Classic Bourbon Manhattan Cocktail

🥃 What makes this recipe special?

If you are into cocktails, you know people have opinions about what makes a great drink. I have my opinions, too. Some people love a good rye Manhattan, and I am not opposed, but I love bourbon for a perfect Manhattan. 

I also have some pretty strong opinions about the cherries in my Manhattans. That said, I have been known to enjoy all sorts of different ingredients in a cocktail like the classic Manhattan. This booze forward sweet cocktail is a great drink for anybody that wants to get into cocktails.

This recipe shares my opinion on what makes a perfect Manhattan and gives you a base for finding the cocktail that is perfect for you. If you are looking for other classic cocktails, check out this perfect margarita recipe, grasshopper cocktail, or classic bloody mary cocktail. Whatever you drink tonight, make sure to treat yourself!

🍒 Ingredients

Use a clear shot of the ingredients for this recipe, prepped, and labeled if necessary. Insert the ingredients into the list below, omitting quantities.

• Ice
• Whiskey
• Sweet Vermouth 
• Bitters
• Maraschino Cherries 

See the recipe card for quantities.

Ice

I tend to use two kinds of ice for making a manhattan. First, what I put in the ice shaker. This is the general ice I use from a tray. Then, the ice in the glass.

For the serving glass, I use a single block of ice with the tray I mentioned down in the Products I Use section, but this is up to you. Some like to go all out and make perfectly clear ice spheres, while others are happy with the ice from their fridge door.

Whiskey

For this recipe I am using Maker's Mark, but sky is the limit on this. One thing I really like about bourbon is that it doesn't need to be 50 years old for it to be great. Some really nice bourbons are young and reachable by everybody.

Particularly since we sweeten this cocktail up with cherries, sweet vermouth, and flavor it with bitters, this cocktail can be forgiving on the brand of whiskey you use. 

Of course, your final product is going to reflect the kind of whiskey you use, but there are many affordable options for making a wonderful Manhattan cocktail.

Sweet Vermouth

We tend to have two brands of vermouth in our liquor cabinet. Martini and Rosso and Noilly Prat. Both are fine for a Bourbon Manhattan, but use what you like. 

Bitters

We always have a few bottles of bitters around, but the winner for a Manhattan is a good, classic Angastora Bitter.

Maraschino Cherries

Luxardo is a great brand for Manhattan cocktails. In fact, when I order a Manhattan out in the wild, I will make a judgment on their bar based on the cherry I get.

No real hate on the bright red zombie cherries, but if I get a Manhattan with one out in the wild, the next drink will likely be a beer. Luxardo, for me, is the gateway to great cocktail cherries.

🍲 Instructions

I use a shaker as a mixing container. No shaking going on here. Add ice, bourbon, vermouth, and bitters to the shaker. Stir with a mixing spoon.

Pour into a lowball glass with ice. Garnish with cherries and serve. 

🤷 Substitutions and variations

There are so many ways to change this drink up. From the bitters you use to the whiskey, there are many ways to make a Manhattan that can make them your drink.

Maybe try flavored bitters. Perhaps a different kind of bourbon or rye that you like. The variations of this drink are endless, but remember that your ingredients will impact your final product.

Some serve the Manhattan without ice at all and I think that is a completely legitamate way to serve this classic cocktail.

Whatever the history actually is, its a great cocktail.

❓ FAQ

📝 Tips and tricks

• The ingredients you use for your Manhattan cocktail is a fun way to make the drink your own.
• Luxardo cherries are great for this drink.

🛠 Products used in this recipe

• Whiskey Ice Cube Tray
• Cocktail Shaker
• Lowball Glasses

😋 Did you make this recipe?

That is awesome, and thank you so much for giving this classic bourbon Manhattan a try. If you could leave a rating in the comment area below, it would be greatly appreciated. This lets me know how I am doing and also helps others decide if they want to make this recipe. Most of all, thanks for visiting Ramshackle Pantry.