Black Manhattan
- Glass
- Coupe
- Difficulty
- Easy
- ABV
- ~29%
Ingredients
- 2 ozrye whiskey (rittenhouse 100 proof)60 ml
- 1 ozamaro (averna)30 ml
- 2 dashesangostura bitters2 dashes
- 2 dashesorange bitters (regan's no. 6)2 dashes
Instructions
Combine rye whiskey, Averna, Angostura bitters, and orange bitters in a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir for 30 seconds — the amaro is denser than vermouth, so it needs a bit more time to integrate fully. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a cocktail cherry — a Luxardo or Amarena cherry works best, dropped gently into the center. The Black Manhattan swaps sweet vermouth for amaro, creating a darker, more brooding version of the classic that's become a modern staple.
Sips & Tips
Technique
Stir for a full 30 seconds. Averna is thicker and sweeter than vermouth, so it needs more dilution to find its balance. Under-stirred, the drink tastes syrupy; properly diluted, the amaro's orange peel and herb notes emerge cleanly. Chill your coupe in the freezer for at least 5 minutes — this drink warms quickly and loses its edge at room temperature.
Balance
Rittenhouse 100 proof is the ideal rye here — its high proof and spice cut through Averna's sweetness without getting lost. The 2:1 ratio keeps the whiskey dominant while the amaro provides depth. Both bitters are important: Angostura adds warm spice, Regan's orange bitters add citrus brightness that lifts the drink. Don't skip either.
History
The Black Manhattan was created by bartender Todd Smith at Bourbon & Branch in San Francisco around 2005. It emerged during the craft cocktail renaissance when bartenders were rediscovering amari and experimenting with classic templates. The drink proved that amaro could replace vermouth in stirred cocktails — opening the door to countless variations that followed.
The Black Manhattan is the Manhattan's darker, more complex sibling — all the elegance with an extra layer of herbal depth. It's a modern classic that earned its place. Cheers.
Variations
Black Manhattan with Cynar
Replace Averna with Cynar for a more vegetal, artichoke-forward version. Cynar is less sweet than Averna, so the drink becomes drier and more bitter. Add a barspoon of demerara syrup if you want to maintain some sweetness.
Bourbon Black Manhattan
Swap the rye for a high-proof bourbon like Wild Turkey 101. The bourbon's caramel and vanilla notes create a rounder, sweeter drink that's more approachable for Manhattan newcomers. Keep the Averna at 1 oz — bourbon's sweetness means you don't need more.
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Black Manhattan
Glass: Coupe | Difficulty: Easy | ABV: ~29%
Ingredients
- 2 oz rye whiskey (rittenhouse 100 proof)
- 1 oz amaro (averna)
- 2 dashes angostura bitters
- 2 dashes orange bitters (regan's no. 6)
Instructions
Combine rye whiskey, Averna, Angostura bitters, and orange bitters in a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir for 30 seconds — the amaro is denser than vermouth, so it needs a bit more time to integrate fully. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a cocktail cherry — a Luxardo or Amarena cherry works best, dropped gently into the center. The Black Manhattan swaps sweet vermouth for amaro, creating a darker, more brooding version of the classic that's become a modern staple.