Manhattan (Perfect)

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (197 ratings)
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    Manhattan (Perfect)

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Manhattan (Perfect) image

Photographed in an UB Retro Coupe 1920 7.75oz

Ingredients:
2 oz Bourbon whiskey
0.42 oz Strucchi Rosso Vermouth
0.42 oz Strucchi Dry Vermouth
2 dash Angostura Aromatic Bitters
× 1 1 serving
Read about cocktail measures and measuring

How to make:

  1. Select and pre-chill a Coupe glass.
  2. Prepare garnish of orange zest twist and Luxardo Maraschino Cherry.
  3. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  4. STRAIN into chilled glass.
  5. EXPRESS orange zest twist over the cocktail and discard.
  6. Garnish with maraschino cherry.

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 9/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 8/10
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Review:

The medium-dry version of the classic Manhattan cocktail.

View readers' comments

Variant:

Served on-the-rocks ice in an old-fashioned glass. Or Dry Manhattan / Sweet Manhattan.

History:

Manhattan cocktail history

Nutrition:

One serving of Manhattan (Perfect) contains 183 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.8 standard drinks
  • 28.99% alc./vol. (28.99° proof)
  • 24.8 grams of pure alcohol

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above. Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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Showing 6 comments for Manhattan (Perfect).
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Alejo Gerosa’s Avatar Alejo Gerosa
15th March 2024 at 02:23
Perfect works great on both Manhattans and Rob Roys!
2
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Gary Walther’s Avatar Gary Walther
30th January 2024 at 02:30
After reading an article on Perfect Manhattans possibilities on the Wine Enthusiast site, I tried this variation that I think is really terrific. I really liked the way the lemon + briny flavors worked with the rye and vermouths.
2 oz Rittenhouse Bonded Rye
1/2 oz Dolin Dry Vermouth
1/2 oz Carpano Antica Vermouth
2 dashes Angostura
Expressed lemon twist
Cocktail Onion (or green olive)
2
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Gui Menegon’s Avatar Gui Menegon
28th March 2024 at 21:22
Sounds interesting. I am trying now Rittenhouse + Dolin Rouge + Cinzano Dry and I am missing the sweetness I am used to... Maybe the Dolin Dry + an italian rosso would make it better!
1
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Stuart Davies’ Avatar Stuart Davies
2nd January 2022 at 19:29
I used Rittenhouse Straight Rye. Great cocktail that has a really long finish. 5 stars.
2
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Skyler Proctor’s Avatar Skyler Proctor
5th October 2021 at 20:38
Manhattan sweet too sweet
I'll take Manhattan is great for the cherry/complexity, but way to sweet
Manhattan Perfect: Just miss the cherry/complexity despite the garnish

So I combined them to make the best of all worlds:

2oz whiskey
1/2 Rosso Vermouth
1/4 Dry Vermouth
1/4 Cherry Brandy
2 dashes bitters

This gives it just a hint of cherry that plays nice with the garnish but the dry vermouth still keeps it balanced.
1
reply
Vincent Wolf’s Avatar Vincent Wolf
23rd February 2021 at 18:16
Interesting drink. I used to have my manhattan with 2oz bourbon (or rye for more character) 1oz sweet vermouth 2-3 dashes angustura 1-2 dashes fee brothers chocolate. This one is of course dryer but interesting in summer if you are looking for a "fresher" Manhattan
0
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William Smith’s Avatar William Smith
22nd May 2020 at 00:44
After a lot of experimentation (for Science), I've made this my go-to favorite Manhattan.
9
reply
Zargoff TheDestroyer’s Avatar Zargoff TheDestroyer
21st January 2021 at 03:01
Thank you for your dedication to science, I think this is my preferred variation now as well.
3
reply
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