Classic Bourbon Manhattan
Say hello to my favorite Manhattan cocktail recipe with bourbon instead of the more traditional rye whiskey. It’s so simple and absolutely delicious! I love Manhattans, and my favorite way to make this classic cocktail at home is with bourbon instead of the traditional rye whiskey. It’s a simple mix of bourbon, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters, creating a sophisticated and delicious drink. If you’re looking for another classic cocktail, check out our old fashioned recipe. Key Ingredients Bourbon: While rye whiskey is the traditional choice for Manhattans, bourbon has become nearly as popular. Since bourbon makes up most of the cocktail, choose one you already enjoy. Four Roses is an excellent and affordable option, while Bulleit is another popular choice. For a special occasion, our friends recommend Woodford Reserve Double Oaked. Ultimately, the best bourbon is the one you love! Sweet Vermouth: This fortified wine balances the bourbon with notes of dried fruit, vanilla, and baking spices. Bitters: Angostura bitters are widely available and a classic choice for Manhattan cocktails. You can also experiment with small-batch bitters, like citrus bitters (orange or grapefruit) or cherry/spiced bitters. Maraschino Cherry: While optional, I always add a maraschino cherry to my Manhattan. My favorite brand is Luxardo. Orange Peel: A twist of orange zest adds a wonderful aroma to the cocktail, which helps to balance the smell of the alcohol. Bourbon: While rye whiskey is the traditional choice for Manhattans, bourbon has become nearly as popular. Since bourbon makes up most of the cocktail, choose one you already enjoy. Four Roses is an excellent and affordable option, while Bulleit is another popular choice. For a special occasion, our friends recommend Woodford Reserve Double Oaked. Ultimately, the best bourbon is the one you love! Sweet Vermouth: This fortified wine balances the bourbon with notes of dried fruit, vanilla, and baking spices. Bitters: Angostura bitters are widely available and a classic choice for Manhattan cocktails. You can also experiment with small-batch bitters, like citrus bitters (orange or grapefruit) or cherry/spiced bitters. Maraschino Cherry: While optional, I always add a maraschino cherry to my Manhattan. My favorite brand is Luxardo. Orange Peel: A twist of orange zest adds a wonderful aroma to the cocktail, which helps to balance the smell of the alcohol. Classic Bourbon Manhattan PREP 5 mins TOTAL 5 mins PREP 5 mins TOTAL 5 mins To make my favorite Manhattan recipe, you only need three main ingredients: bourbon, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters. You can also garnish it with orange peel and a maraschino cherry. Makes 1 drink You Will Need 2 ½ ounces bourbon whiskey 1 ounce sweet vermouth 2 to 3 dashes aromatic bitters, we use Angostura Maraschino cherry, for garnish Orange peel, for garnish Directions 1Fill a martini glass to the brim with ice so it chills while you make the Manhattan. 2Add bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters to a shaker or glass with a few ice cubes, and then stir or gently shake. Do not overdo it; you do not want the ice to water down the drink. 3Discard ice from the martini glass, strain the Manhattan into the chilled glass, and garnish with cherry and orange peel. 1Fill a martini glass to the brim with ice so it chills while you make the Manhattan. 2Add bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters to a shaker or glass with a few ice cubes, and then stir or gently shake. Do not overdo it; you do not want the ice to water down the drink. 3Discard ice from the martini glass, strain the Manhattan into the chilled glass, and garnish with cherry and orange peel. Adam and Joanne's Tips Bitters: I find Angostura bitters at my local liqueur store and in the mixers section of the grocery store. Whiskey: While we used bourbon in this Manhattan recipe, rye whiskey is the more traditional choice. We like our Manhattan sweeter, but if you prefer it more dry/less sweet, use 50:50 sweet vermouth to dry vermouth. The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. Bitters: I find Angostura bitters at my local liqueur store and in the mixers section of the grocery store. Whiskey: While we used bourbon in this Manhattan recipe, rye whiskey is the more traditional choice. We like our Manhattan sweeter, but if you prefer it more dry/less sweet, use 50:50 sweet vermouth to dry vermouth. The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. Nutrition Per Serving Serving Size 1 cocktail / Calories 239 / Protein 0 g / Carbohydrate 6 g / Dietary Fiber 0 g / Total Sugars 5 g / Total Fat 0 g / Saturated Fat 0 g / Cholesterol 0 mg / Sodium 5 mg AUTHOR: Adam Gallagher We’re Adam and Joanne, a couple passionate about cooking and sharing delicious, reliable recipes since 2009. Our goal? To inspire you to get in the kitchen and confidently cook fresh and flavorful meals.More About Us Previous Post: The Best Vegetable Quesadillas Next Post: Homemade Tortilla Chips (Fried or Baked)