• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sidewalk Shoes
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Food Recipes Index
    • Cocktails Recipes Index
    • All Recipes
  • Lifestyle
    • Gardening
    • Travels
      • North Carolina
      • Oregon
      • Tennessee
  • Cats
  • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Food
  • Cocktails
  • Collections
  • Travels
  • Cats
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Cocktails » Whiskey

    The Classic Manhattan Cocktail

    LAST UPDATED: October 15, 2018 PUBLISHED: October 15, 2018 By Pam Greer 18 Comments As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    The Classic Manhattan Cocktail is an old school cocktail that never goes out of style.  The blend of whiskey, vermouth, and bitters is easy to make and easy to drink!

    Post may contain affiliate links, full disclosure on side bar.

    Click here to pin this Classic Manhattan now! 

    Manhattan cocktail with bottles in the background.

    What is a Classic Manhattan Cocktail?

    While cocktails grow fancier and more complicated by the day - Bourbon with Orange-Thyme Syrup and Roasted Cherry Splash.  I made that up, but you get what I'm taking about!  Sometimes I want fancy and sometimes I want to get back into my rat pack groove and sip a classic.  This time it was a Manhattan.

    The history of the Manhattan is kind of murky.  It shows up as early as the 1860's.  According to Wikipedia:A Manhattan is a cocktail made with whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. Commonly used whiskeys include rye (the traditional choice), Canadian whiskey, bourbon, blended whiskey and Tennessee Whiskey.

    Bottle of Willett Rye Whiskey with a Manhattan Cocktail next to it.

    Variation of a Manhattan Cocktail

    Even though the Manhattan is a classic just the way it is, it's approach can be easily varied.  Some stir, some shake.  Some use rye and some use bourbon or Canadian Whisky.  You can also change up the bitters, using your own homemade bitters (which I am planning on trying), add some maraschino cherry juice, or even switch out the vermouth.

    A Perfect Manhattan is an easy variation - instead of using one vermouth you use ½ sweet vermouth and ½ dry vermouth.

    There are lots of variations on the Manhattan:  A Rob Roy, A Dry Manhattan, A Perfect Manhattan, A Brandy Manhattan, A Metropolitan, A Cuban Manhattan, a Tijuana Manhattan, and one of my favorites The Fourth Regiment!  The possibilities are endless!

    For our Manhattan, we chose Willet Straight Rye Whiskey.

    Manhattan cocktail in front of bottles with text overlay reading How to Make a Classic Manhattan

    How to Make a Classic Manhattan Cocktail

    Who doesn't love an easy 4 ingredient cocktail, especially when one of those ingredients is the garnish!  Making a Classic Manhattan Cocktail is so easy!

    Fill a cocktail mixing glass halfway with ice and add rye whiskey (or bourbon or Canadian Whiskey), sweet vermouth, and a couple of dashes of Angostura Bitters.  Stir.  Strain into a chilled cocktails glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry.

    Looking for more Whiskey Cocktails:

    Cocktail glass next to cocktail stirrers

    Add a little bit of fall flavor with this Maple Manhattan!

    cocktail with thermos and apples.

    How about you work your way through these 15 Apple Cocktails to Make Right now!

    cocktail being poured into a glass garnished with rosemary sprigs.

    Perfect for parties!  Everyone loves this Apple Rosemary Whiskey Cocktail!

    Classic Manhattan Cocktail
    Print Pin Save Saved!
    5 from 43 votes

    Classic Manhattan Cocktail

    This Classic Manhattan Cocktail is a classic for a reason!  So easy to make and so easy to sip! 
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes
    Servings 1
    Calories 173kcal

    Ingredients

    • 2 ounces rye whiskey
    • 1 ounce sweet vermouth
    • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
    • Maraschino Cherry for garnish

    Instructions

    • Fill a cocktail mixing glass halfway up with ice. 
    • Add whiskey, vermouth, and bitters.  Stir to combine. 
    • Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. 

    Notes

    While a rye whiskey is classic, you can also use Canadian whisky, bourbon, blended whiskey, and Tennessee Whiskey.  
    Use ½ ounce sweet vermouth and ½ ounce dry vermouth to make a Perfect Manhattan. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 173kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g

    I would love it if you would follow me on Pinterest | Instagram | Facebook

    More Whiskey Cocktails

    • How to Make Orange Whiskey
    • How to Make a Classic Old Fashioned
    • How to Make a Japanese Highball
    • 9 Blackberry Cocktails that are Bursting with Flavor!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tina M Culbertson says

      October 19, 2018 at 4:22 pm

      5 stars
      I haven't had a Manhattan in ages I'm a seasonal drinker so I guess that time is coming up. Love your glassware.

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        October 20, 2018 at 1:15 pm

        Yes, it's time to switch to fall cocktails!

        Reply
    2. Cheryl Crotty says

      October 16, 2018 at 8:42 pm

      5 stars
      I love to get a Manhatten every once in awhile. It's a break out drink for me... I"m usually a wine drinker. In the winter, on cold Sunday, with a fire going and a good book, this is my drink. I must add a cherry this year.

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        October 17, 2018 at 7:06 am

        Definitely add the cherry!

        Reply
    3. Carla Simpson says

      October 16, 2018 at 7:35 am

      5 stars
      This was my parents' favorite cocktail. They drank these in the evening "cocktail hour" and made them for their bridge parties. During these parties, after drinking one or two, they switched to drinking iced tea. Their bridge opponents, who continued to drink Manhattans, could never figure out why my parents always won! We have laughed about this often! Thanks for reminding me of a sweet memory!

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        October 16, 2018 at 10:52 am

        What a great story!! I love it!

        Reply
    4. Jill says

      October 15, 2018 at 4:58 pm

      5 stars
      A manhattan is one of my favorite drinks to order out. I'm just over the border of Kentucky so I usually have mine with bourbon. But all bourbon is whiskey, right? I'll have to finally try making a manhattan at home thanks to your inspiration!

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        October 16, 2018 at 10:53 am

        Yes, definitely try making them at home - they are so easy!

        Reply
        • Jeremy says

          December 10, 2020 at 7:18 pm

          5 stars
          My parents drank a Manhattan nearly every evening when I was a kid. It wasn’t long before my dad taught me to make them (for them, not for me!), and it was exactly the proportions you have here. I would always steal a cherry for myself.

        • Pam Greer says

          December 12, 2020 at 9:37 am

          Your parents sound so classy! I think we need to bring back cocktail hour at home!

    5. Carmy says

      October 15, 2018 at 4:44 pm

      5 stars
      Great post! I've never made a classic manhattan at home so this is super helpful! Thanks for sharing. Just in time for the holidays!

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        October 16, 2018 at 10:53 am

        It's perfect for the holidays!

        Reply
    6. Katie says

      October 15, 2018 at 3:45 pm

      5 stars
      I love knowing how to make the classic drinks- it makes me feel like a real bartender- and the manhattan is a classic! Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        October 15, 2018 at 4:05 pm

        It's so easy too!

        Reply
    7. Elaine says

      October 15, 2018 at 3:41 pm

      5 stars
      I know a group who would love this classic. Thanks for a great recipe and simple instructions!

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        October 15, 2018 at 4:05 pm

        It's such a simple cocktail, but so great!

        Reply
    8. Kelly Anthony says

      October 15, 2018 at 3:32 pm

      5 stars
      Everyone should have a recipe for this classic! I can't wait for all the holiday cocktail parties to pull this bad boy out! Thanks for the recipe 🙂

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        October 15, 2018 at 3:34 pm

        It's a classic for a reason!! So good!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Pam Greer from Sidewalk Shoes

    Hi, I'm Pam. I'm the person who plans whole vacations around where to eat and drink. Beautiful scenery is optional.

    More about me →

    Featured in:

    Collage of website titles

    Click here to subscribe to my newsletter.

    Slow Cooker Recipes!

    • Slow Cooker Beef and Sweet Potato Chili
    • Slow Cooker Pinto Beans with Beef and Bacon
    • Slow Cooker Vegetarian Lasagna
    • Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole

    See more More Slow Cooker Recipes →

    Instant Pot Recipes

    • Instant Pot Pineapple Rice
    • Instant Pot Asian Pork Noodle Soup
    • Instant Pot Green Beans with Bacon and Mushrooms
    • Instant Pot Pumpkin Pie Steel Cut Oats

    See more Instant Pot Recipes →

    Sidewalk Shoes is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About Me
    • Contact me!

    Copyright © 2022 Sidewalk Shoes