The Manhattan and Old Fashioned cocktails have endured for generations as classic whiskey drinks, calling for spirit-forward drinks containing bitters to balance out their richness.
A Manhattan is made with rye or bourbon, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters, typically served with a cherry garnish.
The Basics
The Manhattan and Old Fashioned are whiskey-based drinks, meaning that both utilize either bourbon or rye whiskey to create distinct flavor profiles. Both cocktails also call for bitters like Angostura that add baking spices, floral scents, and aromatic notes that complement whiskey. Both cocktails should be stirred rather than shaken before being served on rocks; however, preparation and ingredients vary slightly between them.
The main distinction between the Manhattan and Old Fashioned cocktails lies in their respective uses of sweeteners: simple syrup or sugar cube in an Old Fashioned, while in a Manhattan, sweet vermouth provides both flavor and sweetness, along with unique herbal and botanical properties that set it apart from either simple syrup or sugar cube.
One significant distinction between the Manhattan and Old Fashioned drinks lies in their respective garnishes; an Old Fashioned is typically served with orange peel, while Manhattans call for brandied cherries as an add-on. Some bars may provide both options; it all depends on personal taste or the bartender’s mood.
Though there is no one-size-fits-all answer when choosing the best cocktail, the Manhattan and Old Fashioned have stood the test of time as classic whiskey-based drinks. If you’re new to whiskey-based cocktails, one effective way to find out which you prefer is by sampling both varieties to see which one best meets your preferences.
Next time you visit a bar, ask the bartender to prepare a Manhattan and an Old Fashioned so you can compare their flavors side-by-side. Or, if you’re feeling ambitious, try your hand at making these drinks yourself at home – make sure that all ingredients and procedures follow proper protocols to achieve authentic flavors from each cocktail. Drink responsibly!
The Taste
Both cocktails share similar essential ingredients, but the Manhattan is more intricate. It typically combines rye or bourbon whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters, adding sweetness via sweet vermouth while bitters provide their unique flavors. A Manhattan is an excellent way to display top-shelf whiskey; Antica Torino vermouth di Torino’s natural notes such as wormwood, gentian, rhubarb, vanilla bean rosemary can make all the difference when choosing sweet vermouth for this drink!
On the other hand, an old-fashioned is more of a spirit-forward cocktail, meaning each sip brings out more of your whiskey’s bite. A sugar cube muddling at the bottom of your glass adds natural flavors that accentuate Angostura bitters which act to balance out your chosen spirit.
Glassware plays an integral part in how cocktails taste. Manhattans should typically be served “up” in martini glasses, cocktail or coupe drinks while old fashioned must always be enjoyed on the rocks (whether that means several smaller cubes or one larger stone) using an old-fashioned glass.
It can be challenging to pick between these classic cocktails as both are well-known classics. Your decision may depend on personal taste and your mood – trying both drinks may help! Enjoy them at home or out with friends; neither can disappoint. Cheers!
The Garnish
Finding new and unique ways to enjoy spirits can be satisfying, but sometimes reimagining classic cocktails with an unexpected spin can be just as gratifying. Old fashioned and Manhattan are two iconic whiskey drinks worthy of inclusion in any bartender’s repertoire.
Both cocktails feature whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters (usually Angostura). Both require stirring (rather than shaking), with an old-fashioned typically garnished with an orange peel, while Manhattans use brandied cherries instead.
Opinions may differ on who first created the Manhattan, but one thing remains certain: It is an iconic whiskey cocktail. Boasting spicy notes from rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters to balance it all out, this drink can be enjoyed any time of year!
A Manhattan is another more complex cocktail. Usually made with more rye whiskey for added spice and less sweetness than its bourbon counterpart and sometimes served with bitters for additional baking spice flavoring, the Manhattan makes an elegant beverage perfect for celebrating special events or sipping over conversation.
The Manhattan is an iconic whiskey cocktail that has been enjoyed for centuries. First mentioned in Jerry Thomas’ Bartenders Guide in 1862, this drink consists of whiskey, bitters, and sweetener; traditionally made using sugar cubes, many bartenders prefer simple syrup for greater ease.
The Manhattan is a timeless whiskey drink renowned for its sophisticated taste and elegant appearance. This cocktail typically uses high-grade rye whiskey and sweet vermouth for its base ingredients and may feature orange peel or brandied cherry garnish. An excellent addition to any bartender’s repertoire.
The Look
Both cocktails feature whiskey as the base ingredient and combine bitters and some form of sweetener for balance. They are often garnished with different garnishes, usually served in different glasses, and feature their distinct flavor profiles. It can be easy to confuse one for the other; however, key distinctions help set them apart from each other.
The Manhattan is a classic cocktail made with whiskey, sweet vermouth, or, more frequently, bitters. This drink offers more complexity and depth of flavor than its Old Fashioned predecessor; choosing your whiskey makes an impactful difference, too – with bourbon providing a smoother experience while rye delivers bolder ones.
For the ideal Manhattan cocktail, use two ounces of whiskey – whether that’s bourbon or rye – as this will ensure its full spectrum of flavors is captured in your beverage. When mixing in sweet vermouth (or, more frequently, Angostura bitters), its subtle sweetness complements all other components within.
Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker over ice, and strain into any glass you desire. Most bartenders prefer using an old-fashioned glass, though that decision is ultimately up to each individual – you can even serve your Manhattans in martini glasses or other cocktail glasses so long as all ingredients have been properly mixed.
After pouring yourself a drink, garnish your glass with either a maraschino cherry or an orange peel that has been expressed over it to release its oils, and sip away! Both Manhattan and Old Fashioned cocktails can be enjoyed either alone or as part of a more extended cocktail menu and are timeless classics dating back hundreds of years – each offering bold whiskey flavors balanced by subtle sweetness from sugar and bitters and providing depth through bitters bitters bitters bitters bitters bitters bitters bitters bitters add depth complexity that brings depth and complexity together in perfect harmony!
