There’s something undeniably elegant about a Manhattan—the smooth blend of whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters has stood the test of time as a go-to cocktail for decades. But if you’re looking to elevate this classic with a deeper, more complex flavor profile, the Black Manhattan is a must-try. This contemporary twist on the traditional recipe swaps out sweet vermouth for amaro, an Italian herbal liqueur known for its bittersweet richness and aromatic depth.
The result? A cocktail that’s both familiar and refreshingly different—smooth, bold, and layered with intriguing flavors. The Black Manhattan maintains the strong backbone of rye or bourbon while introducing the complexity of amaro, which brings herbal, spicy, and subtly sweet notes to the mix. It’s a drink that feels right at home in a dimly lit cocktail bar, yet it’s surprisingly easy to craft in your own kitchen.
Whether you’re an experienced cocktail enthusiast or just starting to explore the world of mixology, this recipe offers a fantastic way to upgrade your cocktail repertoire. In this post, I’ll walk you through the ingredients, the preparation, and a few tips to help you make the perfect Black Manhattan—a cocktail that’s ideal for winding down in style or impressing guests with something a little unexpected.
What Is a Black Manhattan?
The Black Manhattan is a modern variation of the classic Manhattan cocktail, offering a deeper, more complex flavor profile by replacing sweet vermouth with amaro, an Italian herbal liqueur. While it maintains the core structure of the original Manhattan—whiskey, bitters, and a fortified or herbal modifier—the Black Manhattan introduces a bold twist that appeals to those who appreciate a more layered, bittersweet drinking experience.
This cocktail was first introduced in the early 2000s by Todd Smith, a bartender at San Francisco’s Bourbon & Branch, one of the leading bars in the craft cocktail revival movement. Smith replaced the vermouth in the traditional recipe with Averna, a smooth and slightly bitter Sicilian amaro, creating what would soon become a modern classic in its own right.
The name “Black Manhattan” refers not only to the darker appearance of the drink—thanks to the deep color of most amaros—but also to its more brooding and intense flavor. It’s still elegant and spirit-forward, but with added herbal, earthy, and sometimes citrusy or chocolatey notes, depending on the amaro used.
What makes the Black Manhattan particularly special is its versatility and adaptability. Different amaros can be swapped in for unique results, and the choice of base spirit (typically rye or bourbon) can shift the cocktail’s personality from spicy and dry to rich and mellow.
In essence, the Black Manhattan is a cocktail for those who love classics but aren’t afraid to explore bold flavors. It’s the perfect drink for cooler evenings, a nightcap by the fire, or an impressive offering at a cocktail party.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Crafting a perfect Black Manhattan starts with selecting high-quality ingredients that complement each other. Each component plays a key role in the drink’s balance—bold, bittersweet, and smooth. Below are the essential elements you’ll need to bring this modern classic to life.
Choosing the Right Whiskey (Rye or Bourbon)
The base of any Manhattan-style cocktail is the whiskey, and in the case of the Black Manhattan, you can choose either rye or bourbon—each delivering a distinct character to the drink:
- Rye whiskey is the traditional choice and offers a spicier, drier profile that pairs beautifully with the herbal bitterness of amaro. It creates a sharper, more assertive Black Manhattan.
- Bourbon, on the other hand, is smoother and slightly sweeter, lending a richer mouthfeel and a more rounded drink.
Ultimately, the best whiskey is the one that suits your taste. Brands like Bulleit Rye, Rittenhouse, Wild Turkey 101, or Buffalo Trace Bourbon are excellent options to start with.
Best Types of Amaro for a Black Manhattan
What sets the Black Manhattan apart is its use of amaro in place of vermouth. Amaro is an Italian herbal liqueur known for its complexity and bitter-sweet flavor. Not all amaros are the same, so choosing the right one is key:
- Averna: The most popular choice for a Black Manhattan—smooth, slightly sweet, and well-balanced.
- Amaro Montenegro: Lighter and more floral; great if you prefer a softer touch.
- Cynar: A bolder, more vegetal option with artichoke as a main ingredient; for adventurous palates.
- Amaro Nonino: Elegant and aromatic with citrus and spice notes, excellent for a refined version of the cocktail.
Try experimenting to find your personal favorite—each amaro creates a distinct take on the Black Manhattan.
Bitters and Garnishes
A few dashes of aromatic bitters round out the drink and elevate its complexity:
- Angostura bitters are the standard and add warmth and spice.
- Orange bitters bring a hint of brightness and enhance the herbal notes of the amaro.
- You can also experiment with chocolate or cherry bitters for a twist.
For garnish, keep it classic and elegant:
- A brandied cherry adds a touch of sweetness.
- A twist of orange peel brightens the nose and complements the amaro’s citrus notes.
- A lemon twist works well with certain amaros for a fresh contrast.
Optional Modifications
Once you’ve mastered the basics, there’s plenty of room for personalization. Here are a few creative ways to customize your Black Manhattan:
- Smoked Black Manhattan: Use smoked bitters or add a smoke rinse for a dramatic, savory element.
- Barrel-aged version: Age the mixed cocktail in a mini barrel or bottle for a few weeks to intensify the flavors.
- Split base: Mix rye and bourbon together to balance spice and sweetness.
- Low-proof version: Try using less whiskey and more amaro for a lighter, more aperitif-style drink.
How to Make a Classic Black Manhattan
Now that you’ve got your ingredients ready, it’s time to craft the Black Manhattan—a cocktail that’s as impressive as it is easy to make. With just a few steps, you can create a drink that’s both sophisticated and full of bold, layered flavors.
Step-by-Step Recipe
Here’s the classic formula for a balanced and smooth Black Manhattan:
Ingredients:
- 2 oz rye or bourbon
- 1 oz amaro (Averna is a popular choice)
- 1–2 dashes Angostura or orange bitters
- Garnish: brandied cherry or orange peel
Instructions:
- Add the whiskey, amaro, and bitters into a mixing glass filled with ice.
- Stir well for 20–30 seconds, until the drink is well-chilled and properly diluted.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass or a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
- Garnish with a brandied cherry or a twist of orange peel, expressing the oils over the surface of the drink.
This recipe creates a smooth, spirit-forward cocktail with a rich, herbal finish.
Tools You’ll Need
To make a Black Manhattan like a pro, you don’t need an elaborate bar setup—just a few reliable tools:
- Mixing glass – Ideal for stirring spirit-based drinks.
- Bar spoon – Allows for smooth, controlled stirring.
- Jigger – Ensures accurate measurements for balance.
- Strainer – To filter the drink as you pour it into your glass.
- Coupe or rocks glass – Use a coupe for a more elegant presentation, or a rocks glass for a more relaxed vibe.
Having quality tools not only makes mixing easier but enhances the overall experience.
Presentation Tips
Cocktail presentation adds to the sensory pleasure of the drink. Here’s how to make your Black Manhattan look as good as it tastes:
- Chill your glass beforehand for a crisper, cleaner serve.
- Use a large, clear ice cube in a rocks glass to slow dilution and add visual appeal.
- Opt for garnish with intention—a high-quality brandied cherry or a neatly peeled citrus twist elevates the aesthetic.
- If you’re hosting, consider serving it on a small tray with a cocktail napkin or in vintage glassware for added charm.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even a simple cocktail like the Black Manhattan can go wrong if you’re not careful. Here are some common pitfalls—and how to avoid them:
- Using a harsh or overly bitter amaro: Not all amaros are suitable; start with smoother options like Averna or Montenegro.
- Over-stirring or under-stirring: Aim for 20–30 seconds. Too short and it won’t chill; too long and it becomes watery.
- Cheap whiskey: The drink is spirit-forward, so quality matters. Choose a whiskey you’d enjoy sipping neat.
- Skipping the garnish: It’s more than decoration—it adds aroma and balance.
Exploring the Flavor Profile
The Black Manhattan is more than just a cocktail—it’s an experience of complex flavors that dance between boldness and subtlety. Understanding its flavor profile helps you appreciate why this variation has become a favorite among cocktail enthusiasts looking for something deeper than the classic Manhattan.
Bold, Herbal, and Balanced
At its core, the Black Manhattan is a bold cocktail with a beautifully balanced herbal complexity. The rye or bourbon whiskey provides a strong, warming backbone with notes of spice, caramel, or vanilla depending on your choice. When combined with amaro, the cocktail gains layers of herbal bitterness, subtle sweetness, and earthy undertones that create a multidimensional drinking experience.
This herbal complexity can include flavors like citrus peel, roots, spices, and even hints of chocolate or coffee, depending on the amaro used. The bitters further refine the cocktail, adding aromatic warmth and depth, ensuring each sip is rich and nuanced without being overpowering.
How Amaro Changes the Cocktail
Swapping sweet vermouth for amaro is what truly sets the Black Manhattan apart. While vermouth lends a lightly sweet, wine-based flavor with herbal hints, amaro introduces a broader spectrum of bitterness and sweetness. Amaro’s herbal composition—often containing botanicals like gentian root, anise, orange peel, and various spices—adds complexity and intrigue.
This substitution turns the Black Manhattan into a more robust, layered cocktail. The bitterness cuts through the whiskey’s sweetness, balancing the drink and making it less cloying. It also introduces a slight dryness and earthy character, which evolves on the palate with every sip.
Rye vs Bourbon: Which One is Better?
The choice between rye and bourbon plays a significant role in the Black Manhattan’s flavor profile:
- Rye whiskey tends to be spicier and more peppery, which accentuates the cocktail’s bitterness and herbal notes. If you prefer a sharper, more assertive drink, rye is the way to go.
- Bourbon offers a sweeter, fuller body with caramel, vanilla, and oak undertones. Using bourbon results in a softer, smoother Black Manhattan that’s slightly sweeter and rounds out the amaro’s bitterness nicely.
Both spirits create excellent results; it ultimately depends on your personal preference for spice versus sweetness.
Tasting Notes from Real Enthusiasts
Many cocktail lovers describe the Black Manhattan as a “perfect balance of boldness and sophistication.” Some note how the amaro’s bittersweet nature adds a welcome complexity not found in the classic Manhattan, making it feel more modern and versatile.
On tasting forums and reviews, enthusiasts often mention the drink’s velvety texture, herbal aroma, and the pleasant lingering bitterness that invites another sip. The garnish of orange peel or brandied cherry also contributes subtle citrus or fruity notes that brighten the drink.
If you’re new to amaros or bitter cocktails, the Black Manhattan is often a gateway drink—offering complexity without overwhelming the palate.
More Manhattan Variations to Try
While the Black Manhattan offers a bold and herbal twist on the classic, the Manhattan family of cocktails is rich with variations—each with its own unique charm. Exploring these different takes can broaden your cocktail horizons and inspire your next mixology adventure.
The Classic Manhattan
The original Manhattan is a timeless cocktail made with rye or bourbon whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. It’s the perfect starting point if you want to appreciate how the Black Manhattan innovates on tradition. The sweet vermouth brings a fruity, slightly floral sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the whiskey’s warmth.
- Typically garnished with a maraschino cherry.
- Simple yet elegant and a staple in cocktail culture.
- Perfect for those who enjoy a balanced and smooth drink without the herbal bitterness of amaro.
The Perfect Manhattan
The “Perfect” Manhattan introduces a balance between sweet and dry vermouth, giving the drink a nuanced flavor profile that’s slightly drier and more complex than the classic.
- Equal parts sweet and dry vermouth replace the single vermouth type.
- Garnished traditionally with a lemon twist, highlighting the brighter citrus notes.
- Offers a smoother, less sweet experience with subtle herbal undertones.
The Bourbon Manhattan
This variation swaps rye for bourbon, leaning into bourbon’s sweeter, fuller-bodied character.
- The bourbon’s vanilla, caramel, and oak flavors create a warmer, rounder cocktail.
- Often favored by those who prefer a less spicy, softer Manhattan.
- Can be combined with sweet vermouth or amaro for different profiles.
Experimental Versions
For adventurous cocktail lovers, there’s a world of innovative takes on the Manhattan waiting to be explored:
- Using Different Amaros: Try amaros like Amaro Lucano, Amaro Meletti, or Ramazzotti for unique herbal twists.
- Smoked Manhattan: Add smoked bitters or rinse the glass with smoke for a savory, complex edge.
- Barrel-Aged Manhattan: Age the combined cocktail in small barrels to mellow flavors and develop new complexities.
- Fruit-Infused Variations: Incorporate muddled cherries, figs, or orange peel to add fresh, fruity layers.
Each variation offers a new way to enjoy the essence of the Manhattan while tailoring the experience to your taste.
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