Skip to main content
Epicurious
Gourmet

Perfect Bourbon Manhattans

By Shelley Wiseman

5.0

(11)

Image may contain Cream Food Dessert and Creme
Photo by Roland Bello

When this classic cocktail was invented, in the late 1800s, it called for rye. Here, bourbon gets to be the star, and the combination of sweet and dry vermouth makes our version "perfect."

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    5 min

  • Yield

    Makes 2 drinks

Ingredients

4 ounces (1/2 cup) bourbon
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) sweet vermouth
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) dry vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Garnish: maraschino cherries

Preparation

  1. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with cracked ice, then add all ingredients and shake or stir well. Strain into 2 chilled Martini glasses.

TagsCocktailAlcoholBeveragesBittersBourbonWhiskeyVermouth30 Minutes or LessNo-CookGourmet

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
Upside-Down Martinis for a Crowd
Invert the ratio of gin to vermouth for a party-friendly and slightly lighter drinking experience.
Sheet-Pan Hot Honey Chicken and Peaches
No grill needed for this just-charred-enough sweet and spicy chicken.
Spaghetti With So Much Zucchini
Loosely inspired by pasta Amatriciana, a few pounds of zucchini stand in for tomatoes.
The Most-Saved Recipes in the Epicurious App This Week
Like banana pudding cake and beer can chicken.
13 Types of Nuts and How to Cook With Them
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
Caramelized Onion Pasta
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Easy Banana Bread Recipe
Our go-to banana bread recipe is moist, nutty, and incredibly easy to make.
The Most-Saved Recipes in the Epicurious App in June
Like swordfish steaks with tomatoes and Peruvian-style tofu.