Manhattan Recipe: Rye Whiskey, Vermouth & Bitters
Make a Manhattan with rye whiskey, sweet red vermouth and aromatic bitters. This guide sets out the classic measurements and explains the key choices.
Make a Manhattan with rye whiskey, sweet red vermouth and aromatic bitters. This guide sets out the classic measurements and explains the key choices.
In this guide
Manhattan Recipe: Rye Whiskey, Vermouth & Bitters
Ingredients
- 50ml rye whiskey
- 20ml sweet red vermouth
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- Ice for stirring
- Cocktail cherry, to garnish
Method
- Add the whiskey, vermouth and bitters to a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir until well chilled.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a cocktail cherry.
Rye, bourbon and the character of the drink
This specification uses rye whiskey. Bourbon can be used as a deliberate variation, but its flavour will change the result. Compare bottles at the same ratio before changing the vermouth measure, so you can tell which ingredient is making the difference.
Sweet vermouth is part of the structure
Sweet red vermouth contributes more than sweetness: it brings wine and herbal flavours that connect the whiskey and bitters. Dry vermouth is not a like-for-like substitute. Keep opened vermouth according to its producer’s storage advice and taste it before using it in a short drink.
Why stir a Manhattan?
The ingredients combine without the vigorous mixing needed for fruit juice. Stirring with ice cools and dilutes the drink while keeping its texture smooth. A chilled serving glass helps maintain that temperature after the mixing ice is strained away.
Manhattan or Martini?
The Manhattan is whiskey-led, while a classic dry Martini combines gin and dry vermouth. They share a glass style and stirring technique, but their ingredients and flavours are different. Compare with the gin Martini recipe rather than treating the names as interchangeable.
Costing this drink for a menu
Add the cost of each measure, mixer and garnish, then allow for your actual wastage. The cocktail menu price calculator shows how those costs, a GP target and VAT combine. The example target is editable; choose one that fits your own venue.
Recipe reference
International Bartenders Association: Manhattan. The recipe above uses this published specification; the surrounding notes explain practical choices and variations.
