Manhattan recipe
Bourbon, sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters, stirred over ice in a martini glass, garnished with a maraschino cherry.
By Kris Barton · Updated - 2 mins total
- 4 ingredients
- Martini glass
What Ingredients do you need to make a Manhattan?
Bourbon
Bourbon is a type of Whiskey. It was created in America and is a barrel-aged distilled liquor that’s made primarily from corn.
The name Bourbon originates from the French Bourbon Dynasty, but how this type of American whiskey got that name is up for debate.
Major contenders include:
- Bourbon Street in New Orleans
- Bourbon County in Kentucky
…with the latter the reason why Bourbon is so closely connected to Kentucky.
Interestingly, by law, Bourbon sold in the US must be produced in the US, be made from at least 51% corn, and stored in a container of charred oak.
For Bourbon, we recommend:
Vermouth
Vermouth is an aromatic fortified wine that’s flavoured with various botanicals and is sometimes coloured.
Traditionally, Vermouth was used for medicinal purposes (we’ve heard that one before, am I right guys?) but was later served as an aperitif in fashionable Turin cafes in the mid to late 18th century.
By the 19th century, it’d become popular with bartenders in the creation of fancy cocktails such as the Martini, the Manhattan and the Rob Roy, and later the Negroni.
Angostura Bitters
Angostura bitters is a concentrated bitters (aka a herbal alcoholic preparation) based on gentian (a plant with a bitter root), herbs, and spices.
It’s produced by the House of Angostura in Trinidad and Tobago and is called Angostura as it was created in the town of Angostura in Venezuela.
Angostura Bitters are typically used for flavouring drinks, and the House of Angostura also makes orange bitters.
For Angostura Bitters, we recommend:
Cocktails with Angostura Bitters
Maraschino Cherries
Maraschino Cherries are preserved, sweetened cherries that are regularly used as a garnish in a variety of different cocktails.
In short, they can make a cocktail pop.
For Maraschino Cherries, we recommend:
What Equipment do you need to make a Manhattan?
Mixing Glass
If you have a cocktail recipe that calls for the mix to be stirred, rather than shaken, then a Mixing Glass is the way to go.
Why? Because it’s easier to stir and pour the mix, by design. Also, it’s cooler.
For a Mixing Glass, we recommend:
Cocktail Glass
This cocktail recipe tastes great, but let’s make it look great too.
Having the right glass for the right cocktail always makes the experience more enjoyable in my experience.
And the right glass is a cocktail glass.
We recommend:
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Recipe card
Manhattan
- Prep
- 1 min
- Making
- 1 min
- Total
- 2 mins
- Serves
- 1
- Glass
- Martini glass
Ingredients
Makes 1 drink.
Method
- Add bourbon, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters to a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir.
- Strain into a martini glass.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
Want more like this? Browse our full collection of classic cocktails.
Manhattan FAQs
What Ingredients do you need to make a Manhattan?
To make a Manhattan, you need 60ml / 2oz bourbon, 30ml / 1oz sweet vermouth and 2 dashes of Angostura bitters, plus maraschino cherry to garnish. There’s more about bourbon, vermouth, Angostura bitters and maraschino cherries above.
What Equipment do you need to make a Manhattan?
You’ll need a mixing glass and a cocktail glass.
What alcohol is in a Manhattan?
A Manhattan contains 60ml / 2oz bourbon and 30ml / 1oz sweet vermouth.
Is a Manhattan shaken or stirred?
A Manhattan is stirred, not shaken. Stir it with ice in a mixing glass, then strain it into a martini glass.
What glass is a Manhattan served in?
Serve a Manhattan in a martini glass.
How do you garnish a Manhattan?
Garnish a Manhattan with a maraschino cherry.
How do I make a Manhattan for a group?
The recipe makes one drink. Multiply every measure by the number of drinks you want: for 4, you’d need 240ml bourbon, 120ml sweet vermouth and 8 dashes of Angostura bitters.
