Cocktails

Manhattan

Manhattan is an alcoholic cocktail built on Bourbon. It leans spice, bitter and caramel. Stirred and served in a Cocktail Glass. Expect about 38.1% ABV and roughly 223 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic38.1% ABV6 ingredients

At a Glance

223 kcalCalories

38.1%ABV

2.2gSugar

3.1gCarbs

2.08Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Moderatestirred drink

Why: 6 ingredients, stirred drink, requires bar spoon

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

3/4 ozSweet VermouthFortified Wine
2 1/2 oz BlendedBourbonBase Spirit
dashAngostura bittersBitters
2 or 3IceDilution
1Maraschino cherryGarnish
1 twist ofOrange peelGarnish

How to Make It

Stirred over ice, strained into a chilled glass, garnished, and served up.Stirred

How to Serve

Glass: Cocktail Glass
Temperature: Chilled
Ice: Ice
Method: Stirred

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Spice Bitter Caramel

Supporting notes

Herbal Oak Red Fruit Sweet Vanilla

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong

BodyLight – Full

SweetnessDry – Sweet

BoldnessDelicate – Bold

High ABV
Full-bodied
Bold and complex

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

After DinnerSuggested from the drink's flavour and serve.
BBQ / CookoutSuggested from its oak notes, pairing with bbq and grilled meat.
Winter / CozySuggested from its spice notes.

Occasion tags are inferred from drink style, serving format, flavour profile, food-pairing theme, recipe metadata, and strict multi-signal supplemental rule matches.

Food pairings

BBQ Steak Grilled Meat

Food pairings are derived from the drink flavour signature, mapped to one dominant pairing theme, then limited to coherent public suggestions.

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Gluten-Free Vegan Vegetarian

Not compatible

KetoLow-CarbLow-Sugar

Diet tags are ingredient-level and nutrition-estimate based. Product brands, preparation methods, quantities, and substitutions may change compatibility.

Alternatives to try

Choose an ingredient to see reviewed substitutions, or filter for a different preference.

Reviewed ingredient substitutions

Sweet Vermouth3/4 oz

Rosso VermouthGood swap

How much to use: Use the same amount; adjust only for the specific bottle’s sweetness and bitterness.
What changes: Rosso vermouth is a sweet red vermouth and is usually a close replacement for a generic sweet vermouth.

Bourbon2 1/2 oz Blended

Rye WhiskeyWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Use the same amount; adjust sweetener if the drink becomes too dry.
What changes: Rye whiskey can replace bourbon when a spicier, drier version is acceptable.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Angostura Bittersdash

Aromatic BittersWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Start with the recipe’s dash count and taste before adding more.
What changes: Another aromatic bitters can replace Angostura when some change in spice and fruit character is acceptable.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Orange BittersNot a neutral swap

How much to use: Start with the recipe’s dash count and taste; the result will lose some baking-spice character.
What changes: Orange bitters can replace Angostura only when a brighter, more citrus-led result is acceptable.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Orange Peel1 twist of

Orange TwistGood swap

How much to use: Use a similar-sized twist.
What changes: An orange twist is usually a close substitute for orange peel.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Reviewed component substitutions are not guarantees that the replacement was tested in this exact recipe. Follow the reviewed adjustment note and taste before serving.

Preference filters use current ingredient, nutrition and diet evidence. They are not medical advice, and this database contract does not store user selections.

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Last updated July 12, 2026

Ingredients, measures and method are taken from the source recipe; roles and serving details are mapped from reviewed evidence.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a Manhattan?: The Manhattan is a cocktail made with 6 ingredients, traditionally served in a Cocktail Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 38.1%. A standard serving contains approximately 223 calories.
What does a Manhattan taste like?: Manhattan has a flavour profile featuring Spice, Bitter, Caramel, Herbal. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a Manhattan?: Manhattan pairs well with BBQ, Steak, Grilled Meat. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a Manhattan?: The Manhattan has an ABV of approximately 38.1%. That's approximately 2.08 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 223 kcal, 2.2g sugar, 3.1g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Manhattan typically served?: Manhattan is often suggested for After Dinner, BBQ / Cookout, Winter / Cozy, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Manhattan?: If you enjoy Manhattan, the "similar flavour profile" suggestions on this page point to cocktails that share its flavour character. Drinks with a matching spirit base and comparable body and acidity feel closest.
Can I make a Manhattan at home?: Yes. The Manhattan uses 6 ingredients, making it more involved to prepare at home. You will need a Cocktail Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.
What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?: Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Body (light to full), Dryness (sweet to bone dry), Acidity (flat to crisp), Fruitiness (subtle to prominent) and Boldness (delicate to bold). Each scale helps you compare cocktails at a glance and find ones with similar character.
How do I use sensory profiles to find cocktails I like?: Compare the Body, Acidity and Fruitiness of Manhattan with other cocktails. If you enjoy this drink, look for others with a similar profile. Adjust one dimension at a time to discover new favourites while staying in your flavour comfort zone.