The Black Manhattan

188px-shabbybooz_cynar_double.jpgA quick search of cocktail recipes will find a class of drinks called “the Black Manhattan.” Many substitute Irish Whiskey for Bourbon (or Rye). Others substitute an amaro for the sweet vermouth.

Basically, these all drinks are extensions of the classic Manhattan recipe (3 parts Rye or Bourbon, 1 part sweet vermouth, bitters), shaded towards the bitter side.


Here’s my current favorite:

Black Manhattan
a darker, more bitter version of the original

3 ounces Russell’s Rye
3/4 ounce Cynar
dash Fee Brother’s Orange Bitters

stir briskly, serve up with a cherry

The original Manhattan can seem too sweet to some. Not this one.

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May 21, 2008 by John Martin under Spirits

One Response to “The Black Manhattan”

  1. Posted by: f e - 02/01/2010

    Oof! This girl loves a nice Manhattan, but I think it’s best to note that many may find this is a serious mule-kick. Certainly not the smooth pleasure of the classic Manhattan.

    I adore Cynar and I do enjoy my whiskey. Yet making this cocktail in this proportion today I felt drunk half-way through. Most people will want to make this on the small side, for sure.

    Because I think Cynar’s fantastic, I might try this again in a 2-1, not 4-1, mix.

    That aside, let me say the orange bitters gives this drink a gorgeous, gorgeous scent. And for that reason instead of a cherry, I garnished with a large twist of blood orange, which was divine.

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