Manhattan (Sweet with Bitter Chocolate)

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (64 ratings)

Serve in a Coupe glass

Ingredients:
2 oz Bourbon whiskey
34 oz Strucchi Rosso Vermouth
16 oz Dark crème de cacao liqueur
16 oz Luxardo Maraschino liqueur
6 drop Chocolate 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 square of 80% cacao chocolate.
  3. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  4. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.
  5. Garnish with chocolate balanced on rim.

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 8/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 6/10

Review:

Those with a sweet tooth should not be misled by the word "sweet" in the name of this drink, which refers to the use of sweet vermouth in what is a dry but not bone-dry spirituous cocktail. Bourbon provides the backbone, maraschino a faint cherry fruitiness, while the all-important chocolate bitters add, well, bitter chocolate notes. Oh, and there's a dash of dark chocolate liqueur for decadence sake.

View readers' comments

History:

Created by yours truly in April 2017 at the Cabinet Room in London, England.
See: Manhattan cocktail history

Nutrition:

One serving of Manhattan (Sweet with Bitter Chocolate) contains 211 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.9 standard drinks
  • 28.43% alc./vol. (28.43° proof)
  • 26.3 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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Justin Aniello’s Avatar Justin Aniello
1st May at 23:41
Underwhelmed at first but enjoyed it more as it warmed up a little. The chocolate didn't come through nearly as much when it was cold which meant the maraschino was a little too dominating. Very nice manhattan variation once everything came through.
Rachel L’s Avatar Rachel L
17th January at 19:35
I ran out of whiskey so I made this with cognac instead for a nice simple variation. Afterwards I made another addition - adding 1 fl oz of cream and an amarena cherry for a delightful dessert cocktail (shaken). More of a variation of a Brandy Alexander, but still delightful.
John CARR’s Avatar John CARR
4th April 2024 at 00:12
Wonderful chocolate manhattan for Easter. A new favourite! We used rye.
Kevin Haynes’ Avatar Kevin Haynes
28th March 2024 at 21:30
I can't believe I haven't had this one before, or maybe I did years ago and didn't comment. But, Simon, this is TOO delicious! What have you done? 😁
Simon Difford’s Avatar Simon Difford
29th March 2024 at 09:16
Thanks, Kevin. I must revisit. Seems appropriate Manhattan for an Easter weekend.
Katie Winder’s Avatar Katie Winder
25th July 2022 at 06:51
Used Antica and my new Sirene Chocolate liqueur from Sheringham distillery in Victoria, B.C., and Scrappy's chocolate bitters. Dang, this is an excellent drink. It's like a decadent after-dinner drink but not overly sweet and still a Manhattan at heart.
sal curreri’s Avatar sal curreri
30th June 2022 at 23:05
Used Antica and enjoyed with 90% cocoa dark chocolate. At first seemed a bit too dry but more balanced sip by sip. Thanks for this variation.
John Hinojos’ Avatar John Hinojos
17th April 2022 at 22:43
Having this as our aperitif on Easter. Wonderful hints of cocoa and cherry. Light herbal and smoky taste from the bourbon. Wonderful. Had with prosciutto and gruyere in puff pastry
Thanks Simon, you added to our Easter celebration.
Simon Difford’s Avatar Simon Difford
18th April 2022 at 07:24
My pleasure.
25th August 2021 at 19:58
this is so good.
Nathalie O'Flynn’s Avatar Nathalie O'Flynn
25th December 2020 at 17:44
Sipping this right now for aperitif, made skewers with 3 Amarena cherries. Used Martini Rubino for the Vermouth part, and used Aztec choc bitters as that’s the only one I have of this type. All in all rather delicious and not necessarily just for after dinner. In fact wanted to make a Widow’s Kiss but it was lashing down with rain so getting mint leaves from the pot outside was not an option, says husband lol