Made with whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters, a Manhattan is a classic cocktail with a long history and an almost unchanging recipe. And it's a strong drink, too!
In a mixing glass, add whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. Fill glass 3/4 full with ice. Using a bar spoon, stir until well chilled, about 30-45 seconds.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry or an orange peel.
Notes
Whiskey: Rye whiskey, the traditional choice for a Manhattan, has a spicy, aggressive flavor and its mash must be made from at least 51% rye. Bourbon is sweeter in flavor and its mash must be made from at least 51% corn. It also must be made in the United States to be called "bourbon."
Sweet vermouth: A fortified wine (made from grapes) that tastes sweet and bitter with notes of botanicals (herbs, roots, and barks) and caramel.
Cherry: I prefer Luxardo brand cherries or brandied cherries in a Manhattan.
Yield: This recipe makes 1 cocktail.
Glassware: The Manhattan is traditionally served in a cocktail glass (similar to a martini glass) or a coupe glass.
Big batch: To make a batch of 8 cocktails, combine 16 ounces (2 cups) whiskey, 8 ounces (1 cup) sweet vermouth, and 20 dashes bitters in a pitcher. Have ice, glassware, and garnishes on hand so guests can help themselves.
Garnish: Instead of the maraschino cherry, an orange peel is another classic garnish. Some creative mixologists will substitute a lemon peel.
Cherry juice: For extra sweetness, add a splash of maraschino cherry juice.
Shaken, not stirred: For a frothy surface, shake the cocktail with ice in a shaker before straining into a chilled glass.
Brooklyn cocktail: Substitute 1/2 ounce (1 tbsp.) EACH dry vermouth and maraschino liqueur for the sweet vermouth. Substitute Picon bitters for the angostura bitters.
Brandy Manhattan: Substitute brandy for the whiskey (especially popular in Wisconsin and Minnesota).
Cuban Manhattan: Substitute dark rum for the whiskey.
Dry Manhattan: Substitute dry vermouth for the sweet vermouth and substitute a lemon twist for the maraschino cherry.
Perfect Manhattan: Equal parts sweet and dry vermouth.
Rob Roy: Substitute Scotch whisky for the rye whiskey.