A newsletter for the industry pro (or aspiring pro).

Cocktails

A Manhattan for Every Mood

February 27, 2024

Story: Punch Staff

photo: Lizzie Munro

Cocktails

A Manhattan for Every Mood

February 27, 2024

Story: Punch Staff

photo: Lizzie Munro

From a Manhattan highball to a “reverse” take, here are our favorite recipes for the whiskey classic.

The Manhattan, one of the great drinks of the late 19th century, has a steady history as a perennial favorite. Drawing on a three-ingredient template consisting of two parts whiskey, one part sweet vermouth and bitters, it’s no surprise that the highly malleable drink has inspired a number of modern spinoffs. 

Among these 21st-century takes is Carlton Dunlap’s Raining on 110th St., which builds on a rye whiskey base, but is updated to include both sweet vermouth (in this case Cocchi di Torino) and Punt e Mes, plus a few dashes of coffee tincture. Likewise, Abigail Gullo’s bitter Wry Smile begins with a two-ounce measure of rye, to which she adds an ambitious half-ounce each of sweet vermouth, two types of amaro and, finally, a touch of cream sherry. Kacie Lambert’s Long Look Back, meanwhile, omits the sweet vermouth altogether; her drink, which begins with a split base of rye and Japanese whisky, is driven by herbaceous Amaro Braulio and balanced with a half-ounce of Demerara syrup and Angostura bitters.

Then there are those recipes that channel the Manhattan’s other classic offshoots, like the Brooklyn, which calls on rye whiskey, dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur and Amer Picon. Dating to the early 20th century, the Brooklyn has certainly grown its own cult following in recent years, though many of its more inspired twists are something of a mashup between the drink and its more iconic predecessor. Phil Ward’s Bushwick, for example, straddles the line between the two: Building on two ounces of rye whiskey and one of sweet vermouth, as a Manhattan might, it also includes a quarter-ounce each of maraschino and Amer Picon in a nod to the Brooklyn.

From a Chartreuse-infused take to a Manhattan highball, here are some of our favorite Manhattan recipes.

Brooklyn Cocktail Recipe
Recipes

Brooklyn

The lesser-known borough-based drink dates back to the first decade of the 20th century.

Manhattan Cocktail Recipe
Recipes

Raining on 110th St.

Coffee, vanilla and orange flavors bolster this Manhattan riff.

Little Italy Cocktail Recipe
Recipes

Richie Boccato’s Manhattan

A winning, archetypal recipe for the classic.

Mamajuana Manhattan
Recipes

Mamajuana Manhattan

The Dominican infusion, mamajuana, serves as the base for this riff on the classic Manhattan.

manhattan highball cocktail recipe
Recipes

Manhattan Highball

A classic Manhattan made tall by the addition of tonic water.

The Slope Manhattan Cocktail Recipe
Recipes

The Slope

The house Manhattan at Brooklyn's Clover Club displays a signature apricot note.

Manhattan Recipe
Recipes

French Manhattan

A riff on the American classic calls for Cognac and orange liqueur.

Recipes

Joaquín Simó’s Perfect Manhattan

A go-to formula that's adaptable to the vermouths of your choosing.

Black Manhattan Cocktail Recipe
Recipes

Black Manhattan

Averna stands in for sweet vermouth in this Manhattan-inspired modern classic.

Fourth Regiment COcktail Recipe
Recipes

Fourth Regiment

The ideal warm-weather Manhattan made with savory celery shrub.

Mr Brown Manhattan Cocktail Recipe
Recipes

Mr. Brown

A modern Manhattan on the rocks.

Recipes

Creole Cocktail

A modernized take on the early Manhattan variation.

Manhattan Cocktail Recipe
Recipes

Long Look Back

A Manhattan riff featuring a split base of rye whiskey, Japanese whisky and Braulio.

Revolver Manhattan Cocktail Recipe
Recipes

Revolver

A coffee liqueur-laced twist on the Manhattan.

Recipes

Wry Smile

Two amari and a cream sherry put a bittersweet spin on the Manhattan.

Greenpoint Manhattan Cocktail Recipe
Recipes

The Greenpoint

A spin on the Brooklyn, itself a twist on the Manhattan.

Recipes

Red Hook

One of the more enduring modern riffs on the Brooklyn cocktail.

Ce Soir Manhattan Recipe
Recipes

Ce Soir

A Manhattan by way of Boston.

session manhattan recipe
Recipes

Session Manhattan

Sweet vermouth and rye switch places.

Recipes

Tokyo Drift

A Japanese whisky Manhattan variation made with Cardamaro and saffron-infused Strega.

Rapscallion Cocktail
Recipes

Rapscallion

A European modern classic that reads like the love child of a Bobby Burns and a Sazerac.

Related Articles