How to Make a Classic Manhattan

The Manhattan is one of the most famous cocktails of all time. As Rico, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador, explains, it’s “An easy drink to make but a difficult drink to master.”

Its allure transcends generations, making it a favorite in upscale lounges and trendy bars. But, make no mistake, its appeal extends beyond these external settings. So, if you want to elevate your dinner parties and infuse sophistication into your evenings, this is your drink.

The fact is, no matter where it’s served, the Manhattan continues to captivate discerning palates decade after decade and remains a symbol of refined indulgence and sophistication.

How to Make a Manhattan Cocktail

What You’ll Need

• Mixing Glass
• Bar Spoon
• Cocktail Glass or Martini Glass
• Jigger or Measuring Instrument
• Julep Strainer

Got a question about any of the bartender tools above? Read our guide!

How to Mix

1. Pour Sweet Vermouth followed by Bitters and Rye Whiskey into your Mixing Glass. 
2. Add Ice Cubes then stir using a Bar Spoon.
3. Use a Julep Strainer to strain the contents into a Cocktail Glass.
4. Garnish with a Maraschino Cherry.

What is a Manhattan Cocktail?

A renowned cocktail revered as one of the most famous drinks of all time and has become a staple in cocktail culture. Originating in the late 19th century and becoming a cornerstone of cocktail culture, this spirit-forward cocktail has secured its place as a timeless classic with its enduring popularity. 

Although the Manhattan has an undeniable allure and association with all that’s elegant, you shouldn’t let this intimidate you. No, it’s a surprisingly easy to make cocktail, with just three key ingredients. Of course, the key to crafting and mastering a great Manhattan lies in the quality of the ingredients and making sure they marry together.

What Does a Manhattan Cocktail Taste Like?

Being a spirit-forward cocktail, you get all the flavors and aromas of the Rye Whisky, the flavors and aromas of the sweet Vermouth rich, complex flavor profile.

The History of the Manhattan Cocktail

Like many other cocktails, the history of this drink is surrounded by various stories and fables, but none of them can be confirmed.

Considered one of the first modern cocktails, some of the earliest records of the drink can be found in two cocktail books written in 1884.

The most widely believed story is that the drink was created at a club in New York City in the mid-1870s for a banquet held in honor of presidential candidate at the time, and its popularity led to it being referred to as “the Manhattan cocktail.”

However, there are earlier references to similar cocktails in the Manhattan area, with one account attributing its invention to a bartender named Black in the 1860s at a bar near Broadway and Houston Street. The Manhattan is, in fact, one of the five cocktails named after a New York City borough and is closely related to The Brooklyn.

Transcending generations, the Manhattan is a timeless drink that has deserved its place as a staple in cocktail culture.

Tips for Making the Classic Manhattan Cocktail

• Stir Until Ice Cold
  Rico recommends stirring the drink until ice-cold and you achieve “the perfect dilution”. What’s the perfect dilution? The perfect dilution is when you taste it and, well, you like it.

• No Dry Vermouth
  A tip from Rico: “Don’t use Dry Vermouth in your Manhattan – just don’t. Just drink it with Sweet (Vermouth). That’s how it should be done.”

• Stirred, Never Shaken
  To avoid foaming, a Manhattan should always be stirred, not shaken.

• Avoid Ice in your Drink
  You don’t want any Ice in your drink, so use a Julep Strainer to strain the contents from your Mixing Glass into your Cocktail Glass.

Variations of a Manhattan Cocktail

• Apple Manhattan
  For this variation, we use Bourbon instead of Rye Whiskey and replace the Sweet Vermouth and Cherry garnish with Apple Liqueur and an Apple garnish. The blend of sweet Bourbon and the tartness of the Apple Liqueur is a match made in heaven. Discover our Apple Manhattan recipe.

• Caramel Manhattan
  Imagine mixing Irish Whiskey with Pineapple Juice, Caramel Syrup, Sweet Vermouth, a dash of Bitters and garnished with a Pineapple Wedge. Sounds heavenly, huh? You’re going to love our Caramel Manhattan recipe.

• Champagne Manhattan
  Use Orange Bitters and add some deliciously crisp Champagne to your Manhattan while leaving off the Cherry garnish and you’ve got yourself one playful and oh-so-elegant drink. Check out our recipe for a Champagne Manhattan.

• Cuban Manhattan
  How about adding a Cuban flair to your drink? Swap the Rye Whiskey for Cuban Rum and replace the Cherry with an Orange Twist for a taste that will have your tastebuds dancing the salsa! Let us show you how to make a Cuban Manhattan.

• Latin Manhattan
  Love the rhyme, love the taste. Like the Cuban Manhattan above, this drink uses Cuban Rum instead of Rye Whiskey but everything else stays the same as a classic Manhattan. Discover our recipe for a Latin Manhattan.

• Mr. Manhattan
  Here’s another great variation that uses Gin in place of Rye Whiskey plus Orange Juice, a dash of Lemon Juice and Mint Leaves for a unique and tasty twist. Here’s how to make a Mr. Manhattan cocktail.

• The Comfort Manhattan
  Replace Rye Whiskey with Peach-Flavored Bourbon and you’ve got a deliciously peachy Comfort Manhattan. Here’s how to make The Comfort Manhattan cocktail.

Serving and Garnish Ideas for a Manhattan

As you’ll see in the video above, Rico uses a Martini Glass as his Manhattan cocktail glass of choice. While the names Cocktail Glass and Martini Glass are often used interchangeably, a Martini Glass is, in fact, slightly larger, with a more tapered rather than rounded shape, features a longer stem, and has a wider rim. The choice is yours!

The garnish is where you can get a little creative with your Manhattan. Sure, you can use simple Cocktail Cherries, but we recommend garnishing with Maraschino Cherries. 

Don’t have Maraschino Cherries at home? Make your own! As Rico explains, “You can also just use fresh Cherries but soak them for 24 hours in a solution of Simple Syrup and alcohol and you’ll end up making your own Maraschino Cherries.” Voila!

Garnish with a single Cherry dropped straight into your drink.

Now that’s how to drink a Manhattan cocktail!