Whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters make up this traditional cocktail. The Manhattan cocktail dates back to the late 19th century. There are numerous theories about how it was created, the most popular of which holds that Dr. Lain Marshall created it for a party for Winston Churchill’s mother in Manhattan in the 1880s.
What’s in a Manhattan?
Traditionally, rye whiskey is used to make it, but you could also use Canadian whiskey, bourbon, or blended whiskey. This is the heart of the cocktail, so choose something you’d drink on its own.
It also contains sweet vermouth. If you don’t drink sweet vermouth on a regular basis, you might be tempted to grab the cheapest bottle on the shelf, but I would approach this part of the drink with the same thoughtfulness as you would whiskey. Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth is a popular choice, but Dolin would be a more cost-effective option.
Angostura Aromatic Bitters are a good choice for Manhattan bitters, but they are not the cheapest. Experiment with it and have fun!
Prepare and Serve
Unlike some other cocktails, such as the Martini, which begs the question, “Is it shaken or stirred?” this one does not. It’s stirred!
There are differing opinions on what glass to serve a Manhattan in, but a martini, a lowball, or a coupe glass would all work just fine.
Don’t forget the maraschino cherry!
Manhattan
Ingredients
- 2 ounces rye whiskey you can use other whiskey, but rye is most commonly used and preferred
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes bitters a good one to try is Angostura bitters
- maraschino cherry
Instructions
- In a cocktail mixing glass, add the whiskey, vermouth and bitters.
- Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir
- Stain it into a martini, lowball or coupe glass and garnish with a cherry.
