Black Manhattan Cocktail Recipe: My Go-To Twist on a Classic

Why I Swapped My Usual Manhattan for This One

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I’ll be honest—I’m a longtime Manhattan drinker. But the first time I had a Black Manhattan, I didn’t go back for a while. It was deeper, a little more bitter, and somehow smoother. It’s the kind of drink that feels perfect at the end of a long day or as a bold way to start an evening.

What makes this cocktail stand out is its simple switch: instead of sweet vermouth, you use Amaro. That one change transforms everything. The drink is less sugary, more layered, and definitely more interesting.

What Is a Black Manhattan?

Let me break it down simply.

• Base Spirit: Rye whiskey (or bourbon if you prefer it sweeter)

• Modifier: Amaro (usually Averna)

• Bitters: Angostura and orange bitters

• Garnish: Cherry or a twist of orange peel

The Black Manhattan is a modern spin on the classic Manhattan, first introduced in the early 2000s. Instead of the usual sweet vermouth, it uses Amaro—a bittersweet Italian herbal liqueur—bringing more complexity and a gentle bitterness.

Key Ingredients Defined

To understand this cocktail better, here’s a quick list of the core ingredients and what they actually bring to the glass:

Rye Whiskey
– Spicy, bold, and dry. It gives structure to the drink. You can swap it for bourbon if you like something smoother and sweeter.

Amaro (usually Averna)
– A dark Italian liqueur with herbal, caramel, and citrus notes. Averna is mellow and not too bitter, making it perfect for cocktails.

Angostura Bitters
– Adds warm spice and depth. A couple of dashes is all it takes.

Orange Bitters
– Lifts the whole drink with a flash of citrus. Optional but highly recommended.

Garnish: Cherry or Orange Peel
– A good cocktail isn’t finished without the right garnish. I like to use a Luxardo cherry or a thin orange twist, depending on my mood.

How I Make the Perfect Black Manhattan at Home

You don’t need fancy tools or rare ingredients to make a proper Black Manhattan. What you do need is balance—and a little bit of care with each step. Here’s how I do it every time.

Bar Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing glass

• Bar spoon

• Jigger

• Hawthorne strainer

• Coupe or rocks glass (your choice)

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Chill the glass
Pop your serving glass in the freezer or fill it with ice water for a few minutes. A chilled glass helps the drink stay crisp longer.

2. Add ingredients to a mixing glass
Measure and pour the following into your mixing glass:

• 2 oz rye whiskey

• 1 oz Amaro Averna

• 1 dash Angostura bitters

• 1 dash orange bitters (optional, but adds brightness)

3. Add ice and stir
Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir for about 25–30 seconds. You’re not trying to water it down—just chill and combine everything evenly.

4. Strain into the glass
Discard any ice from the serving glass, and use your strainer to pour the cocktail in smoothly.

5. Garnish
Drop in a Luxardo cherry or express a strip of orange peel over the drink and place it in. That little touch finishes it off.

Quick Reference Table

Pro Tips from My Kitchen

• If you don’t have Amaro Averna, you can try others like Amaro Montenegro or Ramazzotti. Just know that each one has a different bitterness level.

• Use big ice cubes for stirring. They melt slower and don’t over-dilute.

• Try it with bourbon if you prefer your cocktails a bit rounder and sweeter.

Serving Ideas and Simple Variations

I usually serve the Black Manhattan in a coupe glass when I want something classy, or in a rocks glass with a single large cube when I’m sipping slow. Either way, it holds up.

Great Times to Serve It

• After dinner, instead of dessert

• As a welcome drink for guests

• On a quiet night in when you want something low-effort but satisfying

Tasty Variations I’ve Tried

• With Bourbon Instead of Rye
  Sweeter, softer, and great for first-timers.

• Different Amaro
  Montenegro makes it brighter. Meletti adds spice. Cynar gives it a strong bitter edge.

• Extra Bitters
  If I want more depth, I’ll toss in an extra dash of Angostura or even a chocolate bitters for a fun twist.

• Smoked Black Manhattan
  Stir and strain like usual, then briefly smoke the glass with a wood chip before pouring. Adds a real wow factor.

Full Recipe Snapshot

Here’s everything you need to know at a glance:

Black Manhattan

The Black Manhattan is a bold twist on the classic. It swaps sweet vermouth for Amaro Averna, giving it a deep, smooth flavor with just the right touch of bitterness.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 3 minutes mins

Cook Time 0 minutes mins

Total Time 3 minutes mins

Course cocktail, Drinks

Cuisine American, Modern Classic

Servings 1 person

Calories 170 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 2 oz rye whiskey
• 1 oz Amaro Averna
• 1 dash Angostura bitters
• 1 dash orange bitters optional
• 1 Luxardo cherry or orange peel for garnish
• Ice for mixing

Instructions

 

Chill your serving glass

• Place a coupe or rocks glass in the freezer or fill it with ice water to cool it down.

Add ingredients to a mixing glass

• Pour in the rye, Amaro, and bitters using a jigger.

Add ice and stir

• Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir for about 30 seconds to chill and mix everything evenly.

Strain into the glass

• Discard the ice from your serving glass and strain the cocktail into it using a bar strainer.

Garnish and serve

• Add a cherry or a strip of orange peel for aroma and flavor. Enjoy right away.

Notes

• If you like your drinks on the sweeter side, try bourbon instead of rye.
• Averna is smooth and mild. If you're using a different Amaro, the flavor may change a bit.
• Orange bitters are optional but give the drink a nice lift.
• Always stir with large ice cubes if possible—they melt slower and don’t water the drink down.

Keyword amaro cocktail, black manhattan recipe, classic drink twist, easy cocktails, low-effort cocktail, manhattan variation, rye whiskey drink

FAQ: Quick Answers About the Black Manhattan

What’s the best whiskey to use?

I prefer rye for its spice and bite, but bourbon works great if you want it a bit sweeter.

Which Amaro is best?

Averna is the standard. It’s mellow and smooth. Montenegro or Ramazzotti are good if you want something lighter.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Yes—just mix everything and store it in the fridge without ice. Stir with ice and strain when ready to serve.

Do I need both bitters?

No, but I recommend using both. Angostura gives warmth, and orange bitters brighten things up.

Is this drink very bitter?

Not harshly bitter. It’s balanced. If you’re used to sweet cocktails, it may take a sip or two to adjust.

Can I batch it for a party?

Absolutely. Multiply the ingredients by the number of servings, stir with ice, and store in a bottle in the fridge. Just pour and garnish.