Tequila Manhattan
A precise tequila take on the Manhattan: warm agave, sweet vermouth and a dash of Angostura, stirred cold and silky.
Ingredients
- Añejo tequila60 ml
- Sweet vermouth30 ml
- Aromatic bitters (Angostura)e.g. Angostura2 dashes
- Brown sugar, optional, for a rounder sweetness (optional)1 cube
- Maraschino liqueur, or syrup from a jar of Luxardo cherries; optional extra sweetness (optional)5 ml
- Orange, orange peel, to garnish (optional)1 twist
- Cocktail cherry, or a Luxardo cherry as an alternative garnish (optional)1 whole
Method
- Chill a coupe or rocks glass thoroughly.
- Pour the tequila, sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters into a mixing glass, adding the sugar cube or maraschino for extra sweetness if you like.
- Fill the mixing glass with plenty of ice and stir calmly for 30–45 seconds, until ice cold and lightly diluted.
- Strain into the chilled glass, straight up in a coupe or over one large ice cube in a rocks glass.
- Express the oils from a piece of orange peel over the drink and drop it in, or garnish with a Luxardo cherry instead.
About this drink
The Tequila Manhattan is a modern reading of the classic, with the rye swapped for a well-aged añejo tequila. The agave spirit's caramel and oak notes stand in for the whiskey's spiced sweetness, while sweet vermouth and Angostura keep the drink's classic backbone. It has become a favourite among bartenders who want to show off agave's finesse in a familiar, elegant format.
Questions and answers
What is a Tequila Manhattan?
A Manhattan variation in which añejo tequila replaces rye whiskey. The barrel-aged tequila's caramel and vanilla notes work surprisingly well with sweet vermouth and bitters.
Why añejo rather than blanco tequila in a Tequila Manhattan?
Añejo's long barrel ageing gives it the caramel and oak a Manhattan structure needs. Blanco's clean, sharp profile would not give the same depth and roundness.
