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This classic bourbon Manhattan recipe is dedicated to my friend, Alex, in Maine, who loves the co*cktail’s delightfully sweet taste when the bourbon and vermouth are properly balanced.
One day on Facebook, I asked the question: What co*cktail do you want to see me make for the blog? I got some good answers and the one I chose for this week was the delightful bourbon Manhattan co*cktail. When Alex proposed this recipe, I had already posted two variations of the Manhattan: whiskeyand a Southern Comfort, so I asked him if he still wanted this perfect Manhattan.
He said yes.
So here it is!I love a good classic Manhattan and so did my mom so I always think of her when I make this classic co*cktail.
I didn’t always like the taste of this co*cktail. My two co*cktails are the Cadillac margarita and the dirty martini.
What changed my mind was the show Mad Men. They drank so much bourbon, I had to go to the liquor store to pick up a bourbon nip (two ounce bottle). I poured it out and watched one of the episodes and that’s what started my love of making bourbon whiskey drinks like this one.
If you want to learn more about bourbon, read my comprehensive guide here.
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Helpful tips
- Although I like to use a co*cktail shaker, you can also place the ingredients in a mixing glass and stir it with a co*cktail spoon.
- Buy the best bourbon you can afford for this co*cktail because in a co*cktail like this since there are basically only 2 ingredients which means you can more easily taste the difference.
- If you can, get some fun bitters.I purchased Woodford Reserve flavored bitters.The package arrived with 4 different flavors: spiced cherry, orange, aromatic and chocolate. I’ve used them all and they’re delightful, but my favorite is spiced cherry. This recipe calls for 5 drops for two co*cktails, but I usually use 10 for two drinks. You need to play around with the amount of bitters to see what suits you.
- If you don’t have fancy bitters, it’s perfectly fine to use Angostura or an orange bitters.
- You can serve this Manhattan straight up or on the rocks. I like mine straight up and served in a martini glass. My mother used to drink her Manhattans on the rocks.
- Whenever I use maraschino cherries as garnish, I rinse them off so the juice they are stored in doesn’t infiltrate the co*cktail.
- If you’d like to, you can garnish this drink with an orange peel, but I like it with just a maraschino cherry.
How to make the bourbon Manhattan
Pre step
Get a co*cktail shaker and fill it halfway with ice. Also take out your glasses and 2 cherries for the garnish. I happened to use one regular maraschino and a Luxardo cherry.
After you measure out each ingredient, pour it into the co*cktail shaker.
Step one
Gather the ingredients – Kentucky straight bourbon, sweet vermouth and spiced cherry bitters.
Step two
Measure 4 ounces of bourbon.
Step three
Measure 2 ounces of sweet vermouth.
Step four
If you use Angostura bitters, shake 5 drops in the shaker. If you use Woodford Reserve bitters, which come with a dropper, squeeze 5 – 10 drops in the shaker.
You may have to play around with the amount of bitters, but I’ve found 5 drops per co*cktail is perfect, especially when I use the spiced cherry flavor.
Step five
Cap the co*cktail shaker and shake for 20 seconds. Place a big ice cube in the double old fashioned glass and leave the martini glass naked, although it was a chilled co*cktail glass. Strain the contents between the two glasses.
Step six
For the finishing touch, place one cherry in each co*cktail. Let’s see the martini glass filled with this famous co*cktail.
Let’s look at an overhead view of the double old fashioned glass.
Here’s a vertical shot of the lovely drink.
I hope you enjoyed this bourbon Manhattan co*cktail recipe.
Other delicious bourbon co*cktails
- Bourbon cranberry co*cktail
- Meatballs
- Bourbon sour
- Hot toddy
- Pomegranate Manhattan
And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!
If you’ve tried thisrecipe, I’d love the know what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can alsoFOLLOW MEonFACEBOOK,TWITTER,INSTAGRAMandPINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful co*cktails!
Bourbon Manhattan co*cktail
This easy and delicious Manhattan co*cktail will make you feel like you are on the set of Mad Men
5 from 9 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: co*cktail
Cuisine: co*cktails
Keyword: bourbon manhattan, bourbon manhattan co*cktail
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 2 co*cktails
Calories: 210kcal
Author: Elaine Benoit
Ingredients
co*cktail
- 4 ounces bourbon
- 2 ounce sweet vermouth
- 5 drops Woodford Reserves bitters (see notes and tips as I use 10 drops for 2 co*cktails)
Garnish
Instructions
Fill a co*cktail shaker 1/2 way with ice
Add bourbon, sweet vermouth and the dashes of bitters
4 ounces bourbon, 2 ounce sweet vermouth, 5 drops Woodford Reserves bitters
Cap the shaker and shake for 20 seconds
Place an ice cube in the old fashioned glass and strain and divide the liquid between the two glasses
Plop the cherries in each drink
2 maraschino cherries
Sip
Smile
Enjoy
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Video
Notes
Helpful tips
- Although I like to use a co*cktail shaker, you can also place the ingredients in a mixing glass and stir it with a co*cktail spoon.
- Buy the best bourbon you can afford for this co*cktail because in a co*cktail like this since there are basically only 2 ingredients which means you can more easily taste the difference.
- If you can, get some fun bitters.I purchased Woodford Reserve flavored bitters.The package arrived with 4 different flavors: spiced cherry, orange, aromatic and chocolate. I’ve used them all and they’re delightful, but my favorite is spiced cherry. This recipe calls for 5 drops for two co*cktails, but I usually use 10 for two drinks. You need to play around with the amount of bitters to see what suits you.
- If you don’t have fancy bitters, it’s perfectly fine to use Angostura or an orange bitters.
- You can serve this Manhattan straight up or on the rocks. I like mine straight up and served in a martini glass. My mother used to drink her Manhattans on the rocks.
- Whenever I use maraschino cherries as garnish, I rinse them off so the juice they are stored in doesn’t infiltrate the co*cktail.
- If you’d like to, you can garnish this drink with an orange peel, but I like it with just a maraschino cherry.
Nutrition
Serving: 1co*cktail | Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Sugar: 2g
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Originally published August, 2016.
Elaine Benoit
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From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to food journalist, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted co*cktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.