Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Deep, balanced flavor: Spicy rye meets caramel-like amaro and layered herbal bitterness.
• Easy to make: No shaker or complicated technique is required.
• Elegant presentation: Its clear mahogany color and glossy cherry garnish make it naturally striking.
• Perfect for slow sipping: This smooth, warming drink is especially inviting on a cool evening.

Grocery List

• Produce: None required
• Dairy: None required
• Pantry: Rye whiskey, Averna amaro, Angostura aromatic bitters, orange bitters, brandied cocktail cherries, and ice

Full Ingredients

For the Cocktail

• 2 fluid ounces (60 milliliters) rye whiskey, preferably 90 to 100 proof
• 1 fluid ounce (30 milliliters) Averna amaro
• 1 dash (about 1/8 teaspoon or 0.6 milliliter) Angostura aromatic bitters
• 1 dash (about 1/8 teaspoon or 0.6 milliliter) orange bitters

For Chilling and Garnishing

• 1 1/2 cups (about 8 ounces or 225 grams) large, dense ice cubes
• 1 brandied cocktail cherry, drained

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Chill the serving glass

Place a 4- to 6-fluid-ounce Nick and Nora, coupe, or small cocktail glass in a freezer set to 0°F (-18°C) for at least 10 minutes. A properly chilled glass helps the drink stay cold without requiring ice in the finished cocktail.

Step 2: Prepare the garnish

Drain 1 brandied cocktail cherry briefly so excess syrup does not drip into the cocktail. Thread it onto a small cocktail pick and set it within easy reach. Preparing the garnish now allows you to serve the drink as soon as it is strained.

Step 3: Measure the spirits and bitters

Pour 2 fluid ounces of rye whiskey and 1 fluid ounce of Averna amaro into a mixing glass. Add 1 dash of Angostura aromatic bitters and 1 dash of orange bitters. Using a jigger will preserve the intended 2-to-1 balance of rye to amaro.

Step 4: Add the ice

Add 1 1/2 cups of large, dense ice cubes to the mixing glass. The ice should rise slightly above the liquid. Large cubes melt more slowly than crushed or small ice, giving you better control over chilling and dilution.

Step 5: Stir until cold and silky

Stir smoothly with a bar spoon for 25 to 30 seconds. Keep the back of the spoon against the inside of the mixing glass so the ice rotates rather than tumbles. The exterior of the glass should feel very cold, and the cocktail should reach approximately 25°F to 28°F (-4°C to -2°C). Stirring preserves the drink’s clear, polished appearance while adding enough water to soften the alcohol.

Step 6: Strain, garnish, and serve

Remove the chilled serving glass from the freezer. Using a julep or Hawthorne strainer, strain the cocktail into the glass, leaving the mixing ice behind. Rest the cherry pick across the rim or lower the cherry gently into the drink. Serve immediately while the Black Manhattan is at its coldest and most aromatic.

Pro Tips

• Choose a bold rye: A 90- to 100-proof rye has enough spice and structure to stand up to the rich amaro.
• Use Averna for the signature profile: Its notes of caramel, dark citrus, herbs, and warming spice create the classic Black Manhattan character.
• Stir rather than shake: Shaking introduces air bubbles and ice fragments, while stirring keeps this spirit-forward cocktail clear and silky.
• Use fresh, dense ice: Ice that has absorbed freezer odors can affect the flavor of such a simple cocktail.
• Do not over-stir: Begin tasting after 25 seconds if your ice cubes are small; excessive dilution can mute the rye and amaro.

Variations

• Bourbon Black Manhattan: Replace the 2 fluid ounces of rye with 2 fluid ounces of bourbon for a rounder drink with more vanilla and caramel character.
• Lighter herbal variation: Replace the 1 fluid ounce of Averna with 1 fluid ounce of Amaro Montenegro for softer bitterness and brighter citrus notes.
• Extra-bitter variation: Use 3/4 fluid ounce Averna and 1/4 fluid ounce Cynar in place of the 1 fluid ounce Averna for a darker, more earthy finish.

Storage & Make-Ahead

For a make-ahead batch of 8 cocktails, combine 16 fluid ounces rye whiskey, 8 fluid ounces Averna, 1 teaspoon Angostura aromatic bitters, and 1 teaspoon orange bitters in a tightly sealed bottle. Refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or colder for up to 1 month. To serve, measure 3 fluid ounces of the batch into a mixing glass, add 1 1/2 cups ice, stir for 25 to 30 seconds, and strain into a chilled glass. Keep the cherries separate until serving. Do not store a finished cocktail with ice, because the melting ice will continue to dilute it.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 220 kcal | Carbs: 7g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 6g | Sodium: 2mg | Cholesterol: 0mg