How to mix a classic manhattan cocktail

Most people think you make a Manhattan with bourbon. But THE classic ingredient for a Manhattan isn’t bourbon, it’s actually rye whiskey.

Step 1: Combine two parts rye, one part sweet vermouth.

Step 2: What gives a Manhattan its depth is a little bit of angostura bitters -- just one dash.

Step 3: Pour it over ice. Simply stir the cocktail for at least 30 seconds until it’s exceedingly well-chilled. The ice is also meant to dilute the ingredients so they’re well mixed and also slightly less potent.

Step 4: After you’ve mixed the ingredients, take a cocktail glass with a maraschino cherry or a brandied cherry and pour in the cocktail.

I’m Allen Katz for howdini.com and today I’m going to teach you how to make one of the classic cocktails of all time, the Manhattan. Most people think of the Manhattan as a bourbon-based cocktail, and it is acceptable to make this drink with bourbon, but the classic ingredient in the traditional Manhattan is actually rye whiskey. It’s one of the great American whiskeys that have had quite a rejuvenation in the last several years. It’s a very simple cocktail that involves two parts of rye whiskey and one part of sweet vermouth. And so, obviously, the type of whiskey and the brand of whiskey that you use will have an effect on the final taste of the cocktail. Again, it couldn’t be simpler.

Using a jigger as a measuring tool, we’ll simply combine those two ingredients. What gives a Manhattan its depth is just a little bit of Angostura bitters. Now, bitters classically have that slightly medicinal aroma, and it’s this commingling of the sweet vermouth, a little bit of whiskey, and just one dash of Angostura bitters that brings all the wonderful elements of this cocktail together.

We’re going to pour this over ice, and simply stir the cocktail for a good 30 seconds, at least, until it’s exceedingly well-chilled. The idea of ice is two-fold. One, to get the cocktail very cold, of course, but also to dilute the ingredients so that they’re well mixed but also slightly less alcoholic or less potent.

Now, after we’ve mixed the ingredients together and the cocktail is well-chilled, we’re simply going to take a cocktail glass garnished with a maraschino cherry or perhaps a brandy cherry, and pour this wonderful cocktail together. Could not be easier. I’m Allen Katz for howdini.com