Perfect? That can be a tough one to nail down but in our eyes this recipe is as good as it gets for the Manhattan. We are not bartenders but can make a decent cocktail at home and have learned over the years that it’s best not to overthink the drink. Try this simple recipe for a classic Manhattan. It’s simple, straight forward, and always consistent.

Ingredients:

2 oz. Rye Whiskey

1 oz. Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth

2 dashes aromatic bitters, our preference is 18.21 Bitters

1 Maraschino Cherry

Preparation:

Fill a glass with ice and add whiskey, vermouth, and bitters. Stir gently together for 30-45 seconds to combine. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, add the maraschino cherry, and enjoy.

Alternative Method:

The cocktail can be shaken instead of stirred; however, the resulting cocktail will be cloudy and will have some foam on top.