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You make a Manhattan by combining Rye Whiskey, Vermouth and Angostura Bitters.
Wanna know how to make a Manhattan? We’ve got ya covered!
A Manhattan is a super easy cocktail that combines Whiskey, Sweet Red Vermouth, and Angostura Bitters.
Let me tell you: it packs quite a punch!
In this recipe, you’re going to learn:
…and a whole lot more.
Let’s dive right in.
How to Make a Manhattan
Making a Manhattan is super easy. It’s a cocktail containing just 3 ingredients and you don’t even need a cocktail shaker for this one.
Let’s take a look at the recipe.
Manhattan Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- Rye Whiskey 50ml / 1.7oz.
- Sweet Red Vermouth 20ml / 0.7oz.
- A dash of Angostura Bitters
- a Marachino Cherry
Recipe
- Add Ice, Rye Whiskey, Sweet Red Vermouth, and Angostura Bitters to a Cocktail Glass.
- Garnish with a Marachino Cherry.
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Email to a FriendSo now we know how to make a Manhattan, here’s an infographic of the recipes you can save to your device.
How to Make a Manhattan Infographic
Here’s our How to Make a Manhattan Infographic. Feel free to share it or save it for later use (right click, save image as…).
How Many Calories are in a Manhattan?
For those concerned about how a Manhattan is going to affect your waistline, let’s take a look at the Calorie count.
What You Need to Make a Manhattan
Now let’s take a look at everything you need to make a Manhattan and our recommendations.
First up, Rye Whiskey.
Rye Whiskey
If you’re not exactly sure what the difference is between Rye Whiskey and regular Whiskey, let me break it down for ya.
Rye Whiskey is a Whiskey that, by law, must be distilled by at least 51 percent Rye grain.
Okay cool…so which Rye Whiskey should I use for to make a Manhattan?
Let’s take a look at some great options.
Sazerac Straight Rye Whisky
Sazerac Straight is a great Rye Whiskey, but it’s on the expensive side. You can pick up a 75cl bottle for £37.15 on amazon and I haven’t been able to find it anywhere cheaper.
But I think this is a case of “you get what you pay for” that regular Whiskey drinkers will tell you is dead-on right.
On Amazon, Sazerac Straight as a rating of 4.7 out of 5 with 28 reviews, which is pretty decent.
One reviewer said:
“I bought this rye as it was on a deal and I wasn’t disappointed! This is now one of my favourite rye’s to use in cocktails. Great balance of flavour and value for money. Personally, I believe it makes an amazing old fashioned.“
Knob Creek Straight
Knob Creek Straight is another great Rye Whiskey to consider. It’s a little more expensive than Sazerac Straight at £39.49 on Amazon and that’s for 70cl bottle rather than a 75cl bottle.
Knob Creek has a 4.5 rating out 5 on Amazon from 48 reviews and seems to be a hit with the straight Whiskey drinkers who have purchased it.
However, despite a lot people really liking Knob Creek I don’t think it’s a great fit for cocktails.
The taste is strong and harsh, much harsher than some of the alternatives. And I think that really affects the taste of cocktails when using Knob Creek as a base.
Jim Beam Pre-Prohibition Style Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Jim Beam is a brand I love to make cocktails with. I think the flavour of the regular Bourbon really enhances cocktails. Even more so when they released Red Stag.
…Jim Beam’s Rye Whiskey is no exception to this rule. It’s great in cocktails.
Jim Beam Rye Whiskey costs just £24.90 for a 70cl bottle and it’s got great ratings too. Out of 284 reviews, it has a 4.6 out of 5 rating.
One reviewer said:
“I love rye much more than standard bourbon. Less sweet and a bit more spice usually. This is a good one for the price. Either neat or with the mixer of your choice.“
Verdict
I think for the price there is one clear winner on the Rye Whiskey front: Jim Beam Rye Whiskey.
It’s:
- The cheapest option.
- It has a great rating.
- It’s the most reviewed Rye Whiskey out of the bunch.
- The flavour works well mixed in cocktails.
Vermouth
For Vermouth, we recommend Cinzano Rosso Vermouth. Why?
- It’s made by a very famous brand, so quality is assured.
- It’s available for a very reasonable price compared to other brands of Vermouth.
- It’s got great ratings on Amazon.
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Angostura Bitters
For Angostura Bitters, we recommend:
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Maraschino Cherries
Maraschino Cherries are used to garnish a good number of cocktails and are great to add a little colour to your mix.
They come in jars and last forever too. Good to have in your cupboard if you regularly make cocktails.
We recommend:
Cocktail Glasses
Manhattan’s can be served in any glass you like, but traditionally, a cocktail glass is used.
Cocktail glasses add a little class to the cocktail. Even when you’re drinking them in your dressing gown on the couch…
…Or so I’m told.
ANYWAY, We recommend:
The History of the Manhattan
Now that we know how to make a Manhattan, let’s take a look at the history of the cocktail.
The Manhattan Cocktail was created in 1874 in the Manhattan Club, New York.
The inventor was a man by the name of Dr. Iain Marshall. He invented it especially for a banquet hosted by a woman called Jennie Jermone.
…Otherwise known as Lady Randolph Churchill, the mother of Winston Churchill.
The banquet was very successful and its success rippled through all the right social channels. As a result, the cocktail became popular and was dubbed “The Manhattan” after the club in which it was conceived.
Or so THIS story goes.
Like most cocktail origin stories, there is some debate.
According to one source, the Manhattan was actually created in the 1860’s by a man named Black.
This suggested origin story comes from a book by the name of Valentine’s Manual of New York. The book was published in 1923 and in the book, a bartender by the name of William F. Mulhall who was working in the Hoffman House, New York in the 1880s wrote:
“The Manhattan cocktail was invented by a man named Black who kept a place 10 doors below Houston Street on Broadway in the [eighteen] sixties – probably the most famous drink in the world in its time.”
I think it’s safe to say whoever actually invented the cocktail, it was The Manhattan Club’s banquet that took the cocktail’s popularity to the next level.
Pretty cool origin story, right?
Here’s another couple of cool cocktail origin stories that are equally as cool:
- The Ultimate Moscow Mule Recipe
- How to Make an Espresso Martini
- How to Make a Margarita
- How to Make Pornstar Martini
Summary
So, what have we covered in this article?
- How to make a Manhattan.
- What you need to make a Manhattan.
- The history of the Manhattan.
- Plus there’s a cool infographic on how to make a Manhattan as a bonus too.
Want More Cocktail Recipes?
Now that you’ve learned how to make a Manhattan, do you wanna try more cocktail recipes?
You should take a look at our cocktail recipe hub. Here you’ll find 100+ cocktail recipes for you to try. For Free.
Further Reading
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_(cocktail)
- https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-strangely-cool-origin-story-of-the-manhattan
- https://tastecocktails.com/the-history-of-the-manhattan-cocktail/
- https://www.sfgate.com/wine/article/The-Manhattan-project-A-bartender-spills-his-2502224.php#item-85307-tbla-1
