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Similar drinks

Cocktails Like a Manhattan

If you like manhattan, what you probably like is a specific combination of flavor, structure, and strength. These alternatives share enough of that profile to work as substitutes — while being distinct enough to be interesting in their own right.

25Recipes reviewed
25Matching this guide
16.6gMedian sugar
289 kcalMedian calories
25.9%Median ABV

Most similar drinks

#DrinkWhy it ranksBest for
1GrandfatherShares 10 flavors: sweet, bitter, oak
2Bourbon CrustaShares 10 flavors: sweet, bitter, oak
3ChaplinShares 10 flavors: sweet, bitter, oak
4Angel's ShareShares 10 flavors: sweet, bitter, oak
5Dixie Whiskey CocktailShares 10 flavors: sweet, bitter, oak
6California LemonadeShares 10 flavors: sweet, oak, neutral
7Francis The MuleShares 9 flavors: sweet, bitter, oak
8DublinerShares 9 flavors: sweet, bitter, oak
9Fancy-Free CocktailShares 9 flavors: bitter, oak, citrus
10Emperor Norton's MistressShares 9 flavors: sweet, oak, citrus
11ShalomShares 9 flavors: sweet, oak, neutral
12Fancy WhiskeyShares 9 flavors: sweet, bitter, oak
13Irish Whisky CocktailShares 9 flavors: sweet, bitter, oak
14Soul Kiss CocktailShares 9 flavors: sweet, oak, citrus
15ChasShares 9 flavors: sweet, oak, citrus
16Jocose JulepShares 9 flavors: sweet, oak, neutral
17Irish Curdling CowShares 9 flavors: sweet, oak, neutral
18East India Cocktail No. 1Shares 9 flavors: sweet, bitter, oak
19Planter's Punch No. 2Shares 8 flavors: sweet, citrus, caramel
20Brandy Crusta CocktailShares 8 flavors: sweet, bitter, oak
21AmericanaShares 8 flavors: sweet, bitter, oak
22Daisy DuellerShares 8 flavors: sweet, oak, citrus
23Back Porch SwizzleShares 8 flavors: sweet, oak, citrus
24Harvard CocktailShares 8 flavors: sweet, bitter, oak
25Rebel ChargeShares 8 flavors: sweet, oak, citrus

Best picks by use case

Lowest sugar

Grandfather

3.0g estimated sugar

~197 kcal · 3.0g sugar

Lowest calories

Soul Kiss Cocktail

~191 kcal estimated

~191 kcal · 10.6g sugar

Simplest recipe

Americana

4 ingredients

~294 kcal · 43.8g sugar

Methodology

Is this guide right for you?

Good fit if:

  • You want a data-backed shortlist of drink options
  • You want ranked results rather than a generic list
  • You want to compare options across a specific axis

Poor fit if:

  • You need medical or dietary advice
  • You need exact bar-specific values — these are data estimates
  • You need a complete guide to this drink category

Frequently asked questions

What is a manhattan?
Manhattan is a cocktail with a specific flavor profile and ingredient structure. If you already like manhattan, the drinks on this page share key characteristics — spirit base, flavor direction, or occasion fit.
What does a manhattan taste like?
Manhattan is defined by its signature flavor profile. The alternatives on this page were selected because they share similar flavor tags and drink characteristics from WhatDrink data.
Why might someone want an alternative to manhattan?
Common reasons include ingredient availability, preference for a different ABV level, wanting a different flavor intensity, or simply exploring new drinks in the same style.
How similar are these drinks to manhattan?
Similarity is scored on shared flavor tags, glass type, and occasion fit in WhatDrink data. Drinks at the top of the list share the most overlap with manhattan. Individual taste will affect how similar they feel in practice.
How many alternatives to manhattan are on this page?
This page shows 25 alternatives ranked by similarity score. All pass the same quality filters as individual cocktail pages.
When should I drink something like manhattan?
If you enjoy manhattan, the alternatives here suit similar occasions and moods. Look at the occasion tags on each drink card to find the best fit for your context.
Can I make these at home?
Most cocktails similar to manhattan use accessible bar ingredients. Click through to any individual recipe page for a full ingredient list and step-by-step preparation guide.