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Classic Manhattan cocktail in a coupe glass garnished with a Luxardo cherry

Classic Manhattan Recipe

The classic Manhattan cocktail — rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters stirred to silky perfection and finished with a Luxardo cherry. Bold, balanced, and ready in 5 minutes.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Course: Drinks
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 oz rye whiskey traditional choice; bourbon works for a sweeter version
  • 1 oz sweet vermouth Carpano Antica Formula or Cocchi Vermouth di Torino recommended
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters aromatic, classic
  • 1 strip orange peel optional, for garnish
  • Luxardo maraschino cherry for garnish; plus cocktail pick if desired
  • ice as needed - plenty, for stirring

Method
 

  1. Chill a coupe or Nick & Nora glass in the freezer (or fill with ice water) while you mix.
  2. Add the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters to a mixing glass.
  3. Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir steadily for 20-30 seconds, until well chilled and the outside of the glass is frosty.
  4. Discard the chilling ice/water from the serving glass and strain the cocktail into it.
  5. Garnish with the Luxardo cherry (on a pick if you like). If using orange peel, express the oils over the glass and drop it in. Serve immediately.

Notes

Always stir, never shake — shaking clouds the drink and dulls its silky texture.
 
Vermouth oxidizes like wine: refrigerate after opening and use within a month.
 
Rye gives the classic spicy profile; bourbon makes a rounder, sweeter version — same recipe, your call.
 
Big, solid ice cubes chill faster with less dilution than small, wet freezer ice.
 
To batch for a crowd: scale up, add ~20% water for stirring dilution, refrigerate up to 4 days, and add cherries at serving time.