My 3 favorite MANHATTAN riffs right now!

Today we're making 3 riffs on the Manhattan! For only having three ingredients, there's a lot of ways one can tweak this classic. Here are a few of my favorite variations - all worth a try if you love the original! Cheers!

New customers use code ERICKSON for $5 off!
Use code ANDERS for free shipping on orders over $200!

Video/editing/illustrations by Azusa Inaba 🎥 🎨

TIME STAMPS
Intro: 0:00
Perfect Manhattan: 0:35
Black Manhattan: 3:10
Rum Manhattan: 4:44
Sips & Sign Off: 6:26

THE PERFECT MANHATTAN 2:01
2 oz. (60 ml) Rittenhouse 100 proof Rye Whiskey
1/2 oz. (15 ml) Dolin Rouge Vermouth de Chambéry
1/2 oz. (15 ml) Dolin Blanc Vermouth de Chambéry
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Cocktail cherry for garnish

THE BLACK MANHATTAN 3:41
2 oz. (60 ml) Rittenhouse 100 proof Rye Whiskey
1 oz. (30 ml) Averna Amaro
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
2 dashes Regan’s Orange Bitters No. 6
Lemon twist or cocktail cherry for garnish

THE RUM MANHATTAN 5:37
2 oz. (60 ml) El Dorado 12 year Demerara Rum
1 oz. (30 ml) Cocchi Vermouth di Torino
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Lemon twist or cocktail cherry for garnish

THE TOOLS

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Special thanks to our top-tier patrons:
Adam Greetis
Jacob Swain
Brandon Carey
Randy Calegari
Mike Russo
Matt Dougherty
Michael Cooney
Matthew Crowley
Kevin
Dzomery
Derek Patstone
Rick Turoczy
Alex Rosenberg
Silverio
Al Gailey
Joshua Penley
Sheri Muilenburg
Antonio Moreno
Connie & Rob Chapin
Chris Roberts
Howard Pollack
Bruce Stark
Brian Gordon
David Byrne
Nate
Randall Randall
Nick
Liana Kangas
D Pilaitis

Follow Me:

Send stuff to:
Anders Erickson
4610 N. Clark St
Suite 1051
Chicago IL, 60640

[AndersErickson]

We could easily keep this list going! What's your favorite variation?

[karlinchina]

Black Manhattan with Amaro Nonino is really nice.

[Waldenpunk]

LOVE the Black Manhattan! It's become one of my cocktail go-to's.

[adamgta]

Just stumbled onto your channel, I had the opposite experience with a perfect Manhattan, ironically whilst in Manhattan, in a burst of enthusiasm I ordered a “perfect Manhattan” not knowing that this was a different drink than a Manhattan made perfectly… the bartender watched my quizzical expression after tasting it and sent the server over. She explained and offered a gratis replacement if this wasn’t what was expected, but I really liked it, thanked the server, the bartender, and now when I am in a fancy shamancy bar I order a perfect Manhattan and watch closely to see what they do!

[madu]

Somewhere in the past few years I came across a variation called a Grand Manhattan which is 2 rye, .5 sweet vermouth and .5 triple sec and it’ s quite good in an orangey kind of way. Then, I expanded on that by swapping the .5 vermouth with .5 of averna and calling it a Grand Black Manhattan ( Grack Manhattan and Bland Manhattan just didn’t cut it!). Thanks for your great videos!

[randyreese]

I've been making my black manhattans with Amaro dell Etna instead of Averna and with the addition of Woodford Reserve Barrel Aged Spiced Cherry Bitters (same amount as other two bitters) and it is my current favorite

[charlieteall]

I couldn't (or didn't want to) pick one so of course I made all three. The Black Manhattan is my fav.

[theshinydome]

Black Manhattan has been one of my favorite drinks for a long time. I usually make mine a double. So good.

[nicona]

I ended up making the rum Manhattan today. Really tasty! Thanks for letting me know this drink exists.

[erezbar]

I love a Greenpoint which some say is a Brooklyn Variation but it’s essentially a Manhattan variation made by the legendary Michael Mcilroy.

[dimitarapostolov]

I love Manhattans and I love El Dorado 12... I can't believe a Rum Manhattan variation never crossed my life 😂 Cheers Anders & Az! 🥂🍹🍸

[JesseCohen]

Been doing a Manhattan variant from Diffords called the “High Ryeser”. Equal parts high proof Rye (100 or better) and sweet vermouth, usually Italian. 4 dashes of orange bitters, stirred down till I like where the heat settles, and strained over a fresh large cube or sphere. I’ve tried a couple different garnishes, but it usual ends up being a Amarena cherry and candied orange round. It’s a fun, albeit sweet, riff that is in regular rotation here at the home bar. That Black Manhattan is a definite try, since I already have some Averna. And the I will do the rum version as soon as I can land a bottle of the right kind of rum…

[jayclement]

We built the Black Manhattan and the Rum Manhattan. Then, we did a Rum Manhattan using Amaro instead, a Black Rum Manhattan? Loved them all.

[jessicalawson]

As someone who prefers blanc and rouge vermouth to dry and sweet I approve of this perfect Manhattan

[jameslundrigan]

Just made the rum one. OMG. I had a bottle of El Dorado gathering dust — won’t be around much longer now!! The PERFECT cigar accompaniment.

[rachelhunt]

I do cocktail nights during the year at our coffee shop in the UK, and I LOVE your videos! They really inspire me. My husband and I love watching your videos - he walked by while I was watching and stopped for the Rum Manhattan, so I guess that's going to be our next date night drink! Btw Oz is super cute too and your chemistry is so great! xx

[jeffcsMN]

The Manhattan is one of my favorite autumn cocktails. I just made the perfect Manhattan last week for the first time, but used bourbon instead of Rye. It was delicious! Cheers, Anders!

[muffininthehizzy]

During the holiday season I've been a real fan of what I call a Christmas Manhattan, rather than an ounce of sweet vermouth I half it with a chocolate liquor. What a festive treat!

[ad-cqym]

love to see another Anders doing good things in the world let's

[matthines]

I once got a Manhattan where the bartender asked if she could surprise me on the rye. She used Templeton Rye, and I’ve loved it for my Manhattans ever since.