Manhattan
Rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters, stirred cold. A New York classic.
- Time
- 4 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Glass
- Coupe
- Strength
- 2.4 UK units
How to make a Manhattan
- Chill the glass. Fill the coupe with ice and water, or put it in the freezer, while you make the drink.
- Combine in a mixing glass. Add the rye, vermouth and bitters to a mixing glass and fill it two-thirds with ice.
- Stir until cold. Stir for 30 to 40 seconds, until the glass is frosted and the drink looks silky, not cloudy.
- Strain and garnish. Strain into the chilled coupe and drop in a cherry. The drink should be a deep, clear amber-red.
- Glass
- CoupeNo coupe? A martini glass or any small stemmed glass.
- Ice
- No ice
- Garnish
- Cocktail cherry on a pickOr: A wide orange twist.
What you need to make a Manhattan
Kit
JiggerA double-ended measure, usually 25 ml and 50 ml.
Mixing glassAny sturdy jug or pint glass works.
Bar spoonA long teaspoon does the job.
StrainerA Hawthorne strainer fits over the tin or glass.
Bottles we'd use
- A rye whiskeyRittenhouse is the bar standard; Sazerac Rye is easier to find in the UK.Find it on Amazon
- Sweet vermouthCocchi Vermouth di Torino is rich. Martini Rosso is lighter and easy to find.Find it on Amazon
- Angostura bittersEssential, and one bottle lasts for months.Find it on Amazon
Links to Amazon are affiliate links: if you buy through them, Bar Bandol may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The Manhattan story
It was born in New York in the 1860s to 1880s, and the exact origin is disputed. A popular story places it at a banquet for Samuel Tilden at the Manhattan Club in 1874, hosted by Jennie Jerome, Winston Churchill's mother. Historians doubt it, because she was in England at the time.
The classic ratio is two parts whiskey to one part vermouth, with bitters. Rye gives a spicy, dry edge. Bourbon is softer and sweeter. Whichever you use, a fresh bottle of vermouth matters more than anything else.
Manhattan: your questions answered
What is in a Manhattan?
A Manhattan is made with 50 ml rye whiskey, 25 ml sweet vermouth and 2 dashes of Angostura bitters. Garnish: cocktail cherry on a pick.
Is a Manhattan shaken or stirred?
A Manhattan is stirred, not shaken. Stirring with ice chills and dilutes it while keeping the drink clear and smooth. Shaking would cloud it and add tiny air bubbles, which suits citrus drinks but not this one.
How strong is a Manhattan?
Made to this recipe, a Manhattan contains about 2.4 UK units of alcohol per drink. That is worked out from typical bottle strengths, so it changes with the bottles you use. UK guidelines advise not regularly drinking more than 14 units a week.
What glass do you serve a Manhattan in?
Serve a Manhattan in a coupe. No coupe? A martini glass or any small stemmed glass.
