Manhattan Recipe

Here are the secrets to the best Manhattan cocktail recipe! Make this easy classic cocktail with just three ingredients.

Are you a fan of the Manhattan cocktail? This sophisticated whiskey drink has a long history and has stood the test of time. It’s got only three ingredients, but there’s so much going on in one sip! Hints of vanilla and oak come from the whiskey, sweet and spicy notes from the vermouth, and an herbal nuance from the bitters. When we want a truly classic cocktail, this is one we’ll reach for. Here are the Manhattan cocktail ingredients and how to make a truly stellar drink.

The Manhattan cocktail dates back to the 1870’s, so it’s a predecessor to the many cocktails that sprung up in the 1920’s and 30’s. The story goes that the drink was invented at a club called The Manhattan Club in New York City, hence the name. The Manhattan is a classic cocktail on the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails. This means that there’s an official definition for the Manhattan cocktail ingredients:

Classic Manhattan Cocktail

Food Network

Prep: 0 10min0

Total: 0 15min0

Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients:

• Ice
• 2 parts whiskey
• 1 part sweet vermouth
• 1 to 2 dashes bitters, such as Angostura
• Orange peel
• Real Maraschino Cherries, recipe follows
• 1 cup maraschino liqueur
• 1 pint sour cherries, stemmed and pitted (in a pinch, you can buy a jar of sour cherries in light syrup, and drain the syrup)

Instruction:

1. Place ice in a cocktail shaker. Add the whiskey, vermouth and bitters. Rub the orange peel around the rim of the cocktail glass. Strain the drink into the glass. Add 1 to 2 Real Maraschino Cherries and enjoy!
2. Bring the liqueur to a simmer, and then turn off the heat. Add the cherries, stir, let cool, and then pour into jars. Refrigerate. Cherries will be tasty for months.

Classic Manhattan Cocktail

Here are the secrets to the best Manhattan cocktail recipe! Make this easy classic cocktail with just three ingredients.

Prep: 5min

Total: 5min

Yield: 1

Nutrition Facts: servingSize None, calories 173 calories, Sugar 1.2 g, Sodium 3.2 mg, Fat 1.9 g, Saturated Fat 0.4 g, Trans Fat 0 g, Carbohydrate 6.2 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 1.3 g, Cholesterol 0 mg

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces* bourbon or rye whiskey
• 1 ounce sweet red vermouth
• 3 dashes Angostura or orange bitters
• Luxardo cherry, for garnish

Instruction:

1. Combine the whiskey, vermouth and bitters in a cocktail mixing glass (or any other type of glass). Fill the mixing glass with 1 handful ice and stir continuously for 30 seconds.
2. Strain into a coupe or cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry and serve.

How to Make a Manhattan

The Manhattan is brazen and strong: rye or bourbon whiskey, Italian vermouth, and aromatic bitters. Here’s how to make this classic whiskey cocktail.

Prep: 5min

Total: 5min

Yield: 1 serving(s)

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. rye or bourbon
• 1 oz. Italian vermouth
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

Instruction:

1. Stir the whiskey, vermouth, and bitters well with cracked ice in a mixing glass until chilled.
2. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
3. Garnish with a twist and/or a cocktail cherry.

Manhattan Cocktail Recipe Two Ways

The Manhattan drink made two different ways—perfectly constructed with bourbon, vermouth, bitters and garnish

Prep: 5min

Total: 5min

Yield: 1

Serving Size: 1

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1, calories 255 calories, Sugar 3g, Sodium 98mg, Fat 0g, Saturated Fat 0g, Carbohydrate 4.8g, Fiber 0g, Protein 0g, Cholesterol 0mg

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces bourbon or rye whiskey
• 3/4 ounces sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Garnish with a Luxardo cherry
• 2 1/2 ounces bourbon or rye whiskey
• 1/2 ounce sweet vermouth
• 1/2 ounce dry vermouth
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Luxardo cherry for garnish
• Orange peel (optional)

Instruction:

1. Stir vigorously for 20 seconds and strain into a chilled coupe glass or serve on the rocks with fresh ice. Garnish with a cherry and serve immediately.
2. Twist and squeeze the orange peel over the cocktail to release the oils. Rub the rim of the glass with the peel and drop it into the cocktail. Garnish with 1 cherry and serve immediately.

How to Make a Manhattan Cocktail