drinking experience.
Reverse Manhattan
Sometimes you’re looking for the flavors of a full-proof Manhattan cocktail, but you want to skip some of the alcohol. The solution is a reverse Manhattan, which flips the proportions of the whiskey and the sweet vermouth to produce a delicious lighter drinking experience.
Perfect Manhattan
In cocktail terminology, a “perfect” Manhattan is one that includes equal amounts of both dry white vermouth and sweet red vermouth. Adding white vermouth gives the Manhattan a more savory note that balances the sweeter flavors in the Italian (red) one.
Citrus Manhattan
New York City’s Manhattan Club used orange bitters in their rye and sweet vermouth cocktail that’s considered the original Manhattan. In this version, you’ll love how orange adds a refreshing note to the classic drink.
French Manhattan
Moving into some more unexpected versions of the Manhattan, this chic recipe from chef David Lebovitz swaps American whiskey for Cognac and adds a touch of orange liqueur for brightness and balance.
Apple Cider Manhattan
A tangy hit of acidity from apple cider and citrus energize the classic Manhattan formula for a brighter and sweeter take.
Black Manhattan
Swapping the sweet vermouth for an Italian black walnut liqueur creates a warm and sophisticated variation.
German Manhattan
This cocktail replaces the traditional rye or bourbon with Bärenjäger, the German liqueur distilled from honey. It’s a much sweeter drink that still evokes a Manhattan.
Rum Manhattan
I love the idea of making a Manhattan with Zacapa, a dark rum from Guatemala. This recipe also includes a dark chocolate garnish that heightens the natural cacao note in the Zacapa rum.
Spiced Maple Manhattan
A special maple syrup infused with cinnamon, vanilla, and star anise elevates this Manhattan recipe — as well as pancakes or waffles!
Lyre's Non-Alcoholic Manhattan
The explosion in craft quality zero-proof spirits means it’s possible to make a nonalcoholic Manhattan cocktail that has lots of flavor. Try this one made with non-alcoholic spirits when you’re taking a break from booze.
Nonhattan
The nonhattan is a low-proof cocktail that marries zero-proof Ritual whiskey alternative with sweet vermouth for a full-flavored drinking experience.
What's next for happy hour?
If you’re interested in learning about more classic cocktails like the old-fashioned, Negroni, and Moscow mule, check out these next articles.