Rum Manhattan-Style
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
Advertisement
Ingredients
- 2ounces dark rum
- ½ounce amaro, preferably Amaro Montenegro
- ¼ounce Demerara syrup (see note)
- 1dash Angostura bitters
- 1dash orange bitters
Preparation
- Step 1
Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes. Add the rum, amaro, Demerara syrup and bitters, and stir 20 seconds. Strain into a coupe or martini glass.
- To make Demerara syrup, place ½ cup Demerara or light brown sugar and ¼ cup water in a saucepan, and bring to a simmer. Cook about a minute, until the sugar has dissolved. Cool to room temperature before using. (There will be extra syrup; refrigerate if not using immediately.)
Private Notes
Comments
Demerara sugar is a larger crystal sugar with post refinement molasses still present. Adding a 1/2 or a teaspoon of molasses to white sugar should approximate the flavor without overpowering the recipe. This really hit the spot after 2 hours of shoveling snow.
I can't drink bourbon because of my gluten intolerance, which is a shame. This isn't really a bourbon Manhattan sub, but it's not bad at all. I used a pre-made simple syrup, and it was fine. When you're deprived like me, you have to be open minded. And I am.
Amaro is a category of Italian digestif known for their bitter profiles blended with herbs, aromatics, and sugar. It’s a category vs a brand with Aperol being one of the best known and widely available stateside. Amaro will bring depth and bitterness to your drink. Depending on the brand/ blend it will also deliver other flavors like mint, artichoke, citrus etc. Amaro Nonino is on the milder side and might be a good starter bottle to try. They all have unique flavor profiles.
“Dark Rum” is not a helpful suggestion. You are making a Manhattan, give the drink some respect. Use a quality aged rum min 5 yrs. 2:1 Dem syrup is just too sweet, steps all over the rum and the amaro. Bar spoon of 1:1 simple or none at all.
I used Averna Amaro Sicilian, which is more intensely sweet, skipping the syrup. I prefer a less sweet cocktail.
Made this with Hamilton Navy Strength Rum and Cynar and used some homemade Smuggler's Cove Demerara Syrup I had on hand, used the proportions in this recipe, 1 dash orange and ango bitters. I shook it with ice in a shaker for 20 seconds, then strained it into an unchilled old fashioned glass. It made a darn good cold weather sipper, not boozy, but strong and smooth. Very nice!