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With this Manhattan Drink Recipe, you’ll learn all you need to know to make the very best Manhatten cocktail you’ve ever tasted.
Do you enjoy a good Manhattan cocktail? I’ve been working on my collection of classic drink recipes, and have finally mastered making a Manhatten cocktail.
Some find mixing drinks at home a little intimidating, but good quality ingredients and a recipe that works are all you need to make the best Manhattan you’ve ever had.
What is a Manhattan?
Thought to be invented by Dr. Iain Marshall in the 1880s for a party hosted by Lady Randolph Churchill, (Winston Churchill’s mother), it was named after the Manhattan club in New York where the party was being held.
There are many variations of this cocktail. An “Old Fashioned” cocktail is similar to the Manhattan, using sugar instead of sweet vermouth. You might also come across a “Patriot” which is made with Jim Beam.
What’s In A Manhattan
Typically, a Manhatten cocktail is made up of Bourbon or rye, vermouth, bitters, and garnished with a maraschino cherry.
Choosing a Vermouth for Making a Manhattan
The two most common types of vermouth are sweet and dry. Manhattans typically call for sweet vermouth (also known as red vermouth) which is sweeter and has a darker color than dry vermouth.
Which bourbon for a Manhattan?
It’s traditionally made with a rye-based bourbon, but you can use what ever you like best. It’s fun to experiment!
All about angostura Bitters
Angostura bitters are used to balance alcoholic drinks, they help to cleanse the palate and help with digestion.
They are a combination of grasses, roots, leaves, and herbs concentrated so they can be dissolved in alcohol. They were originally formulated by the House of Angostura in Trinidad and Tobago.
How To Make A Manhattan
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add bourbon, sweet vermouth, and angostura bitters to a cocktail shaker or jug.
- Stir in for 30 seconds in a circular motion.
- Pour into a cocktail glass and garnish with a cherry
- Drink and enjoy!
Step by Step Instructions
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in bourbon.
Pour in sweet vermouth. followed by the angostura bitters.
Stir in a circular motion for around 30 seconds.
Pour into cocktail glasses.
Garnish with a cherry.
If you don’t have cherries you can also garnish this amazing cocktail with lemon slices, or any other fruit you wish.
Serve and enjoy!
About using a cocktail shaker
Shakers are used to mix and chill cocktails. Shaking cocktails with ice helps create, mix, and dilute your drink. If a cocktail contains eggs or dairy it also helps to add foam to the top of your cocktail. So it all depends if your need to “shake” or “stir”.
Tips & Variations
- When you’ve opened a bottle of vermouth you can keep it in the refrigerator for between 1 and 2 months. It is similar to wine but does last longer once opened.
- If you prefer your cocktails on the sweeter side, you can add some of the cherry liquid from the jar into the mixture.
- For a dry Manhattan use dry vermouth and garnish with a slice of lemon.
- You can transform a Manhattan into a Rob Roy (or Scottish Manhattan) simply use scotch whiskey instead of bourbon.
- To make a Metropolitan, use brandy instead of bourbon
FAQs
What is the difference between a Manhattan and an Old Fashioned?
The difference between these two cocktails is simply the type of whiskey. An Old Fashioned‘s main ingredient is whiskey Angostura bitters and sugar. A Manhattan is made with a rye whiskey.
Is a Manhattan Cocktail strong?
Yes, a Manhattan is a strong drink – the use of bitters helps to amplify the bourbon.
What does a Manhattan cocktail taste like?
It is a strong, bitter-tasting drink, perfect for those who don’t like a super sweet cocktail.
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Recipe
Manhattan (Drink Recipe)
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon (or rye)
- 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
- 2 shakes Angostura Bitters
- maraschino cherries (for garnish)
Instructions
- Add ice to a glass.
- In a cocktail shaker pour in the bourbon.
- Pour in the sweet vermouth.
- Add the angostura bitters.
- Stir in a circular motion for around 30 seconds.
- Strain into a glasses and serve with a cherry garnish.
Tips
- If you don’t have cherries you can also garnish this amazing cocktail with lemon slices, or any other fruit you wish.
- When you’ve opened a bottle of vermouth you can keep it in the refrigerator for between 1 and 2 months. It is similar to wine but does last longer once opened.
- If you prefer your cocktails on the sweeter side, you can add some of the cherry liquid from the jar into the mixture.
- For a dry Manhattan use dry vermouth and garnish with a slice of lemon.
- You can turn your Manhattan into a Rob Roy (or Scottish Manhattan) simply use scotch whiskey instead of bourbon.
- If you use brandy instead of bourbon the cocktail is transformed into a Metropolitan!.
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