A CLASSIC BUILD · KNOWLEDGE SHARING

Manhattan.
Up or on the rocks.

A 19th-century classic, debated endlessly. We share the standard build below. The Manhattan can be served either up in a coupe or on the rocks over one clear cube. Both are correct; the choice is preference.

Ingredients (one drink).

• 60 ml rye whisky. Bourbon also works; rye is more traditional and gives a sharper edge.
• 30 ml sweet (red) vermouth.
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters.
• 1 brandied or maraschino cherry for garnish.
• 1 large clear ice cube (5 cm) if serving on the rocks.

Steps.

1. Stir. Combine the rye, sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters in a mixing glass with cracked ice. Stir for 20 to 30 seconds.
2. Strain into the chosen vessel.
   • Up: strain into a chilled coupe glass.
   • On the rocks: temper a clear cube for 2 to 3 minutes, place in a rocks glass, strain over the cube.
3. Garnish. Drop in the cherry. Serve.

Why a clear cube on the rocks version.

On a Manhattan, dilution is delicate. The drink is small, spirit-forward and built around vermouth's herbal sweetness. A clear 5 cm cube melts slowly enough that the cherry-vermouth-rye balance holds for the duration of the drink. Cloudy ice would water it down within minutes. See the clear cube →

More reading.

Old Fashioned recipe →
Negroni recipe →
Clear ice for cocktails →