Barrel-Aged Manhattan — A Manhattan deepened with barrel-aged bitters — rounder, oakier, vanilla-warm

Barrel-Aged Manhattan

A Manhattan deepened with barrel-aged bitters — rounder, oakier, vanilla-warm

Number of people

Ingredients

  • 2 dashesWhiskey Barrel Aged Bitters
    Oak-and-vanilla barrel-aged bitters
    Substitute: Angostura aromatic bitters
  • 1 dashAngostura Aromatic Bitters
    A single dash for backbone
  • 1 ozSweet Vermouth
    A rich Italian sweet vermouth
  • 2 ozRye Whiskey
    A spicy 100-proof rye
    Substitute: Bourbon for a rounder drink

Instructions

  1. Add 2 oz rye, 1 oz sweet vermouth, 2 dashes barrel-aged bitters and 1 dash Angostura to a mixing glass
  2. Stir with ice until well chilled
  3. Strain into a chilled coupe and garnish with a brandied cherry

Technique Notes

Chill the coupe first. Barrel-aged bitters are richer and read heavy the moment the drink warms toward room temperature.

Why the Barrel-Aged Manhattan Works

Barrel-aged bitters bring oak and vanilla that echo the rye's barrel, rounding the Manhattan; a single dash of Angostura keeps a little spice backbone.