Black Manhattan
A modern twist on the classic Manhattan that swaps sweet vermouth for Averna amaro, creating a dark, bittersweet, and silky rye whiskey cocktail perfect for slow sipping after dinner—especially in fall and winter.
Ingredients
- 2 oz rye whiskey 90–100 proof recommended
- 1 oz Averna amaro or Ramazzotti, Montenegro, or Lucano as substitutes
- 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1-2 dashes orange bitters optional but recommended
- Ice for stirring
- 1 brandied cherry or orange peel, for garnish
Instructions
- Place a coupe or Nick & Nora glass in the freezer for 5–10 minutes, or fill it with ice water while you prepare the drink.
- Pour 2 oz rye whiskey into a mixing glass or sturdy pint glass.2 oz rye whiskey
- Add 1 oz Averna amaro to the mixing glass, keeping close to a 2:1 whiskey-to-amaro ratio.1 oz Averna amaro
- Add 2–3 dashes of Angostura bitters and 1–2 dashes of orange bitters (if using).2-3 dashes Angostura bitters, 1-2 dashes orange bitters
- Fill the mixing glass with ice almost to the top. Stir for 20–30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted. Taste; if it’s still very hot, stir 5–10 seconds longer.Ice
- If using orange peel, cut a wide strip, avoiding excess pith, and twist it over the mixing glass to express the oils. If using a cherry, place it on a cocktail pick.1 brandied cherry
- Empty any ice water from the chilled glass. Using a Hawthorne or fine-mesh strainer, strain the cocktail into the glass.
- Garnish with a brandied cherry, an orange peel twist, or both. Serve immediately and sip slowly.1 brandied cherry
Notes
Yield: 1 cocktail. Chill time for the glass is optional but improves the experience.
Variations:
- Bourbon Black Manhattan: Use bourbon instead of rye for a rounder, sweeter drink.
- Extra-Bitter Black Manhattan: Use a more bitter amaro like Cynar or Amaro Lucano and add an extra dash of Angostura.
- Smoky Black Manhattan: Replace 0.5 oz of rye with peated Scotch or mezcal.
- Coffee Black Manhattan: Add 0.25–0.5 oz coffee liqueur (e.g., Mr Black or Kahlúa).
- Low-Proof Black Manhattan: Use 1.5 oz rye and 1.5 oz Averna for a slightly lighter drink.
- Holiday Black Manhattan: Add a dash of chocolate bitters and garnish with a flamed orange peel. Batching (for parties):
- Combine 2 cups rye whiskey, 1 cup Averna, 2 tsp Angostura bitters, and 1 tsp orange bitters in a bottle.
- Store in the fridge up to 1 week.
- To serve, pour 3 oz of the mixture into a mixing glass with ice, stir 15–20 seconds, and strain into a chilled glass.
- For a ready-to-pour version, pre-dilute by adding about 20–25% filtered water after testing dilution on a single drink, then chill and serve directly into cold glasses. Single-serving storage: Leftover mixed cocktail can be refrigerated in a sealed jar for up to 24 hours; serve by stirring over ice and straining into a chilled glass.
- Bourbon Black Manhattan: Use bourbon instead of rye for a rounder, sweeter drink.
- Extra-Bitter Black Manhattan: Use a more bitter amaro like Cynar or Amaro Lucano and add an extra dash of Angostura.
- Smoky Black Manhattan: Replace 0.5 oz of rye with peated Scotch or mezcal.
- Coffee Black Manhattan: Add 0.25–0.5 oz coffee liqueur (e.g., Mr Black or Kahlúa).
- Low-Proof Black Manhattan: Use 1.5 oz rye and 1.5 oz Averna for a slightly lighter drink.
- Holiday Black Manhattan: Add a dash of chocolate bitters and garnish with a flamed orange peel. Batching (for parties):
- Combine 2 cups rye whiskey, 1 cup Averna, 2 tsp Angostura bitters, and 1 tsp orange bitters in a bottle.
- Store in the fridge up to 1 week.
- To serve, pour 3 oz of the mixture into a mixing glass with ice, stir 15–20 seconds, and strain into a chilled glass.
- For a ready-to-pour version, pre-dilute by adding about 20–25% filtered water after testing dilution on a single drink, then chill and serve directly into cold glasses. Single-serving storage: Leftover mixed cocktail can be refrigerated in a sealed jar for up to 24 hours; serve by stirring over ice and straining into a chilled glass.