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    Home » Whiskey/Bourbon » Perfect Manhattan Cocktail

    Published: Dec 13, 2019 · Modified: Nov 17, 2020 by Lisa · This post may contain affiliate links, which means we make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you.

    Perfect Manhattan Cocktail

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Calling all whiskey lovers, this one is for you! You can never go wrong with a classic drink, especially when it's this Perfect Manhattan Cocktail recipe.

    2 cocktails in low ball glasses garnished with cherries. this recipe

    Classic cocktails are something that everyone should know how to make and this Perfect Manhattan Cocktail recipe is one of our favorites.

    If you have never tried to make one at home. We took the guess work out of it and have the perfect recipe.

    It's easy to make, fantastic to drink, and so much fun to enjoy with friends. Not to mention, the ability to make bar-worthy classic cocktails at home is the secret to being a great host or hostess.

    Jump to:
    • History of the drink
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • FAQs
    • Variations
    • Recipe
    • More Whiskey Cocktails
    A glass of Manhattan on a table with Cherry.

    History of the drink

    Legend has it that is was invented in the 1870's by Dr. Ian Marshall at the Manhattan Club in New York City for a banquet hosted by Lady Randolph Churchill (the mother of Winston).

    After the banquet, the drink became very fashionable. Since it did not have a name, people started referring to it as the Manhattan Cocktail because of the club where it was first served.

    A glass cup on a table, with Manhattan and cherries.

    Ingredients

    Making your own manhattan cocktail is easy. You don't need to have a full professional bar to make this old school cocktail classic. With just a few simple ingredients, you can feel like a sophisticated aristocrat in no time:

    • whiskey
    • vermouth
    • bitters
    • cherries
    Low ball old fashioned glass filled with manhattan cocktail and garnished with a skewer of cherries.

    Instructions

    You barely need any time to make this Manhattan cocktail recipe. All you need is a few glasses of your choice and a good stir stick, and you're set!

    Step 1: Place a few ice cubes in a low ball glass.

    Step 2: Add whiskey/bourbon, vermouth, bitter and cherry juice.

    Step 3: Stir

    Step 4: Garnish with cherries.

    Cheers!

    That's seriously all you have to do! This cocktail recipe is proof that fun cocktails don't have to be complicated to make.

    Tip: Learn How to Cook a Beef Tenderloin and you can have a fabulous date night from the comfort of your own home for a fraction of the price. How is that for a win?

    2 crystal glasses filled with ice, bourbon and a skewer of cherries for garnish on a dark background.

    FAQs

    What is a Manhattan cocktail?


    To put it simply, it's essentially a whiskey martini. There are several variations on the drink, but our personal favorite is this Perfect Manhattan.

    What kind of whiskey do you use?


    That's easy: pick your favorite. 

    You can use Canadian Whisky, American Whiskey (Bourbon or Rye) or even Scotch.

    We are partial to bourbon, particularly Maker’s Mark, Bulleit, or a new favorite, Rowan’s Creek Small Batch Bourbon.

    However you pour it you can't go wrong!

    What is the difference between whiskey and bourbon?


    In simple terms, whiskey is a spirit distilled from fermented grain mash. What makes each type of whiskey different is the type of grain used. The different grains used include wheat, rye, barley, and corn.

    Bourbon is considered to be a bit different because it is an American whiskey, and it has its own specifications of what makes it bourbon. It must be made in the US, be 51% corn and not contain any added flavoring, coloring or additives.

    A glass of whiskey, with Manhattan and Vermouth.

    Variations

    There are several different variations of this classic drink. If you love this whiskey and bourbon, then be sure to try out all the different variations to see which one you love the most. 

    • Perfect Manhattans use both sweet and dry vermouth and garnishes with a cherry.
    • Dry Manhattans only use dry vermouth and replaces the cherry garnish with a twist.
    • A Rob Roy uses scotch whiskey.
    • Brandy Manhattans use brandy instead of whiskey.

    A glass cup on a table, with Manhattan and Vermouth.

    Recipe

    single low ball glass filled with drink and cherry for garnish.

    Perfect Manhattan Cocktail

    Garnish With Lemon
    A Perfect Manhattan Cocktail is a classic whiskey drink that never goes out of style.
    4.62 from 49 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Whiskey/Bourbon
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 drink
    Calories 265 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 ounces whiskey or bourbon
    • ½ ounce dry vermouth
    • ½ ounce sweet vermouth
    • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
    • 1 bar spoonful cherry juice from Maraschino or Luxardo cherries
    • 2 Maraschino or Luxardo cherries for garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Place ice cubes in a low ball glass and add first five ingredients.
    • Stir and garnish with cherries.

    Notes

    This is a great way to experiment with new brands of bourbon!

    VIDEO

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4ouncesCalories: 265kcalCarbohydrates: 10gSodium: 13mgSugar: 7g

    Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.

    Did you make this recipe?Tag us on Instagram or leave a comment!

    More Whiskey Cocktails

    Try out a few more whiskey drinks that we know you'll love! Here are a few of our personal favorites.

    • Meyer Lemon Whiskey Sours
    • Ginger Whiskey Cocktail
    • Bourbon Aperol Cocktail
    • Peach Bourbon Smash

    Find all of our whiskey drinks in our archives.

    You can never go wrong with a classic. This Manhattan cocktail recipe is filled with Bourbon, cherry, bitters, and vermouth and is always a whiskey lover's favorite cocktail.

    « How to Cook Beef Tenderloin
    Greyhound Cocktail »

    About Lisa

    Hi, I’m Lisa! Looking for the party? It’s probably at my house. Nothing brings me more joy than sharing good food with friends and family. That and a seriously good cocktail.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mike Schuster says

      December 21, 2019 at 7:11 am

      Black Manhattan with Brandy is over the top

      2 parts rye whiskey 1 part Averna (Amaro Siciliano). 2 dashes black bitters
      Teaspoon Black cheery juice and black cherry

      You’ll think you died and went to heaven!

      Reply
    2. Steven Thompson says

      November 02, 2019 at 1:44 pm

      What a great post, I love a well made Manhatten! And thank you for including my Peach Bourbon Smash as one of the other whiskey cocktails to enjoy. Cheers!

      Reply
    3. Julie says

      July 20, 2019 at 5:03 pm

      I'm so happy that I saw this beauty! What a beautiful beverage just made for sipping! I'm a bourbon girl and all of a sudden I've just got to have me a Manhattan. Thank you for sharing our Bootleg version!

      Reply
    4. Beverly Smith says

      March 13, 2019 at 9:41 pm

      I make my Manhattan with Woodford Reserve bourbon. With sweet vermouth , bitters, a little cherry juice. I garnish with a half moon slice of orange and cherry,with a the cherry in the middle of the orange and a pick though both orange and cherry. Makes a beautiful presentation.

      Reply
    5. Ed says

      December 29, 2018 at 10:22 pm

      The way I hear it, the Manhattan got its name from the recipe:
      2 parts whiskey
      1 part vermouth
      2 dashes of bitters...
      212 - the area code of Manhattan!

      Reply
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    We're the creative juices behind Garnish with Lemon. In the past 8 years, millions of people have sipped & snacked on our recipes. Need easy, delicious party food and drinks for your next shindig? You’ve come to the right place.

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