Ever had one of those nights when a regular Manhattan feels too ordinary? That's how I stumbled onto this Black Manhattan recipe after my sister brought back a bottle of amaro from Italy. It's got all that whiskey warmth but with a richer, herbal backbone that makes you slow down and savor it. My husband calls it "the grown-up Manhattan," and honestly, once you try this version, it's hard to go back to the original! I'll walk you through exactly how we make ours at home.
Why You'll Love This Black Manhattan
I stumbled onto this Black Manhattan recipe at a friend's dinner party and begged for the secret. It's now my go-to when I want something special without fussing with ten ingredients. The amaro gives it this gorgeous ruby-dark color and a complexity that makes people ask "what IS that?"I love watching my husband's face when he takes that first sip after a long week.
Something about the herbal notes with that whiskey kick just hits differently than a classic Manhattan. My brother-in-law, who bartended through college, says it's the perfect balance. Even friends who "don't like whiskey drinks" end up asking for the recipe
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What You'll Need
You probably have most of this stuff already if you keep a decent bar cart. Nothing fancy or intimidating here, just a few good-quality basics.
Main Ingredients
- Rye whiskey (I use Rittenhouse, but whatever you've got works)
- Amaro Averna (the dark, slightly sweet Italian stuff)
- A couple dashes of Angostura bitters
- Those fancy cherries for garnish (Luxardo if you're feeling fancy)
- Ice cubes
Optional Extras
Sometimes I'll throw in a dash of walnut bitters if we're feeling extra fancy. My husband likes his with an orange peel twisted over the top - it adds this amazing citrusy aroma that works really well.
Need accurate quantities? Head to the recipe card and select how many people you're serving, this Black Manhattan recipe adjusts everything for you.
How to Make Black Manhattan
Making this cocktail is all about technique and quality ingredients. I learned these steps from my brother-in-law who used to bartend at a fancy cocktail lounge in Chicago.
Chill Your Glass
Pop a coupe or martini glass in the freezer for about 10 minutes before you start mixing. My husband taught me this trick - it keeps your cocktail colder longer and just feels more special.
Measure Your Ingredients
Pour 2 ounces of rye whiskey and 1 ounce of amaro into your mixing glass. I use a kitchen measuring cup when I can't find my jigger - works just fine!
What's a good whiskey to use in this drink?
- I've tried a bunch! Rye gives you that spicy kick that holds up nicely against the amaro. My brother swears by Bulleit Rye, but honestly, I've made it with Buffalo Trace bourbon too when that's all we had, and nobody complained!
Add Bitters
Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters. Sometimes I get a little heavy-handed here - those extra few drops won't hurt!
Add Ice and Stir
Fill your mixing glass with ice (larger cubes work best) and stir gently for about 30 seconds. My mom always gets impatient with this step, but trust me - proper dilution makes all the difference between a harsh drink and a silky-smooth one.
Strain into Glass
Strain the cocktail into your chilled glass. I use a little mesh strainer that catches any ice chips for a super-smooth result.
Add Your Garnish
Drop in one of those fancy cherries or do what I do - grab a strip of orange peel, give it a twist over the glass so the oils spray across the surface. My husband goes for the cherry every time, but I'm team orange twist - it just brightens everything up.
This whole Black manhattan recipe seriously takes about 3 minutes from start to finish. Worth it though! That first sip is always a journey - first you get the whiskey, then all those herbal notes start showing up. Don't rush the stirring part - trust me on this one
Top Tip
- The secret to an exceptional Black Manhattan recipe is quality ingredients and proper technique. Don't skimp on the amaro, I learned this the hard way after using a random bitter liqueur once. My sister gifted me a bottle of Averna, and the difference was night and day!
- Another game-changer? Stirring properly. Count to 30 as you gently stir (don't shake this cocktail or you'll cloud it). My husband thought I was being fussy until we did a side-by-side taste test with a properly stirred version versus a rushed one. The properly diluted cocktail was silky-smooth with integrated flavors, while the quick-stir was harsh and boozy. Take that extra minute – it's worth it for a drink this special!
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
Don't have Averna? No worries! I've made this Black Manhattan recipe with Cynar and even Montenegro when I ran out of my usual amaro. Each gives a slightly different character – Cynar makes it more bitter and complex, while Montenegro adds a sweeter, vanilla note. If you're out of rye, a high-proof bourbon works beautifully in this cocktail too.
My sister makes a fun variation with a splash of Cherry Heering that adds a subtle fruity layer. For a smokier version that my husband requests on special occasions, try using a peated whiskey instead of rye, it creates an amazing campfire-meets-Manhattan vibe!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Unlike food recipes, cocktails are best made fresh on the spot! That said, you can pre-batch this Black Manhattan recipe for parties. I did this for my sister's engagement dinner – just multiply all ingredients and store in a sealed bottle in the fridge for up to 3 days. The mix will already be cold, so you only need a quick stir with ice before straining into glasses. Don't make too much though, these ingredients are best when fresh.
For an even quicker weeknight version, I sometimes measure out the whiskey and amaro in advance and keep them in a small jar in the fridge, then just add bitters and ice when I'm ready. This has saved me on those "I need a drink NOW" evenings!
What to Serve With Black Manhattan
A Black Manhattan recipe pairs beautifully with rich, savory appetizers that complement its complex flavors. I love serving these alongside a cheese board with aged gouda and blue cheese – something about those nutty, sharp flavors works magic with the amaro. My husband always requests them with my prosciutto-wrapped dates or smoked almonds.
For a full dinner pairing, try serving these before a hearty steak dinner or alongside dark chocolate desserts. The cocktail's herbal notes cut through rich foods perfectly. My brother-in-law (the cocktail enthusiast) insists they're best enjoyed alone after dinner, sipped slowly while unwinding.
More Recipes You'll Love
If you enjoyed this Black manhattan recipe, check out my Classic Negroni with a twist – it uses similar bitter flavors but with gin instead of whiskey. My Bourbon Old Fashioned has been a reader favorite for years, perfect for whiskey drinks lovers! For something lighter but still sophisticated, try my Amaro Spritz – it's become my go-to summer drinks option when it's too hot for something boozy.
Leave a comment below telling me which amaro you used in your Black Manhattan! Tag me on Instagram with your cocktail creations, and don't forget to sign up for my newsletter to get my latest Drinks recipes delivered straight to your inbox.
What is a Black Manhattan made of?
A Black Manhattan is a twist on the classic cocktail, replacing sweet vermouth with amaro. The typical ingredients include rye whiskey, amaro (like Averna), Angostura bitters, and a cherry or orange peel garnish. The result is a darker, more herbal version of the traditional Manhattan.
What is an Army Navy cocktail?
The Army Navy cocktail is a classic gin-based drink made with gin, lemon juice, and orgeat syrup. It’s tart, nutty, and refreshing – a totally different flavor profile from the Black Manhattan.
What is in a Saturn cocktail?
The Saturn cocktail is a tropical tiki-style drink made with gin, passion fruit syrup, lemon juice, falernum, and orgeat. It’s shaken with ice and served in a chilled glass – fruity, tangy, and totally refreshing.
Which amaro for Black Manhattan?
Amaro Averna is the go-to choice for its smooth balance of bitterness and sweetness. Other good options include Cynar for more bitterness or Montenegro for a lighter, vanilla-tinged profile. You can experiment to match your taste – each amaro gives the drink a unique twist.
Easy Black Manhattan Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Mixing glass Use a sturdy glass for proper stirring
- 1 Jigger For accurate measuring
- 1 Bar spoon To stir the drink evenly
- 1 Strainer Optional: mesh strainer for smooth pour
- 1 Coupe glass Chill before use for best experience
Ingredients
- 2 oz rye whiskey - such as Rittenhouse or Bulleit Rye
- 1 oz Amaro Averna - or substitute with Cynar or Montenegro
- 2 dash Angostura bitters
- Ice cubes - large preferred for optimal dilution
- 1 Luxardo cherry - or other high-quality cocktail cherry
- 1 dash walnut bitters - optional, for deeper flavor
- 1 orange peel - optional, for citrus twist garnish
Instructions
- Pop a coupe glass into the freezer for about 10 minutes before you begin mixing. A chilled glass keeps the cocktail colder and adds a touch of elegance.
- Measure 2 oz of rye whiskey and 1 oz of Amaro Averna into a mixing glass.
- Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters into the mixing glass.
- Fill the mixing glass with large ice cubes. Stir gently for about 30 seconds until well-chilled and diluted.
- Strain the cocktail from the mixing glass into your chilled coupe glass. Use a fine mesh strainer for a smoother finish.
- Garnish with a Luxardo cherry on a cocktail pick or a twist of orange peel over the top.
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