Bourbon: Manhattan

By Mark Bittman

Bourbon: Manhattan
Yunhee Kim for The New York Times. Drink stylist: Brian Preston-Campbell. Prop stylist: Theo Vamvounakis.
Total Time
2 minutes
Rating
4(307)
Comments
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A Manhattan is generally made with rye whiskey. Here we’re using its sweeter cousin, bourbon, with a splash of sweet vermouth. You’ll see precise measurements. But use this recipe as a guideline, and customize according to your preference.

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Ingredients

  • 2tablespoons sweet vermouth
  • Garnish: Maraschino cherry
  • ice
  • ¼cup whiskey
Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Add 2 tablespoons sweet vermouth to the ice and whiskey and gently stir; strain into a glass. Garnish: Maraschino cherry.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
307 user ratings
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Comments

MTM

Use Luxardo cherries - you won't believe what a difference these cherries make vs. your standard Maraschinos.

Kim

Adding a few drops of Agnostura bitters makes this perfect.

Jim R

Not sure why these strange measurements--2 Tablespoons and 1/4 cup. 2 Tablespoons is 1 oz; 1/4 cup is 2 oz. Simple--2:1 ratio, the perfect ratio for me, but pls experiment to find yours. More important--if a manhattan doesn't have bitters, send it back. Again, experiment--Peychaud's, Fee Brothers or Bitterman orange bitters, Hudson's ginger, Woodford Reserve makes a good bitters for a manhattan. Check the Meadow on Hudson for lots of choices. And NEVER maraschino cherries.

William Benson

Any bourbon or rye cocktail that includes a maraschino cherry is instantly ruined by the addition of that red dye #2, almond soaked fake throwback to the ‘50s, especially since there are so many delicious alternatives - Luxardo being one.

Jeff B.

I find that using a really good/expensive bourbon in a Manhattan is not necessary. I save my good stuff for straight, on the rocks. Try Wild Turkey 101 for the bourbon Manhattan with that dash of bitters.

Jennifer Sig

I just keep frozen organic dark sweet cherries on hand, they work fine and thaw in your drink. A hint, just a small splash, of Cherry Heering if you like sweet.

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