Manhattan Variations: Exploring Creative Twists on the Classic Recipe

The Manhattan cocktail is a classic drink that has been around since the late 1800s. It’s a simple yet complex combination of whiskey sweet vermouth bitters that has stood the test of time. However just because it’s a classic doesn’t mean you can’t get creative with it. In fact bartenders cocktail enthusiasts have been experimenting with the Manhattan recipe for years resulting in a wide range of unique delicious variations. In this article we’ll explore some of the most creative twists on the classic Manhattan recipe.

Classic Manhattan Recipe

Before we dive into the variations let’s take a moment to revisit the classic Manhattan recipe. Here’s what you’ll need to make a basic Manhattan:

Ingredients:
– 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
– 1 oz sweet vermouth
– 2 dashes Angostura bitters
– Maraschino cherry (for garnish)
– Orange peel (for garnish)

Directions:
1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add the whiskey sweet vermouth bitters to the mixing glass.
3. Stir the mixture for about 30 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with a maraschino cherry orange peel.

Now that we’ve gone over the classic recipe let’s take a look at some of the most creative variations on the Manhattan:

1. The Perfect Manhattan

The Perfect Manhattan is a variation that uses equal parts sweet vermouth dry vermouth instead of just sweet vermouth. This gives the drink a slightly drier more complex flavor. Here’s how to make a Perfect Manhattan:

Ingredients:
– 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
– 1 oz sweet vermouth
– 1 oz dry vermouth
– 2 dashes Angostura bitters
– Lemon peel (for garnish)

Directions:
1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add the whiskey sweet vermouth dry vermouth bitters to the mixing glass.
3. Stir the mixture for about 30 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with a lemon peel.

2. The Black Manhattan

The Black Manhattan is a twist on the classic that swaps out the sweet vermouth for Averna a bitter Italian liqueur. This gives the drink a more complex herbal flavor profile. Here’s how to make a Black Manhattan:

Ingredients:
– 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
– 1 oz Averna
– 2 dashes Angostura bitters
– Orange peel (for garnish)

Directions:
1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add the whiskey Averna bitters to the mixing glass.
3. Stir the mixture for about 30 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with an orange peel.

3. The Spice Market Manhattan

The Spice Market Manhattan is a spicy twist on the classic that uses chai tea-infused vermouth allspice-infused bitters. This adds a layer of warmth spice to the drink that’s perfect for cold winter nights. Here’s how to make a Spice Market Manhattan:

Ingredients:
– 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
– 1 oz chai tea-infused sweet vermouth
– 2 dashes allspice bitters
– Cinnamon stick (for garnish)

Directions:
1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add the whiskey chai tea-infused sweet vermouth allspice bitters to the mixing glass.
3. Stir the mixture for about 30 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

4. The Coffee Manhattan

The Coffee Manhattan is a variation that uses coffee-infused vermouth coffee bitters to add a hint of coffee flavor to the cocktail. This is a great choice for coffee lovers who also enjoy a good whiskey. Here’s how to make a Coffee Manhattan:

Ingredients:
– 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
– 1 oz coffee-infused sweet vermouth
– 2 dashes coffee bitters
– Coffee beans (for garnish)

Directions:
1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add the whiskey coffee-infused sweet vermouth coffee bitters to the mixing glass.
3. Stir the mixture for about 30 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with a few coffee beans.

5. The Mezcal Manhattan

The Mezcal Manhattan is a smoky twist on the classic that uses mezcal instead of whiskey. This gives the drink a unique smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet vermouth bitters. Here’s how to make a Mezcal Manhattan:

Ingredients:
– 2 oz mezcal
– 1 oz sweet vermouth
– 2 dashes Angostura bitters
– Orange peel (for garnish)

Directions:
1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add the mezcal sweet vermouth bitters to the mixing glass.
3. Stir the mixture for about 30 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with an orange peel.

Wrap Up:

The Manhattan is a classic cocktail that has stood the test of time but that doesn’t mean you can’t get creative with it. These five variations are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the possibilities for this delicious drink. So the next time you’re in the mood for a cocktail consider trying one of these creative twists on the classic Manhattan recipe.