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Stir with ice and strain into a chilled coupe

Manhattan

A spirit-forward stirred drink that teaches dilution, clarity, and balance.

Verified by CocktailSteps Editorial Team · Reviewed August 25, 2026

Time
4 minutes
Level
Easy
Glass
Coupe
Approx. ABV
29% · Spirit-forward
Start guided make →Quick check
Manhattan served in a coupe

Measured for the room

Ingredients

Number of servings
  • Amber rye whiskey in an unbranded bottle
    Rye whiskey

    Recommended brandRittenhouse Rye Bottled-in-Bond

    2 oz
  • Unbranded bottle of sweet vermouth
    Sweet vermouth

    Recommended brandCocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino

    1 oz
  • Small unbranded bottle of aromatic bitters
    Aromatic bitters

    Recommended brandANGOSTURA Aromatic Bitters

    2 dashes
  • Dark red cocktail cherry in a small glass dish
    Cocktail cherryOptional

    Recommended brandLuxardo Original Maraschino Cherries

    1 piece

Amounts scale from the verified one-glass recipe. Technique and timing stay unchanged.

Choose your bottle

Bottle buying guide

Best fit is our default. Spend less with Smart buy, or choose Upgrade when you want more character.

  • Base spirit

    Rye whiskey

    For a Manhattan, choose straight rye at 86 proof or higher so its spice stays clear through sweet vermouth and dilution.

    • Best fit · RecommendedRittenhouse Rye Bottled-in-BondApprox. $24–30 · 750 ml

      Its 100-proof rye spice and cocoa stay present through sweet vermouth without turning the drink harsh.

    • Smart buyOld Overholt OriginalApprox. $17–22 · 750 ml

      Four years old and 86 proof, with pepper, dark fruit, and vanilla for a dependable lower-cost Manhattan.

    • UpgradePikesville RyeApprox. $50–60 · 750 ml

      Six years and 110 proof bring deeper cocoa, clove, and baking spice for a richer Manhattan.

  • Fortified wine

    Sweet vermouth

    Choose a sweet red vermouth with enough body for Campari; freshness matters as much as brand.

    • Best fit · RecommendedCocchi Storico Vermouth di TorinoApprox. $20–28 · 750 ml

      Cocoa, citrus, and spice give the equal-parts build enough body.

    • Smart buyDolin RougeApprox. $16–21 · 750 ml

      Lighter and drier when you want a Negroni or Americano less sweet.

    • UpgradeCarpano Antica FormulaApprox. $30–40 · 750 ml

      Vanilla-rich and full-bodied for a rounder, more luxurious drink.

    Refrigerate after opening and write the opening date on the bottle.

  • Seasoning

    Aromatic bitters

    One small bottle lasts a long time; start with the reference profile before collecting niche bitters.

    • Best fit · RecommendedANGOSTURA Aromatic BittersApprox. $12–17 · 4 oz

      The reference bottle for both current whiskey recipes and the safest first purchase.

    • Smart buyFee Brothers Old Fashion AromaticApprox. $10–13 · 5 oz

      Warm cinnamon and allspice at a modest price.

    • UpgradeThe Bitter Truth Old Time AromaticApprox. $19–23 · 200 ml

      A more layered herb-and-spice profile for an enthusiast’s bar.

Approximate U.S. shelf prices reviewed July 2026. Local price and availability vary.

Measured method

How to make Manhattan

  1. 01

    Build the Manhattan

    2 oz rye · 1 oz vermouth · 2 dashes bitters

    Add 2 oz rye whiskey, 1 oz sweet vermouth, and 2 dashes aromatic bitters to an ice-filled mixing glass.

    Build the Manhattan stage with aged brass cocktail jigger
    Build the Manhattan visual check
  2. 02

    Stir until silky

    Stir · 20 sec

    Stir smoothly for 20 seconds to chill and dilute without clouding the drink.

    Stir until silky stage with metal bar spoon
    Stir until silky visual check
  3. 03

    Strain into the coupe

    Strain into a chilled coupe

    Strain the Manhattan into a chilled coupe, leaving the mixing ice behind.

    Strain into the coupe stage with mixing glass fitted with a julep strainer
    Strain into the coupe visual check
  4. 04

    Add the cherry

    1 cocktail cherry

    Rest 1 cocktail cherry on a cocktail pick across the coupe, if using.

    Add the cherry stage with dark red cocktail cherry on a brass cocktail pick
    Add the cherry visual check
Key move

Stir gently to keep the drink clear and silky

Verified technique note

Why this build works

The Manhattan's 2-to-1 ratio gives rye whiskey enough room to remain distinct while a full ounce of sweet vermouth softens and aromatizes the drink. Two dashes of aromatic bitters bridge the whiskey's spice and the vermouth's sweetness without materially increasing volume. Stirring for 20 seconds chills and dilutes the mixture while keeping its texture clear and smooth; shaking would add air and ice fragments that do not suit this build. Straining into a chilled coupe removes the mixing ice, so the carefully reached dilution does not continue to increase during service.

Common failure points

The Manhattan tastes warm and sharp at the first sip.
Use plenty of mixing ice and stir smoothly for the full 20 seconds.
The drink is cloudy and contains small ice chips.
Stir rather than shake, then strain while leaving the mixing ice behind.
Measure or substitute

Bourbon can replace rye ounce for ounce, producing a rounder, less spicy result. Rosso vermouth can replace sweet vermouth at the same 1-ounce measure; keep the whiskey-to-vermouth ratio at 2:1.

Set the station

Tools

  • Aged-brass Japanese-style jigger
    Jigger

    Recommended brandCocktail Kingdom Japanese Style Jigger

  • Empty cut-glass mixing glass
    Mixing glass

    Recommended brandCocktail Kingdom YARAI Mixing Glass

  • Long aged-brass bar spoon
    Bar spoon

    Recommended brandCocktail Kingdom Teardrop Barspoon

  • Aged-brass Julep strainer
    Julep strainer

    Recommended brandCocktail Kingdom Premium Julep Strainer

  • Empty clear coupe glass
    Coupe

    Recommended brandCocktail Kingdom Leopold Coupe

Know the pour

Spirit-forward

A strong rye-and-vermouth cocktail softened only by controlled stirring.

Contains alcohol. Serve only to adults of legal drinking age and enjoy responsibly.

Bartender mode

04 steps

Quick Check

The whole recipe at one glance. No tutorial animation.

Ratio
2 rye · 1 sweet vermouth · 2 dashes bitters
Tools
Jigger · Mixing glass · Bar spoon · Julep strainer · Coupe
Technique
Stir with ice and strain into a chilled coupe
Timing
20-second stir

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