Perfect Manhattan
A refined Manhattan where sweet and dry vermouth meet in balance around the spicy core of rye whiskey.
Ingredients
- Rye whiskey50 ml
- Sweet vermouth12.5 ml
- Dry vermouth12.5 ml
- Aromatic bitters (Angostura)e.g. Angostura2 dashes
- Lemon, lemon peel, expressed over the drink (optional)1 twist
- Cocktail cherry, as an alternative garnish (optional)1 whole
Method
- Chill a coupe or martini glass.
- Pour the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, dry vermouth and bitters into a mixing glass.
- Fill the mixing glass three-quarters with ice and stir calmly for 30–45 seconds, until cold and lightly diluted.
- Strain into the chilled glass through a Hawthorne or julep strainer.
- Garnish with a strip of lemon peel expressed over the drink, or with a cocktail cherry.
About this drink
The Manhattan is thought to have come out of New York in the late 1800s, and the 'Perfect' version split the sweet vermouth equally with dry. The result is less sweet and more aromatic than the original while keeping the warmth of the whiskey and the spiced depth of the bitters. It is a classic that shows how a small change in ratio can give a drink a whole new character.
Questions and answers
What does 'perfect' mean in a Perfect Manhattan?
It means equal parts sweet and dry vermouth instead of sweet alone, a technique found in several classic cocktails that gives a drier, more balanced drink.
Bourbon or rye in a Perfect Manhattan?
Bourbon makes the drink sweeter and rounder, while rye keeps it drier and spicier. Both work well with the split vermouth.
