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Black Manhattan

A dark, herbal twist on the Manhattan using Amaro Averna instead of sweet vermouth.

Swapping sweet vermouth for Averna gives the Manhattan a darker, more bitter edge, with notes of bitter chocolate and spice that rye handles well. The two-to-one ratio is the choice that matters: enough whiskey to keep it dry and spicy, enough amaro to set the tone. Stir it long and cold, because there is no soda here to do the diluting.

Prep
5 min
Serves
1
Difficulty
Easy

Black Manhattan

Prep 5 min · Serves 1 · Difficulty Easy

Method

  1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.

  2. Pour rye whiskey, Amaro Averna, and bitters.

  3. Stir well until chilled.

  4. Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.

  5. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Where it comes from

The Black Manhattan is not an Italian drink: bartender Todd Smith created it in San Francisco in 2005, first at the Cortez bar and then at his own Bourbon & Branch, and it spread with the American craft cocktail revival. The Italian part is the amaro, the bittersweet liqueur Italians pour after dinner as a digestivo.

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