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Game Set Match

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (106)
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 2/3 fl oz Bourbon whiskey
1/2 fl oz Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth
1/2 fl oz Cynar or other carciofo amaro
1 dash Angostura Aromatic Bitters
1 dash Orange Bitters by Angostura

How to make

Glassware

Serve in a Coupe glass

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of half lemon slice wheel skewered with Luxardo Maraschino Cherry (sail).

Method

  1. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  2. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. Garnish with lemon slice skewered with maraschino cherry.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 8/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 7/10

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Game Set Match contains 172 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.6 standard drinks
  • 27.03% alc./vol. (54.06° proof)
  • 21.8 grams of pure alcohol

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

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History

Created in 2013 by Juan "J.P." Caceres-Rojas while working in Washington, D.C..

Review

A Sweet Manhattan with Cynar and orange bitters. What's not to like?

Cocktail of the day:

8th July 2026 is National Video Game Day

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Comments & Discussion

John CARR Premium Member
Superb. Straight to the favourites list.
score: 3
John CARR Premium Member
Perfect balancing of ingredients. I used maker’s 46 and loved the way it showcased the bourbon. Rich and layered with progressive revelation of flavours, as one looks for in a Manhattan. The lemon and m cherry garnish is spot on as a counterpoint to the Cynar and carpano. Match over 😉
score: 3
Aidan O’Shea
I used Old Forester as the bourbon, and found this to not be as sweet as many had warned. Antica, Cynar, and bourbon balance very nicely with these proportions. A nice addition to the Manhattan rotation.
score: 2
Richard Elgar Premium Member
I liked this, but for me it needed a full 2oz of bourbon, or maybe next time I'd use 100 proof. I used Cocchi di Torino for the vermouth.
score: 1
Peter M Premium Member
I'm thinking the higher proof bourbon might be good, too... Will have to try it.
score: 2
Jeffrey Moore
It's basically a bourbon version of the Little Italy.
It's fine. Definitely needs the lemon oils & peel to wake it up a bit. Tad too sweet for me. Prefer the less sweet, spicier rye in a Little Italy. If you do like a sweeter sipper, this one is for you & would also recommend the Little ??
score: 2
John Hinojos Premium Member
Excellent. A very flavourful version of a sweet Manhattan with the bitterness and vegetal hints from the Cynar. Was a little sweet for me, but enjoyed immensely. Perfect as a summer aperitif before a New Orleans Creole dinner.
score: 2
David M. Premium Member
Great. Starts as a luscious Carpano Antica Manhattan, with a delayed subtle bitterness from the Cynar. Benefits from a post-swallow inhale by the mouth and exhale by the nose.
score: 4
Susie Bright Premium Member
I did what you said . . . wow. Thank you.
score: 1