How to Make the Ideal Manhattan Cocktail

So delicious…one of my favorites! And also so expensive (it’s a heavy pour). So why not make it yourself? Let’s get into just that; and not any Manhattan. I present you with the recipe on how to make the ideal Manhattan cocktail.

About the Manhattan

The Manhattan cocktail is a classic drink that has been enjoyed for decades and is enjoying something of a resurgence. It’s made with just a few simple ingredients, but when mixed together in the right proportions, they create a complex and sophisticated flavor that is hard to resist. Here’s a great recipe to make that drink that comes out cold and deeply sweet, but not sugary.

How to Make the Ideal Manhattan Cocktail

1. Gather your ingredients. To make a Manhattan, you’ll need bourbon or rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. Some people like to add a brandied cherry or orange peel for garnish, but these are optional. (I highly recommend one or more brandied cherries). I’ve heard very good things about Antica vermouth.
2. Fill a mixing glass with ice. This will help keep your drink cold as you mix it.
3. Add 2 ounces of bourbon or rye whiskey to the mixing glass.
4. Add 1 ounce of sweet vermouth to the mixing glass.
5. Add a few dashes of bitters to the mixing glass. The exact amount will depend on your personal preference, but a good rule of thumb is to use about 3-4 dashes.
6. Stir the ingredients together until the drink is well-mixed and chilled.
7. Strain the drink into a chilled cocktail glass. If you want to add a brandied cherry or orange peel for garnish, now is the time to do it. For the love of good drinking, don’t serve the cocktail over ice. Rather, strain it and serve it “straight up” in a glass that looks like a Martini glass but with a rounded bottom.
8. Sit back and enjoy your perfectly mixed Manhattan cocktail!

Extra Tips

• Be sure to use good-quality ingredients. Cheap whiskey or vermouth will ruin the flavor of your drink.
• Experiment with different ratios of ingredients to find the perfect balance of sweet and sour for your taste. Some people like a drier Manhattan with more whiskey and less vermouth, while others prefer a sweeter drink with more vermouth.
• Use good-quality ice to keep your drink cold without diluting it too much. Conceivably, you could use one of those big ice cubes or big ice balls frequently seen with Old Fashioneds. 
• Don’t be afraid to play around with the recipe. Some people like to add a little extra sweetness by using a cherry liqueur or a splash of grenadine. Others like to use a different type of bitters, like Angostura or Peychaud’s, to add an extra layer of flavor to their Manhattan.

Summing It Up

That’s it; how to make the ideal Manhattan cocktail! Get great-quality ingredients, experiment, and enjoy! I leave you with a video recipe, for your drinking pleasure: