• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Sidewalk Shoes

Browse hundreds of healthy recipes, tasty cocktails and travel reviews to help you live your best life. From hotel and restaurant reviews to travel tips and family dinners you can do it, I'll show you how!

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Cocktails
      • Bourbon
      • Brandy
      • Campari
      • Gin
      • Infusions
      • Liqueurs
      • Rum
      • Sparkling Wine
      • Tequila
      • Vermouth
      • Vodka
    • Food
    • All Recipes
  • Travels
    • North Carolina
    • Oregon
    • Tennessee
  • Cats
  • About
    • About me
    • Contact Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
You are here: Home / Cocktails / Whiskey / The Classic Manhattan Cocktail

The Classic Manhattan Cocktail

By Pam Greer 16 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Full disclosure on sidebar.

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 1/2 sweet vermouth and 1/2 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
5 from 8 votes
Print

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 173 kcal

Ingredients

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

Instructions

  1. Fill a cocktail mixing glass halfway up with ice. 

  2. Add whiskey, vermouth, and bitters.  Stir to combine. 

  3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. 

Recipe Notes

While a rye whiskey is classic, you can also use Canadian whisky, bourbon, blended whiskey, and Tennessee Whiskey.  

Use 1/2 ounce sweet vermouth and 1/2 ounce dry vermouth to make a Perfect Manhattan. 

Nutrition Facts
Classic Manhattan Cocktail
Amount Per Serving
Calories 173
% Daily Value*
Total Carbohydrates 2g 1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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

Filed Under: Beverage Recipes, Bourbon, Cocktails, Recipes, Vermouth, Whiskey

About Pam Greer

Pam Greer can be found at her foodie (and wine, and books, and cats) blog: Sidewalk Shoes, at her professional photography business: Pamela Greer Photography, at her daily photography blog: Pamela Greer 365. By the time you've read this, she has probably started another site.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tina M Culbertson says

    October 19, 2018 at 4:22 pm


    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


    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


    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


    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
  5. Carmy says

    October 15, 2018 at 4:44 pm


    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


    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


    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


    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 *

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

Primary Sidebar

About me photo
Yellow bowl filled with chicken

Instant Pot Recipes

Instant Pot Pork Lettuce Wraps

Instant Pot Pork Lettuce Wraps

Instant Pot Frittata with Spinach and Mushrooms

Instant Pot Frittata with Spinach and Mushrooms

Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Black Beans and Coconut Rice

Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Black Beans and Coconut Rice

Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats with Maple Syrup

Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats with Maple Syrup

More

Archives

Click here to sign up to receive email updates! You can choose to receive all or pick your interests!

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

Collage of featured logos

Copyright © 2019 Sidewalk Shoes