Manhattan (cocktail) - Variations

Variations

Traditional views insist that a Manhattan be made with rye whiskey. However, nowadays, it is more often than not made with bourbon or Canadian whisky (both of which may contain no rye at all.).

The Manhattan is subject to considerable variation and innovation, and is often a way for the best bartenders to show off their creativity. Some shake the ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker instead of stirring it, creating a froth on the surface of the drink. Angostura are the classic bitters, but orange bitters, Peychaud's Bitters, and even the lack of any bitters, may be used; using Fernet-Branca yields what is called a Fanciulli cocktail. Some make their own bitters and syrups, substitute comparable digestifs in place of vermouth, specialize in local or rare whiskeys, or use other exotic ingredients. A lemon peel may be used as garnish. Some add juice from the cherry jar or Maraschino liqueur to the cocktail for additional sweetness and color.

Originally, bitters were considered an integral part of any cocktail, as the ingredient that differentiated a cocktail from a sling. Over time, those definitions of cocktail and sling have become archaic, as sling has fallen out of general use (other than in certain drink names), and cocktail can mean any drink that resembles a martini, or simply any mixed drink.

The following are other variations on the classic Manhattan:

  • A Rob Roy is made with Scotch whisky.
  • A Dry Manhattan is made with dry vermouth instead of sweet vermouth and served with a twist.
  • A Perfect Manhattan is made with equal parts sweet and dry vermouth.
  • A Brandy Manhattan is made with brandy rather than rye.
  • A Ruby Manhattan is made with port rather than vermouth.
  • A Metropolitan is similar to a brandy manhattan, but with a 3-to-1 ratio of brandy to vermouth.
  • A Cuban Manhattan is a Perfect Manhattan with dark rum as its principal ingredient.
  • A Royal Manhattan is made with Crown Royal Canadian Whisky.
  • A Southern Manhattan is made with Southern Comfort.
  • A Tijuana Manhattan is made with an Anejo Tequila.
  • The Fourth Regiment is a classic (ca. 1889) cocktail that uses a 1/1 ratio of whiskey and vermouth, and uses three dashes of three different bitters - orange bitters, celery bitters, and Peychaud's Bitters.

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