September 4, 2024
Choose Great Jones—the one & only authentic Manhattan whiskey—to craft the iconic cocktail that’s a homegrown favorite.
The Manhattan cocktail needs no introduction. They say if you only learn how to make one drink, the Manhattan is it. It’s such a iconic cocktail worldwide that everyone knows the basics: whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters over ice, strained into a chilled glass, garnished with a maraschino cherry to top it off.
So, how do you improve an already iconic recipe? Now – for the very first time, you can drink a Manhattan made with whiskey actually distilled in Manhattan!
Great Jones is famously Manhattan’s first whiskey distillery to open since Prohibition. Since our auspicious debut, we’ve ridden a wave of publicity and acclaim that is coinciding with a cultural moment: the bourbon and whiskey spirits market is surging in popularity with both connoisseurs and casual drinkers.
According to popular history, the Manhattan cocktail was created in the mid-1870s at the Manhattan Club in New York City. It’s said that a man named Iain Marshall invented the drink for a banquet hosted by Lady Randolph Churchill, AKA Winston Churchill’s mother, in honor of presidential candidate Samuel J. Tilden. 125 years later, we’re taking this classic cocktail into the modern era.
Making the Perfect Manhattan Cocktail
Bars around the world — and also at our home in Manhattan agree that the classic Manhattan needs only five essential ingredients:
- 2 oz Bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 dash orange bitters
- 1 brandied Maraschino cherry
But, there’s room to improvise. The choice of bourbon or rye whiskey is important and there are different varieties of each. The traditional whiskey-to-sweet vermouth ratio is 2:1, however if you favor your martinis dry, a little less vermouth will suit your taste. And you can get creative by varying the fruit garnish.
Here’s a pro tip: never cut corners with your whiskey! Great Jones has exceptional quality options in our collection of fine whiskey spirits. For a classic Manhattan, we recommend Great Jones Straight Bourbon. This 100% New York spirit is crafted from ingredients grown in the legendary Black Dirt region of Warwick Valley, NY, and made with pure Catskill Mountain water. Each small batch is aged for four years in American Oak barrels, allowing the bold flavor to fully emerge and gently mature.
With its light-to-medium body, enticing notes of dry corn, vanilla, and white pepper, and toasty open with a flavorful creamy vanilla-peppery finish, our Straight Bourbon is a savory companion to the sweetness of the vermouth and spice of the Angostura bitters in a classic Manhattan cocktail.
Classic Manhattan Cocktail Recipe
Keep this Manhattan cocktail recipe handy at home for occasions when you’re entertaining or simply looking for an ideal cocktail to unwind—it’s as New York City as it gets:
- 2 oz. Great Jones Straight Bourbon
- 1 oz. sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 brandied cherry
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir until well chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail coupe glass and garnish with a brandied cherry.
How to Order a Manhattan Cocktail
Prowling the bars of Manhattan in search of the best bourbon cocktails can be a fun adventure, however if you’re looking for the very best New York Manhattan cocktail, you should head straight to the source.
The Restaurant at Great Jones Distilling Co. is where connoisseurs go to enjoy an inspired meal along with an authentically local Manhattan cocktail. Our menu features thoughtfully curated and flavorful dishes made with New York native ingredients sourced from local vendors and harvested in peak season.
Or, if you’re looking for a happy hour special, venture to the Bars at Great Jones. Perfect for unwinding with a glass of authentic New York whiskey, or of course a handcrafted Manhattan cocktail, our sophisticated bar menu features a wide variety of delectable bites and artisanal cocktails. Join us for Prohibition Hour from 3:30-6pm every Tuesday through Friday with drink and snacking specials.
Tell Your Favorite Bartender About the Great Jones Manhattan Competition
We’re taking the lead in “Putting Manhattan Back in the Manhattan!” In this fall’s debut competition, in collaboration with New York Magazine we’re challenging bartenders from all over the tri-state area to share their own twist on the Manhattan using Great Jones Distilling Co’s lineup of New York-made whiskeys. After all, there’s no other choice for the classic Manhattan cocktail than the only whiskey distilled in Manhattan since Prohibition. Bartenders have until October 1st, 2024 to submit a New York–inspired Manhattan cocktail recipe.
make a reservation today at great jones distilling co.
The Great Jones restaurant, bars, and whiskey tasting room are a monument to the rich culture of Prohibition-era New York, and an invitation to celebrate the best bourbon and local whiskeys, both past and present. Step through our doors at 686 Broadway and be greeted by the spirit and ambition of NYC. Make your reservation today!
Raise a toast at Great Jones, enjoy locally-sourced cuisine, and witness whiskey distilled before your eyes!
