Cassis Manhattan

By Rebekah Peppler

Published March 15, 2022

  • Sang An for The New York Times. Food Stylist; Simon Andrews.
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Rating
4(179)
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With a rye-bourbon split and just enough slightly herbal crème de cassis to sweeten without overpowering, this manhattan variation is spirit-forward, with layered notes of sugar and spice. If you prefer to keep the drink to one type of whiskey, opt for rye and leave out the bourbon. The cocktail will be slightly more spice-forward and boozier in feel. Whatever you do, let the cherry garnish sit until the very end of the drink for an especially flavorful final snack.

Featured in: Crème de Cassis for the 21st Century

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Ingredients

Yield:1 drink

  • Ice

  • 1 ounce rye whiskey

  • 1 ounce bourbon

  • ¾ ounce sweet vermouth

  • ¼ ounce crème de cassis

  • 3 to 4 dashes angostura bitters

  • 1 brandied or maraschino cherry, for garnish

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving

6 grams carbs; 196 calories; 2 milligrams sodium; 5 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a cocktail shaker or mixing glass filled with ice, combine the rye whiskey, bourbon, vermouth, crème de cassis and bitters. Stir until well chilled, about 30 seconds, then strain into a Nick and Nora or coupe glass. Garnish with a cherry.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
179 user ratings
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Comments

Andybhoy

I make something similar - (but different ) using 2oz vodka, 3/4 oz DRY vermouth , scant 1/4 oz creme de cassis , 1/4 oz Cointreau. Shake in cocktail shaker over ice. Serve in martini glass with a few frozen berries -eat berries at end. Frozen berries help keep drink cold until finished - trick learned from San Francisco bar tender many years ago.

Hippolyta

This is a lovely variation on a Manhattan. The spiciness of the rye comes through but you get a little hint of the cassis. Thanks for this one!

Jen

Also tended, bitters are never optional with Manhattan's. Just got be easy on the dashes. They will feel bland without bitters...

Roger Yepsen

Doing half try and half bourbon is slipping into fussiness. The other three ingredients will mask the so-called 'spicy' rye notes. Just go with your favorite distillate. And for the heck of it, serve a good rye, label concealed, to the most discriminating sippers you know, and ask them to jot down an exhaustive list of flavor notes. Spice? A copy-and-paste adjective coupled with rye.

Seth

What a winner - perfect for both Manhattan drinkers and those wary of brown liquor cocktails.

HM

I enjoyed it with 1/2 oz vermouth and 1/2 oz cassis. I just wanted a little more black currant flavor. Certainly agree that the bitters are not optional!

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