6 Best Manhattan Variations To Try Right Now

The Manhattan is one of the most popular classic cocktails of all time. All you need is rye, sweet vermouth, and bitters, and your flavorful drink is ready! If you’ve conquered the art of making the Classic Manhattan, it’s time you start experimenting with it. We’ve listed down some of the best Manhattan variations you need to try right now! You can start by making these variations, tap into your creativity, and who knows you might come up with your own recipes for this delicious cocktail.

6 Best Manhattan Variations

1. Perfect Manhattan
2. Brooklyn Manhattan
3. Black Manhattan
4. Mexican Manhattan
5. Brandy Manhattan
6. Rob Roy

1. Perfect Manhattan

One of the easiest Manhattan variations out there is Perfect Manhattan. The name ‘perfect’ implies the equal proportions of sweet and dry vermouth that are poured into this cocktail. If you’re a whiskey lover, you may find the Classic Manhattan too sweet for you. This particular variation includes the two types of vermouth which make it a drier cocktail that isn’t too sweet in taste. Every sip of this cocktail is perfectly balanced and elegant in flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces of whiskey
• ½ ounce of dry vermouth
• ½ ounce of sweet vermouth
• 1-2 dashes of aromatic bitters
• Brandied cherries or a lemon twist to garnish

How To Make A Perfect Manhattan Cocktail

1. Take a mixing glass or a cocktail shaker and add ice halfway through it.
2. Pour the whiskey, dry, and sweet vermouth over the ice.
3. Add the dashes to the ingredients.
4. Mix the ingredients well so that they blend together and strain the drink into a chilled cocktail glass. 
5. Finally, garnish the drink with some brandied cherries or a lemon twist.

Also Read: Hot Buttered Rum Cocktail Recipes And Variations

2. Brooklyn Manhattan

Another tasty and unique spin on the Classic Manhattan cocktail is the Brooklyn. This stunning cocktail gets its nuanced finish from the Maraschino liqueur and the bitters used to make it. Its intriguing and sophisticated flavors can become a conversation starter for any party. Here’s a simple recipe so you can try making it for your dinner party or simply savor it when it feels like cocktail o’clock. 

Ingredients

• 2 ounces of rye whiskey
• 1 ounce of dry vermouth
• ¼ ounce of Maraschino liqueur
• ¼ ounce of Amer Picon or 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
• Maraschino cherry or lemon twist to garnish

How To Make A Brooklyn Manhattan Cocktail

1. Take a mixing glass and add some ice to it. 
2. Pour the rye whiskey, dry vermouth, and Maraschino liqueur into it and stir the mixture well using a bar spoon.
3. Strain the drink into a chilled Coupe glass and garnish with Maraschino cherry or a lemon twist.

Also Read: 8 Indian Alcoholic Drinks To Try

3. Black Manhattan

Fan of the Classic Manhattan cocktail? If your answer is yes, then you’re absolutely going to love this funky twist on this drink. Just like its classic version, Black Manhattan has a strong and boozy taste. The finish has subtle notes of caramel and chocolate on the palate. Give this cocktail a try and we assure you that you won’t be disappointed!

Ingredients

• 2 ounces of bourbon or rye whiskey
• 1 ounce of Italian amaro (bitter liqueur like Averna)
• 1 dash of Angostura bitters
• 1 dash of orange bitters
• Brandied cherries to garnish

How To Make A Black Manhattan Cocktail

1. Add some ice into a mixing glass.
2. Pour the whiskey, amaro, and bitters over the ice.
3. Stir the ingredients for around 30 seconds so that they blend well.
4. Strain the cocktail into a chilled Coupe glass and then garnish with some brandied cherries.

Also Read: 7 Best Indian Cocktails To Welcome The Festive Spirit

4. Mexican Manhattan

Mexican Manhattan is another popular riff on its classic version. This Manhattan variation can be considered a sophisticated drink but is surprisingly very easy to make. You just require three ingredients to make this savory cocktail – añejo tequila, sweet vermouth, and bitters, and the result is absolutely gratifying to the palate! And wait, did you know that you can enjoy Manhattans in almost any glass? Yes, you read that right! Coupe, Lowball, or Martini, pick up your favorite glass, and make some tasty Mexican Manhattan!

Ingredients

• 2 ounces of añejo tequila
• 1 ounce of sweet vermouth
• 1 dash of orange bitters
• Maraschino cherry to garnish

How To Make A Mexican Manhattan Cocktail

1. Add some ice into a mixing glass.
2. Pour the tequila, sweet vermouth, and bitters over the ice.
3. Take a bar spoon and stir the ingredients well.
4. Take a chilled cocktail glass with a Maraschino cherry. 
5. Strain the drink over the cherry and enjoy the cocktail!

Also Read: Easy Mai Tai Cocktail Recipe Variations

5. Brandy Manhattan

Have a bottle of Cognac or brandy lying on your shelf? It’s time you take it out to make another sophisticated variation of this classic cocktail – Brandy Manhattan. Compared to whiskey, brandy has a sweeter taste with fruity and floral notes. That’s why using it in this cocktail gives it much more sweet, complex, and exciting flavors. Try it once and we wouldn’t be surprised if this variation becomes your new favorite!

Ingredients

• 2 ounces of Cognac or brandy
• 1 ounce of sweet red vermouth
• 3 dashes of Angostura bitters
• Lemon peel to garnish

How To Make A Brandy Manhattan Cocktail

1. Take a mixing glass and add the Cognac or brandy, vermouth, and bitters into it.
2. Add a cup of ice into the glass and mix the ingredients together.
3. Strain the drink into a Coupe glass and garnish with a lemon peel.

Also Read: How To Store Wine Properly

6. Rob Roy

Rob Roy is another fun twist to your beloved Classic Manhattan, the only difference is that its recipe calls for scotch instead of American whiskey. This scotch-based variation has been around for decades now. If you’re a fan of scotch, there’s no better way to enjoy it than making a booze-forward Rob Roy for yourself.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces of blended scotch whiskey
• 1 ounce of sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
• Lemon or an orange twist to garnish

How To Make A Rob Roy Cocktail

1. Take a mixing glass and add some ice halfway through the glass.
2. Add the scotch whiskey, vermouth, and bitters into it.
3. Stir and combine the ingredients together.
4. Strain the drink into a chilled cocktail glass. 
5. Take a lemon or an orange twist over the drink as a garnish and then serve it.

Summing Up

That was our pick on the 6 best Manhattan variations to try right now! Manhattan is a relatively simple drink and you’ll be introduced to new flavors with every new variation. You can either swap the type of whiskey in the classic recipe or experiment with the several types of vermouth in this drink. So, go ahead and try your favorite variation from the above-listed recipes, we’re positive that you’ll find your new favorite drink!

FAQs

Why You Don’t Shake A Manhattan?

Manhattan is a cocktail that requires you to blend the ingredients by stirring them instead of shaking. If you shake the drink, you’ll end up getting a cloudy cocktail and it’ll ruin its aesthetics.

How Many Times Do You Stir A Manhattan?

You need to stir the ingredients in a Manhattan using a bar spoon for around 20-25 rotations.

What’s The Difference Between A Perfect Manhattan And A Manhattan?

The recipe for a Manhattan calls for rye whiskey and the sweet vermouth is substituted by sugar. A Perfect Manhattan, on the other hand, is made using equal parts of sweet and dry vermouths that add to the distinct flavor of the cocktail.

Do You Chill A Manhattan Glass?

You can simply add some ice into the glass and keep it aside while you make the cocktail in a mixing glass. Another preferred method is to keep it in the freezer for it to be chilled and frosty for a long time.

Do You Sip A Manhattan?

Manhattan is a rich cocktail that has both sweet and spicy flavors. Sip it slowly to enjoy all the flavors of this drink.

What Is The Best Glass To Serve A Manhattan?

You can serve Manhattan in Martini, Manhattan, Highball, or Coupe glasses.

Should A Manhattan Be On The Rocks?

A Manhattan can be served straight up or can be enjoyed without any ice.

Are Manhattans Classy?

Manhattan is a cocktail made with ingredients like whiskey, vermouth, and bitters. This quintessential cocktail has many variations and the unique flavors of each drink make it all the more classy and one-of-a-kind.