Manhattan

Manhattan cocktail

By Mark Hinds | Updated January 28, 2025

The Manhattan is one of those great classic cocktails whose origins are steeped in the hazy stories of drinkers from days gone by. It’s also a cocktail that bartenders love to play with.

Our version uses the classic 2 to 1 rye to vermouth ratio with the addition of a bing cherry to compliment the smokiness of the rye whiskey and is served on a big rock to keep everything ice cold.

In classic Manhattans, the sweet vermouth is the star bringing sweetness and complexity to the cocktail. If you’re interested in a cocktail with less sweetness and more balance try our Perfect Manhattan recipe that uses an equal amount of sweet and dry vermouth.

The drink is normally served neat with a maraschino cherry. Our preference is to serve it with a large globe of ice to keep it cold, without diluting it and to use a cherry that doesn’t make us think of nuclear meltdowns and clowns, let alone nuclear meltdowns caused by clowns.

For recipes like this check out our Classic Cocktail section.

Manhattan cocktail

Manhattan cocktail

5 from 1 vote
Print Save Pin
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail

Ingredients

  • 2 oz rye whiskey
  • 1 oz sweet vermouth
  • 2 dash Angostura bitters
  • 1 Bada Bing cherry

Instructions

  • In a large glass mix good rye whiskey with sweet vermouth and 2 dashes of Angostura bitters. Add ice, stir, and strain into a cocktail glass. 
    Add a large chunk of ice and a Bada Bing cherry to garnish.
Tried this RecipeLet us know what you think of this recipe. Leave your thoughts and rating in the comments.

The nutrition information shown is an estimate based on available ingredients and preparation.

Mark is an experienced food writer, recipe developer, and photographer who is also Umamiโ€™s publisher and CEO. A passionate cook who loves to cook for friends, he can often be found in the kitchen or by the grill testing new recipes.

More Info About Mark Hinds

Learn More

Find more recipes, tips, and ideas about these techniques, ingredients, and cuisines.

Techniques:

Ingredients:

Let us know what you think

Let us know what you think, and share your thoughts with other cooks.

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating