Manhattan

One of the classics.

I’ve had a lot of Manhattans, home made and at bars. Based on all the “data points” I’ve gathered, this recipe makes for the best one, as do the recommended ingredients below.

The traditional way to prepare a manhattan is to stir it in a mixing glass and strain it into a coupe. However, I always have it rocks and my mixing is rather… minimalist.

2 oz bourbon
1 oz sweet vermouth
1 bar spoon brandied cherry juice
2 dash bitters
1 brandied cherry

Pour ingredients in double rocks glass with a big ice cube, stir.

Ingredients you should use to make the best Manhattan

Bourbon • Buffalo Trace

Vermouth • If you can get your hands on Cocci, stock up as if the world is ending and use that as your vermouth. The Martini Special Edition is pretty good too.

Brandied cherries • I swear by Jack Rudy’s cocktail cherries.

For the bitters • Angostura bitters will work, but I like using ones with a hint of spice, like the old fashioned Dashfire bitters or Bittercube blackstrap bitters.

If you like this, you’ll probably also like
Rob Roy • scotch, sweet vermouth
Old Fashioned • bourbon