With rye whiskey, walnut liqueur and bitters, this Black Manhattan has a slightly sweet and nutty flavor that is a little heavier in style than the classic.
You can never have enough cocktails - from a blueberry smash to a traditional Moscow Mule to a rum sour to an Aperol negroni.
I've recently been on a kick of rye whiskey. There is actually a well-known distillery right here in Baltimore - Sagamore.
Instead of just having some on the rocks however, I thought it would be fun to use for a cocktail. And anyone who likes whiskey has had the classic Manhattan - which uses rye, vermouth and bitters.
And while I'm a fan as well, I wanted something different. I had a Black Manhattan once and really enjoyed it. Instead of using Averna, I changed it up and used some walnut liqueur.
And what you get is an upgrade on the classic. While it may not be "black", it is much darker. So if you are looking for something different but tasty, this cocktail should be at the top of the list.
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Recipe Ingredients
- Rye Whiskey - use your favorite brand.
- Nero Walnut Whiskey - I used Nero, but you can also use Nocello.
- Angostura Bitters - adds a spicy flavor with hints of clove and cinnamon.
- Regans' Orange Bitters No. 6 - complex orange flavor infused with spicy cinnamon and clove.
- Orange peel - just for the look.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Stir all of the ingredients well with ice
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange peel.
Best Whiskey
I already mentioned that I use Sagamore, but there are plenty of whiskey options for this cocktail. Some include:
- Knob Creek Straight Rye Whiskey - notes of herbs and rye with undertones of vanilla and oak.
- Whistlepig Rye Whiskey - notes of allspice and orange peel with hints of caramel and vanilla.
- Bulleit Rye Whiskey - oaky aroma with hints of vanilla, honey, and spice.
FAQs
It is basically the same formula, but using something other than vermouth. It is less whiskey driven and has bitter, earthy and more herbal flavor.
Of course. Averna is what is typically used in this cocktail. Averna is dark brown and thick with a bittersweet finish. You will get notes of anise, citrus, juniper berries, myrtle, rosemary, and sage in the taste.
A true Manhattan has Angostura Bitters so I would use if you can get it. If you can't find Regans, there are other orange bitters out there or just double the Angostura.
I personally like using a coupe glass, but an old fashioned whiskey glass works as well.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Use a whiskey you like as some of the flavor comes from it.
- Chill the glass so it remains cold for longer.
- If you prefer cherries, garnish with it instead of an orange peel.
Other Cocktail Recipes
If you’ve tried this Black Manhattan or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.
Black Manhattan
Ingredients
- 2 oz Rye Whiskey
- 1 oz Nero Walnut Liqueur
- 1 dash Angostura Bitters
- 1 dash Regans’ Orange Bitters No. 6
- 1 orange peel
Instructions
- Stir all of the ingredients well with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange peel.
Notes
- Use a whiskey you like as some of the flavor comes from it.
- Chill the glass so it remains cold for longer.
- If you prefer cherries, garnish with it instead of an orange peel.
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