Deathbed Manhattan Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What kind of bitters do you use in Manhattan? ›

DO: Opt for Angostura bitters. With notes of tamarind and cinnamon, this tried-and-true aromatic bitter adds warmth and spice to the drink without overwhelming the other ingredients. There are others, to be sure, but Angostura is always a safe bet here.

The Manhattan demands respect. It is brazen: a heavy pour of rye or bourbon, sweet vermouth, and aromatic bitters. It is rich, with strong flavors both spicier and sweeter. It is strong.

The Dry Manhattan used dry vermouth instead of sweet. The Medium Manhattan was the original Perfect Manhattan, made with four parts whiskey and one part each dry and sweet vermouth.

Although the original New York co*cktail ingredients call for American Rye, bartenders from across the US have quickly adopted a substitution for the spirit with a Bourbon Manhattan variant. The use of either spirit creates a hint of complexities that other classic aromatic co*cktails cannot match.

Substitute cherry bitters for the aromatic bitters.

Aromatic bitters have long been the preferred accent for the Manhattan and it should be considered a required ingredient. Since we use just a few dashes at a time, it can be easy to forget their importance. However, they are the finishing touch that brings co*cktails like the Manhattan into perfect balance.

Drink Order: Manhattan

You have a touch of old-school charm, but a bit more courage than those who order an Old fashioned (the Manhattan's close cousin).

Traditionally served in a co*cktail glass and garnished with a maraschino cherry, the Manhattan represents a strong, sensible individual with a warm and feminine edge. Just like the co*cktail itself, a Manhattan drinker has an underlying sweetness, a softer side to its sturdy exterior.

For a classic Manhattan, we want to use “sweet” vermouth, which actually isn't all that sweet. Sweet vermouths are dark red or brown, not clear. My favorite options are Dolin and Carpano Antica. Dolin is the softer and smoother of the two, which is not to say that it's boring.

Vermouths like Martini are fortified wines that oxidise quickly so once opened, store in the fridge and drink within a maximum of three months but ideally finish it within the first month. After that point, there will be no harmful effects to you, but the taste will be pretty nasty.

Should I use dry or sweet vermouth in a Manhattan? ›

A "Perfect" Manhattan is a Manhattan that is made with both sweet and dry vermouth. This isn't to suggest that a traditional Manhattan is imperfect - though I suppose given the terminology that would be technically correct - rather, it's just two another way of making the same drink, like a dirty or dry Martini.

How Long Do Bitters Last? While we hate to see a bottle of bitters collecting dust on your home bar they do last indefinitely. They are bottled at about 70 proof or 35% alcohol, so they are perfectly preserved. However, it is possible that the flavor will change over time.

A bourbon must be distilled at no more than 160 proof, or 80% alcohol by volume. Jack is well under that. It comes over the still at 140 proof, or 70% alcohol.

Old Overholt is always a good call, as are other standout brands like Baltimore-based Sagamore Spirit, High West from Utah, WhistlePig from Vermont, Milam & Greene from Texas, Tattersall's Bonded Rye from Wisconsin, Washington State's Wildwood Spirits Co.'s Rendition five-year rye, and Michter's from Kentucky.

For a Classic Manhattan: Angostura Aromatic Bitters

One of the oldest bitters in production, Angostura has been produced on the island of Trinidad since 1824. While the recipe remains a secret—it's speculated that it contains more than 40 different herbs and botanicals—its iconic flavor is easily identifiable.

Add 2 bar spoons simple syrup to co*cktail glass. Add 3 dashes Angostura Aromatic Bitters and 3 dashes Orange Bitters. Add a large ice cube.

They're rarely served straight because the flavors are much more intense than digestifs. Some of the best co*cktail bitters available are Angostura, Regans' Orange, Peychaud's, Bittermens, and The Bitter Truth.