Manhattan
Manhattan is a smooth, aromatic cocktail with the warming spice of rye whiskey, the herbal sweetness of vermouth, and the subtle bitter lift of Angostura. Served ice-cold and crystal clear, it is elegant, strong, and unmistakably classic.
Ingredients
Cocktail
- 100 mlrye whiskey
- 50 mlsweet vermouth
- 4 dashesAngostura bitters
- 300 gice cubes
Garnish
- 2maraschino cherries
Instructions
- 1
Chill 2 coupe or cocktail glasses in the freezer for a few minutes, or fill them with ice water while you mix the drink. A cold glass keeps the Manhattan silky and properly brisk.
- 2
Fill a mixing glass with the ice cubes. Pour in the rye whiskey and sweet vermouth, then add the Angostura bitters.
- 3
Stir smoothly with a bar spoon for 25-30 seconds, until the outside of the mixing glass is very cold. Stirring, rather than shaking, gives the cocktail the classic clear appearance and controlled dilution.
- 4
Discard any ice water from the chilled glasses if using. Strain the cocktail evenly into the 2 glasses. Garnish each serving with 1 maraschino cherry and serve immediately.
Nutrition per serving
Notes
- •For a balanced classic Manhattan, use a rye whiskey with spicy, peppery notes and a fresh bottle of sweet vermouth.
- •If you prefer a slightly drier drink, reduce the sweet vermouth to 40 ml total.
- •Store opened sweet vermouth in the refrigerator and use within about 1 month for the best flavor.
- •A brandied or high-quality maraschino cherry gives a cleaner finish than bright red artificially flavored cocktail cherries.
Background
The Manhattan is one of the foundational American cocktails, likely developed in New York City in the late 19th century. It became a benchmark for spirit-forward drinks, pairing whiskey with Italian vermouth and bitters in a formula that influenced countless later cocktails.
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