Manhattan Recipe Cherry

Looking for a sweet cocktail with a little bit of an edge? This perfect Manhattan recipe has got you covered. Rye, sweet vermouth, bitters and some amarena cherries combine to form a drink that is as epic as the city it was named for. We are all about the pairing – Ourreverse seared ribeye steak recipewould go so well with this cocktail. Check it out if you’re preparing this as a pre-dinner drink.

Get my point? This drink covers all bases and spans all types of palates. And with only a few ingredients needed, this will also appeal to anyone looking for a simple, but classy cocktail.

Traditionally, the Manhattan is made using Rye. Legally speaking, rye must be fermented from a mash whose majority is grain as opposed to bourbon which must be fermented from a mash whose majority is corn. Some state that bourbons are a bit sweeter, while ryes tend to be more grassy.

The Perfect Manhattan Cocktail

I am unable to tell the difference between the two. And I’m not alone. According to a study conducted by Drexel University, the average consumer cannot discriminate between the two flavors. If you are interested in geeking out on this topic and learning more about mashbills of ryes, bourbons and American whiskeys, check out this article from the Smithsonian which goes into greater detail.

The main reason I used rye in this recipe is because it was my great-grandmothers alcohol of choice for her Manhattans and she’s the one who inspired me to make this in the first place. More on that in a few.

Maraschino cherries tend to get a bad rap, and I can see why. Often times, the more affordable brands are packed in high fructose corn syrup with lots of preservatives and get their color from Red 40. The brands with better ingredients, such as Luxardo can be pretty pricey – a 400g jar will run you anywhere from $18 – $24.

Classic Whiskey Manhattan Recipe With Variations

Enter the Amarena. These bold and tart beauties are my go-to for sweet cocktails, ice cream toppings and sometimes just pairing with cheese. And the best part is, I’ve found these at Trader Joe’s for under $5. Even better, they use carrot and hibiscus as coloring agents yielding this gorgeous deep purple, almost black cherry.

Manhattan will always be my favorite borough of New York City. It is not only the birthplace of my parents and grandparents, but it has this incredible energy and vibe about it that makes it unique.

From its skyscrapers, to its cobblestone streets in the historic districts, this city has so much to offer those who visit. The city really doesn’t sleep offering around the clock entertainment and dining options.

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But I’m not writing this to try and convince you to visit Manhattan. As always, I have a story to go with this drink.

My great-grandmother was born in Manhattan in 1917. A smart, shrewd and sassy woman, she rose through the ranks of the NY telephone company and was a financially independent, business-world pioneering, rock star of a woman. This was no small feat for that time, and I always admired her for that.

She passed away when I was 16 but I always remember her as a class act – almost a relic of the era and the city in which she came of age.

Recipe: The Ultimate Dessert Manhattan

Her liquor of choice was rye, and her favorite cocktail, named after the city that both challenged and developed her, was the Manhattan.

When I make a Manhattan for myself, or a loved one, I am not just mixing a cocktail. I’m carrying on a matrilineal tradition, adding a dash of history to its contents.

Grab a few cherries for your garnish. I like to skewer them but you can also place them in the bottom of the glass – the choice is yours! Strain and pour into your glass.

Classic Bourbon Manhattan Cocktail Recipe

If you liked this Manhattan with amarena cherries we would really appreciate it if you would share it on Instagram or Facebook using #.But one evening, I sipped off of a friend's manhattan (who happened to be an older gentleman) and was delighted at its hint of sweetness and underlying complexity.

The key to the manhattan lies in the addition of sweet, red vermouth, which balances out the tartness of bourbon (which is the whiskey most often used these days, though rye is traditional). A dash of Angostura bitters adds depth, and the drink is served either stirred with ice and strained into a martini glass, or poured over ice in a rocks glass. A glowing maraschino cherry is the typical garnish, and sometimes the dyed-red juice from the jar is added for sweetness and color.

With the abundance of sweet cherries in the market, I decided to make a manhattan the bojon way, by muddling fresh cherries with the other ingredients. The result is a tangy, smooth beverage that's strong enough for an old man, but made for a girly drinker like myself.

Manhattan Cocktail Recipe & Instructions

I thought of titling these womanhattans but a Google search revealed that cocktail consultant Ryan Magarian beat me to it with a womanhattan made with raspberry vodka added to the usual suspects.

For more Bojon Gourmet in your life, follow along onInstagram, Facebook, orPinterest, purchase my gluten-free cookbookAlternative Baker, orsubscribe to receive new posts via email. And if you make this sweet cherry Manhattan recipe, I’d love to know. Leave a comment and rating below, and tag your Instagram snaps @The_Bojon_Gourmet and #.*

Beware of splattering cherries as you muddle; wear an apron, and use a tall, thin vessel, such as a cocktail shaker, to contain the splashes.

Best Manhattan Cocktail Recipe

Calories: 206 kcal Carbohydrates: 11 g Protein: 1 g Fat: 1 g Saturated Fat: 1 g Sodium: 1 mg Potassium: 107 mg Fiber: 2 g Sugar: 7 g Vitamin C: 10.1 mg

In a tall, thin vessel, such as a cocktail shaker, muddle the cherries to a juicy pulp. Add the whiskey, vermouth and bitters, stir, and strain into a rocks glass over ice, pressing on the pulp to extract as much liquid as possible. (Be sure to eat the boozy pulp, but watch out for the cherry pits!) Garnish with the orange twist and cherry.

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Makers Mark Manhattan