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Do you love a good Manhattan cocktail? I do. Manhattans are one of my go-to cocktails when we’re out and about. I’ve been working on my repertoire of classic cocktail recipes, and decided it’s time to learn how to make a great Manhattan at home.

Manhattans were served as early as the 1870s in New York, so I’m almost one hundred and fifty years late to the party. I found guidance on how to make the best Manhattan in this Punch article, which examines how leading bartenders craft their Manhattans.

Here’s the good news: Manhattans seem fancy, but they are truly one of the easiest cocktails to make. You’ll only need three ingredients (plus a cherry garnish). The trick is selecting quality ingredients that play well together.

Once you have those, you’ll be sipping a great Manhattan cocktail in no time. Manhattans should always be stirred, not shaken, so you don’t even need to bust out the cocktail shaker for these. Cheers!

Manhattan Ingredients

The best Manhattan cocktails are thoughtfully crafted with ingredients that complement each other. You’ll find my preferred ingredients in the recipe below.

Rye or Bourbon

Rye and bourbon are both types of whiskey, with different compositions. Rye has more spice to it, while bourbon is a little more mellow and sweet. Most bartenders opt for rye, but choose according to your taste buds. Keep in mind that vermouth will temper the fire a bit.

I used Bulleit rye for these cocktails. It’s always a solid choice, and I was so pleased with the results!

Sweet Vermouth

Vermouth is wine that is “fortified” (made stronger than usual, with the help of some brandy) and “aromatized” (meaning it’s infused with herbs and spices). Vermouths are sweetened, too.

For a classic Manhattan, we want to use “sweet” vermouth, which actually isn’t all that sweet. Sweet vermouths are dark red or brown, not clear. My favorite options are Dolin and Carpano Antica. Dolin is the softer and smoother of the two, which is not to say that it’s boring. It’s also less expensive.

Vermouth storage tip: Vermouth is wine, so it will go bad with time like all wines do (but will keep longer than a regular bottle, thanks to the brandy). Opened bottles of vermouth will keep well in the refrigerator for somewhere between one month to two months.

Wondering how to use up your vermouth before it loses its flavor? Do as the Europeans do, and enjoy vermouth over ice as an apéritif. It’s especially nice with an orange twist.

Bitters

Angostura bitters are classic and easy to find, and you really can’t go wrong with them. Bitters, like, vermouth, are infused with proprietary herbs and spices. They’re highly concentrated, though—just a couple of dashes add tons of complex flavor.

A Cocktail Cherry, For Garnish

If you’re serious about your Manhattans, go ahead and splurge on great cherries. I love Luxardo cherries, which last quite a while in the fridge. You can find Luxardo cherries at well-stocked liquor stores and on Amazon (affiliate link). I have never enjoyed maraschinos, but they are an option.

Tip: If you want your Manhattan to be on the sweeter side, add a tiny bit of the sweetened cherry liquid from the jar to your mixing glass.

How to Make the Best Manhattan Cocktail

The Manhattan is so easy to make. Here’s how to do it:

1. Gather your ingredients, fill a mixing glass with ice, and place a coupe or martini glass nearby.
2. Pour the whiskey and vermouth into your mixing glass. Add a couple dashes of bitters.
3. Stir, stir, stir.
4. Strain the mixture into your drinking glass.
5. Enjoy.

Looking for more classic cocktails?

Here are a few more holiday-worthy cocktails:

Please let me know how your Manhattan turns out in the comments! I hope it’s as good as you’ve ever had.

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