Black Manhattan Recipe

Chill glass

Place a coupe or chilled rocks glass in the freezer for a few minutes or fill it with ice water while you prepare the drink to chill the glass.

Optional amaro rinse

If you want an extra bitter top note, pour about 1/4 teaspoon (a light rinse) of a robust amaro or Fernet into the chilled (or briefly rinsed) glass, swirl to coat the inside, then discard any excess. This step is optional; alternatively, you can skip or add a small extra dash to the stirred cocktail.

Combine ingredients

In a mixing glass add 2 oz rye whiskey, 1 oz amaro (Averna or Montenegro recommended), 2 dashes aromatic bitters, and 1 dash orange bitters (optional). Add plenty of ice to the mixing glass — large cubes are best to chill without diluting too quickly.

Stir

Using a bar spoon, stir the mixture for 20–30 seconds (about 15–20 full spoon turns) until well-chilled and properly diluted. Aim for a slight, glossy chill rather than over-dilution.

Strain

Discard the ice or water from your chilled serving glass (if you used ice water). Double-strain or fine-strain the stirred cocktail into the chilled coupe or rocks glass over either nothing (up) or one large ice cube in a rocks glass, depending on preference.

Garnish

Express the oils of an orange peel over the drink by holding the peel over the glass and giving it a quick twist to release the oils, then rub the peel around the rim and drop it into the drink. Add a maraschino cherry on a pick or drop it into the glass as a final garnish.

Serve

Serve immediately. Sip and enjoy the balance of rye spice with the bitter-sweet herbal character of the amaro.