So I’ve been on a little Perfect Manhattan kick lately. As it turns out there are a ton of variants on the recipe so I thought I’d try them (and some of my own) out and keep track here.
A traditional Manhattan (according to Mr Boston) is
- 1 1/2 Rye Whiskey
- 1/2 sweet Vermouth
- 1 dash Angostura Bitters
The typical Perfect Manhattan is made with whiskey and equal parts sweet and dry Vermouth. Something along the order of
- 2 whiskey
- 1/2 sweet Vermouth
- 1/2 dry Vermouth
- some bitters
- a cherry and/or orange peel
So, the way I see it, a Perfect Manhattan = whiskey + something sweet + something dry + a little bitter + something on a stick. Since there are lots and lots of Vermouths and other fun things out there I’m going to work on mixing and matching.
I like to make these on the small side, around 1 1/2 to 2 oz total served in a nice rocks glass (we picked up a vintage pair at a flea market awhile back with matching glass coasters) over a single large cube of ice. I don’t like overly sweet drinks but I do have a soft spot for cherries. Most of my recipes end up being half whiskey and half “other stuff” while the typical recipe is basically 2 to 1. That my not follow the “rule” but so be it.
My current favorite will be at the top of this list. The Wigle Apple 412
- 2 Wigle Walkabout Apple Whiskey
- 1/2 Dolin Dry Vermouth
- 1/2 Antica Formula Carpano
- 4 dashes Bitter Truth Jerry Thomas’ bitters
The Cardamaro 1011
- 3/4 Whiskey – Wigle White Wheat aged at home
- 1/2 Dolin Dry Vermouth
- 1/4 Cardamaro Vino Amaro
- 3 dashes Wigle orange bitters
- Orange peel
The COVID-19 Black Manhattan 19
No special virus protection powers, just what we had on hand after the State stores closed and it turns out it’s a good combo
- 2 Woodford Reserve Bourbon
- 1 Alessio Vino Chinato
- 4 dashes Wigle orange bitters
- 2 Maraschino cherries (Luxardo or Fabbri)
The Eagle Manhattan 314
- 2 Eagle Rare Whiskey
- 1/2 Le Quintinye Vermouth Royal Extra Dry Vermouth
- 1/2 Carpano Dry Vermouth
- 4 dashes Wigle Orange bitters
The Holiday Manhattan 1220
- 2 Whiskey – Like Few
- 1/2 Wigle Saffron Amaro
- 1/2 Carpano Dry Vermouth
- 4 drops Dashfire Lemon bitters
The Black Manhattan
- 2 Whiskey – Like Few
- 1 Averna
- 3 dashes Wigle orange bitters
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
The Cynar
- 3/4 Whiskey – Wigle White Wheat aged at home
- 1/2 Genepy des Alpes
- 1/4 Cynar
- 3 dashes Wigle orange bitters
- Orange peel
The Punt e Mes
- 1 oz bourbon
- 1 oz Punt e Mes
- 3 drops of Fernet Branca
The Contratto/Bonal 50/50
This was very smooth and had a very light color. This added the missing zing.
- 3/4 Whiskey – Wigle White Wheat aged at home
- 1/2 Contratto Vermouth Bianco
- 1/2 Bonal Gentiane-Quina
- 3 dashes Wigle orange bitters
- Orange peel
The Cardamaro 46
- 3/4 Whiskey – Maker’s Mark 46
- 1/2 Dolin Vermouth
- 1/4 Cardamaro Vino Amaro
- 3 dashes Wigle orange bitters
- Orange peel
The Contratto/Bonal
This was very smooth and had a very light color. Needs to have a tad more “zing” to it
- 3/4 Whiskey – Wigle White Wheat aged at home
- 1/2 Contratto Vermouth Bianco
- 1/4 Bonal Gentiane-Quina
- 3 dashes Wigle orange bitters
- Orange peel
The Averna
- 3/4 Whiskey – Wigle White Wheat aged at home
- 1/2 Dolin Vermouth
- 1/4 Averna Amaro
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- Orange peel
The 50/25
- 3/4 Whiskey – Wigle White Wheat aged at home
- 1/2 Dolin Vermouth
- 1/4 Antica Formula Carpano
- 3 dashes Wigle orange bitters
- Orange peel & Luxardo cherry garnish
The 25/50
This was a bit sweet for my liking but turned out to be a very nice color
- 3/4 Whiskey – Wigle White Wheat aged at home
- 1/4 Dolin Vermouth
- 1/2 Antica Formula Carpano
- 3 dashes Wigle orange bitters
- Orange peel & Luxardo cherry garnish
The White 50/25
This was good but there was a noticeable difference having used the non-aged whiskey
- 3/4 Whiskey – Wigle White Rye
- 1/2 Genepy des Alpes
- 1/4 Antica Formula Carpano
- 3 drops, Drams Citrus Medica bitters
- Orange peel & Luxardo cherry garnish