Bourbon Manhattan Cocktail
This classic bourbon Manhattan recipe is dedicated to my friend, Alex, in Maine, who loves the cocktail’s delightfully sweet taste when the bourbon and vermouth are properly balanced.

One day on Facebook, I asked the question: What cocktail do you want to see me make for the blog? I got some good answers and the one I chose for this week was the delightful bourbon Manhattan cocktail. When Alex proposed this recipe, I had already posted two variations of the Manhattan: whiskey and a Southern Comfort, so I asked him if he still wanted this perfect Manhattan.
He said yes.
So here it is! I love a good classic Manhattan and so did my mom so I always think of her when I make this classic cocktail.
I didn’t always like the taste of this cocktail. My two cocktails are the Cadillac margarita and the dirty martini.
What changed my mind was the show Mad Men. They drank so much bourbon, I had to go to the liquor store to pick up a bourbon nip (two ounce bottle). I poured it out and watched one of the episodes and that’s what started my love of making bourbon whiskey drinks like this one.
If you want to learn more about bourbon, read my comprehensive guide here.
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Helpful tips
- Although I like to use a cocktail shaker, you can also place the ingredients in a mixing glass and stir it with a cocktail spoon.
- Buy the best bourbon you can afford for this cocktail because in a cocktail like this since there are basically only 2 ingredients which means you can more easily taste the difference.
- If you can, get some fun bitters. I purchased Woodford Reserve flavored bitters. The package arrived with 4 different flavors: spiced cherry, orange, aromatic and chocolate. I’ve used them all and they’re delightful, but my favorite is spiced cherry. This recipe calls for 5 drops for two cocktails, but I usually use 10 for two drinks. You need to play around with the amount of bitters to see what suits you.
- If you don’t have fancy bitters, it’s perfectly fine to use Angostura or an orange bitters.
- You can serve this Manhattan straight up or on the rocks. I like mine straight up and served in a martini glass. My mother used to drink her Manhattans on the rocks.
- Whenever I use maraschino cherries as garnish, I rinse them off so the juice they are stored in doesn’t infiltrate the cocktail.
- If you’d like to, you can garnish this drink with an orange peel, but I like it with just a maraschino cherry.
How to make the bourbon Manhattan
Pre step
Get a cocktail shaker and fill it halfway with ice. Also take out your glasses and 2 cherries for the garnish. I happened to use one regular maraschino and a Luxardo cherry.
After you measure out each ingredient, pour it into the cocktail shaker.
Step one
Gather the ingredients – Kentucky straight bourbon, sweet vermouth and spiced cherry bitters.

Step two
Measure 4 ounces of bourbon.

Step three
Measure 2 ounces of sweet vermouth.
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Step four
If you use Angostura bitters, shake 5 drops in the shaker. If you use Woodford Reserve bitters, which come with a dropper, squeeze 5 – 10 drops in the shaker.
You may have to play around with the amount of bitters, but I’ve found 5 drops per cocktail is perfect, especially when I use the spiced cherry flavor.

Step five
Cap the cocktail shaker and shake for 20 seconds. Place a big ice cube in the double old fashioned glass and leave the martini glass naked, although it was a chilled cocktail glass. Strain the contents between the two glasses.
Step six
For the finishing touch, place one cherry in each cocktail. Let’s see the martini glass filled with this famous cocktail.

Let’s look at an overhead view of the double old fashioned glass.

Here’s a vertical shot of the lovely drink.

I hope you enjoyed this bourbon Manhattan cocktail recipe.
Other delicious bourbon cocktails
And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!
If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love the know what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!

Bourbon Manhattan Cocktail
Ingredients
Cocktail
- 4 ounces bourbon
- 2 ounce sweet vermouth
- 5 drops Woodford Reserves bitters (see notes and tips as I use 10 drops for 2 cocktails)
Garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker 1/2 way with ice
- Add bourbon, sweet vermouth and the dashes of bitters4 ounces bourbon, 2 ounce sweet vermouth, 5 drops Woodford Reserves bitters
- Cap the shaker and shake for 20 seconds
- Place an ice cube in the old fashioned glass and strain and divide the liquid between the two glasses
- Plop the cherries in each drink2 maraschino cherries
- Sip
- Smile
- Enjoy
Would you like to save this recipe?
Don't worry, I promise not to spam you.
Video
Notes
- Although I like to use a cocktail shaker, you can also place the ingredients in a mixing glass and stir it with a cocktail spoon.
- Buy the best bourbon you can afford for this cocktail because in a cocktail like this since there are basically only 2 ingredients which means you can more easily taste the difference.
- If you can, get some fun bitters. I purchased Woodford Reserve flavored bitters. The package arrived with 4 different flavors: spiced cherry, orange, aromatic and chocolate. I’ve used them all and they’re delightful, but my favorite is spiced cherry. This recipe calls for 5 drops for two cocktails, but I usually use 10 for two drinks. You need to play around with the amount of bitters to see what suits you.
- If you don’t have fancy bitters, it’s perfectly fine to use Angostura or an orange bitters.
- You can serve this Manhattan straight up or on the rocks. I like mine straight up and served in a martini glass. My mother used to drink her Manhattans on the rocks.
- Whenever I use maraschino cherries as garnish, I rinse them off so the juice they are stored in doesn’t infiltrate the cocktail.
- If you’d like to, you can garnish this drink with an orange peel, but I like it with just a maraschino cherry.
Nutrition
Originally published August, 2016.
From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to food journalist, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.
Love a good bourbon cocktail… thank you darling exclamation point
Yes, I know you do! Whenever I make a bourbon cocktail, I think of you Vince!
Manhattans are my favorite cocktail because I love bourbon. Your recipe was perfect. I like strong drinks and only have one, but when I do, I want my cocktail strong and tasty.
Hehe. I’m with you on that one Adriana! Thanks for your comment!
My husband loves this kind of cocktail. I made it for both of us and we really enjoyed it.
Thanks, Liz. I appreciate it.
My bourbon loving friend visited and I needed a good Manhattan recipe. She loved it.
Thanks so much, Kelly!
I am a huge fan of bourbon and I love this cocktail! Thanks!
Woohoo! Thanks and cheers, Eileen!
Thanks for yet another delicious recipe Lainey, I love my bourbon and this Manhattan was delish, appreciate all the good tips too!
Thanks so much, Patty!
Most picky bourbon Manhattan drinkers will tell you it’s the VERMOUTH that makes the drink, not the whiskey.
Try Antica….. you’ll never go back.
Thanks John and Marsha. My mom used to say that about her manhattans, but I can’t remember what kind she used. I just put Antica on my “must buy” list! Thanks for the comment.