Classic Sophistication: Stirring the Perfect Manhattan
If you’re ready to sip on sophistication, you’re in the right place! The Manhattan is a timeless classic that has earned its place alongside iconic cocktails like the Martini, Aviation, and Old Fashioned—favorites I’ve explored in previous posts. This elegant blend of bourbon, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters delivers a perfectly balanced mix of warmth, sweetness, and spice, making it the ideal choice for a refined evening.
But what makes the Manhattan so special—and how can you perfect it at home?
Let’s embrace the glamour of this classic cocktail and start the new year with style. Forget the shaker; the Manhattan comes to life in a stirring glass, allowing its simple, yet sophisticated ingredients to truly shine.
So, grab your favorite cocktail glass, and let’s shake up tradition (without actually shaking, of course)! I can’t wait to create this iconic drink with you. Cheers to a classic start!
🥘 Ingredients
- Angostura Bitters
These aromatic bitters are the magic touch that brings depth and balance to your Manhattan. If you’re curious about what makes them so special, check out my detailed post about Angostura Bitters. - Bourbon
The star of the show! Choose a quality bourbon that you enjoy sipping on its own—its rich, warm notes will shine in this cocktail. - Sweet Vermouth
This fortified wine adds a hint of sweetness and herbal complexity, perfectly complementing the bourbon and bitters. Opt for a good-quality sweet vermouth for the best results. - A Cherry as Garnish (I used a Maraschino cherry) The finishing touch! A vibrant cherry not only adds visual appeal but also delivers a subtle sweetness with every sip.
See the recipe card for quantities.
🍸 Step-by-Step
🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Add your ingredients.
Start by adding the bourbon, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters—always in that order—to a well-chilled stirring glass.
Step 2: Stir to perfection.
Add ice and stir thoroughly. For the best results, glide your bar spoon along the inside of the stirring glass. This method ensures minimal dilution while chilling the drink to perfection, thanks to the combination of the cold glass and ice.
Step 3: Strain like a pro.
Place a Hawthorn strainer on top to keep the ice in the stirring glass, then strain the cocktail ideally through a fine strainer directly into your pre-chilled cocktail glass.
🍽 Equipment
- Stirring glass
- Measuring tools / Jigger
- Bar spoon
- Hawthorne strainer
- Fine strainer
- Cocktail glass
💭 Top tips
- Why Fine Strain?
Fine straining ensures your Manhattan is perfectly smooth by catching any tiny ice shards or impurities from the stirring process. This step keeps the drink's texture silky and elevates its overall presentation—because every detail matters in a classic cocktail like this! - Fun fact: In the video and images, I completely forgot to use a fine strainer—oops! I’m so sorry about that, folks! Learn from my little mishap and make sure to include this step for the ultimate Manhattan experience. Cheers!
- Which Spirits to Choose?
For the bourbon, pick one with warm caramel, vanilla, and spice notes—think Maker's Mark or Woodford Reserve. For sweet vermouth, go with a high-quality option like Carpano Antica or Dolin Rouge to complement the bitters and bourbon beautifully. Quality ingredients truly make all the difference!
Other Recipes for You to Try
If you make this recipe, let me know how you liked it by ★★★★★ star rating it and leaving a comment below. This would be awesome! You can also sign up for our Newsletter or follow me on Pinterest or Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @combinegoodflavors and hashtag #combinegoodflavors, so I don't miss it.
๐ Recipe
Classic Manhattan Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Hawthorne strainer
- Cocktail Glass
Ingredients
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
- 1 ¾ oz Bourbon
- ½ oz Sweet Vermouth
- Cubed ice for the stirring glass
- 1 Cherry as a garnish. I opted for a Maraschino cherry
Instructions
- Add 2 dashes Angostura Bitters, 1 ¾ oz Bourbon, and ½ oz Sweet Vermouth —in that order—to a well-chilled stirring glass.2 dashes Angostura Bitters, 1 ¾ oz Bourbon, ½ oz Sweet Vermouth
- Add Cubed ice and stir thoroughly. To achieve the perfect chill and minimal dilution, run your bar spoon along the inside of the glass, allowing the ice to gently turn.Cubed ice
- Use a Hawthorn strainer to hold back the ice and strain the cocktail through a fine strainer into your pre-chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with 1 Cherry .1 Cherry
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
⛑️ Food Safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
For further information, check Safe Food Handling - FDA.
Nicole Kendrick says
You can't go wrong with a classic Manhattan! I love that you kept it simple and didn't add in a bunch of fancy ingredients. It's so good and so simple.
Tisha says
Always love a good classic cocktail! This recipe is perfect!