Classic Manhattan

The Classic Manhattan has a rich, smooth, spicy, herbal, warming flavor profile. A timeless whiskey cocktail that embodies sophistication and elegance. The perfect balance of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and aromatic bitters creates a smooth, complex drink that has remained virtually unchanged since its creation.

A Classic Manhattan requires 4 ingredients: Rye Whiskey, Sweet Vermouth, Angostura Bitters, Luxardo maraschino cherry.

A Classic Manhattan takes about 3 minutes to prepare and is considered easy difficulty.

A Classic Manhattan is traditionally served in a coupe, garnished with Luxardo maraschino cherry.

Yes, you can make a mocktail version of the Classic Manhattan by substituting the spirits with non-alcoholic alternatives such as seedlip, non-alcoholic distilled spirits, or flavored syrups and juices that mimic the original flavor profile.

The Manhattan was born in the 1870s at the Manhattan Club in New York City, allegedly created for a banquet hosted by Winston Churchill's mother, Lady Randolph Churchill. However, like many classic cocktails, its true origins are debated among historians. What we do know is that by the 1880s, the Manhattan had become the most popular cocktail in America. The drink originally called for rye whiskey, which was the dominant American spirit before Prohibition nearly wiped it out. During the dark years of Prohibition and its aftermath, bourbon often substituted for rye, but purists have always maintained that rye's spicier profile creates the superior Manhattan. The cocktail survived Prohibition, World Wars, and countless cocktail trends, proving its enduring appeal. Jerry Thomas documented an early version in his 1887 bartending guide, cementing its place in cocktail canon. Today, the Manhattan remains largely unchanged from its original form—a testament to perfect formulation.