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    Home » Recipes » Cocktail Recipes » French Manhattan

    French Manhattan

    Published: Dec 19, 2022 · by Debra with Leave a Comment · 641 words. About 4 minutes to read this article. · This post contains affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    A French Manhattan cocktail is a fun, fancy twist on a traditional Manhattan using cognac in place of bourbon.

    Two French manhattan cocktails with liquor bottles and a bowl of cherries in the background.

    This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my links I may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure policy here.

    Sometimes you want a cocktail, and sometimes you want a fancy cocktail. For those fancy times, the French Manhattan is here for you.

    Why is it fancy? Cognac. This aged French brandy is swanky and classy, so let's booze it up in style.

    Swapping the bourbon for cognac adds a slightly sweeter and smoother, yet still warming note. It takes things up a notch and makes them oh-so-French. Ooo la la!!

    Jump to:
    • A French Manhattan puts an elevated twist on a classic!
    • Ingredients you'll need
    • How to make a French Manhattan
    • When to serve a French Manhattan
    • What to serve with a French Manhattan
    • More Manhattan cocktail recipes
    • Recipe

    A French Manhattan puts an elevated twist on a classic!

    • Cognac, a type of barrel-aged brandy, brings a sophisticated, luxurious French attitude.
    • Served in coupe glasses for an elegant touch.
    • Only 4 ingredients plus a yummy cocktail cherry for garnish!
    Bottles of cognac, cointreau, and sweet vermouth alongside two coupe glasses, and a jar and bowl of amarena cherries.

    Ingredients you'll need

    • Cognac: This type of French brandy has lots of letters on the label that designate how long it has been aged: XO, VSOP, etc. Prices vary from $20 to thousands of dollars per bottle. You do NOT need to use a super expensive bottle to make this drink.
    • Sweet vermouth: Dolin and Noilly Prat are great choices, or try a small batch brand.
    • Cointreau: Or another orange liqueur like Grand Marnier.
    • Angostura bitters: These aromatic bitters add a little herbaceous note that brings all the flavors together.
    • Cocktail cherries: I like Fabbri Amarena Cherries.

    How to make a French Manhattan

    Nothing better than a cocktail recipe that only has two steps!! Adapted from Drinking French by David Lebovitz.

    Step 1: Mix it up!

    Add all ingredients except the cherries to a cocktail shaker or large glass with ice and stir to chill.

    Step 2: Strain and garnish

    Strain into a coupe glass and add one (or more!) cocktail cherries for garnish.

    Two French Manhattan cocktails in coupe glasses.

    When to serve a French Manhattan

    A French Manhattan is perfect for special occasions or a cozy evening in.

    • Try one for a fancy happy hour.
    • Serve them for a chic girls' night in.
    • The cognac makes this a great choice for an after dinner drink.
    • Perfect for the holidays because cognac is blingy!
    • Any cold winter night when you need a warm up!

    What to serve with a French Manhattan

    Let's keep it French with these très français bites!

    • Parmesan Rosemary Gougères with Goat Cheese Filling are a tried and true French snack for apéro hour.
    • Radishes with Radish Leaf Butter because is it French if it doesn't have butter in it? Blanched radish leaves add freshness and depth to the traditional radishes dipped in butter.

    More Manhattan cocktail recipes

    • The classic Manhattan is as good as gold.
    • A Boulevardier is the Manhattan's cousin, and throws some Campari into the mix.

    Recipe

    Two French Manhattan cocktails in coupe glasses.

    French Manhattan

    A French Manhattan cocktail is a fun, fancy twist on a traditional Manhattan using cognac in place of bourbon.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: cocktails
    Cuisine: French
    Keyword: French manhattan cocktail recipe
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 1 cocktail
    Calories: 154kcal

    Equipment

    • cocktail shaker
    • coupe glass

    Ingredients

    • 1½ ounces cognac
    • 1½ ounces sweet vermouth
    • ¼ ounce orange liqueur Cointreau, Grand Marnier, or other
    • dash Angostura bitters or substitute orange bitters
    • cocktail cherries for garnish
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    Instructions

    • Add all ingredients except the cherries to a cocktail shaker or large glass with ice and stir to chill.
    • Strain into a coupe glass and add one (or more!) cocktail cherries for garnish.

    Notes

    • Cognac is a type of French brandy that has lots of letters on the label designating how long it has been aged: XO, VSOP, etc. Prices vary from $20 to thousands of dollars per bottle. You do NOT need to use a super expensive bottle to make this drink.
    • Adapted from Drinking French by David Lebovitz.
     
    This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my links I may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure policy here.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 154kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 0.04g | Fat: 0.02g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 3mg | Sugar: 2g | Calcium: 0.1mg | Iron: 0.02mg

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    Hi, I'm Debra! I love to cook and eat and travel, and cook the things I eat when I travel! I'm a detail-oriented Virgo, so it's my jam to simplify recipes and break them down into easy to follow steps. I help you bring the world to your table!

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    Hi, I'm Debra! I love to cook and eat and travel, and cook the things I eat when I travel! I'm a detail-oriented Virgo, so it's my jam to simplify recipes and break them down into easy to follow steps. I help you bring the world to your table!

    More about me →

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