A Maple Manhattan cocktail is a simple drink made with bourbon, maple syrup and dry vermouth. It's smooth and has a surprisingly mellow sweetness, a fun variation on a classic to enjoy in fall and winter.
Looking for a cozy wintertime drink with some special flavor and flair? This maple Manhattan has you covered!
When I worked as a bartender, I loved to find variations on classic cocktails to present to my customers. This one is a super star, the maple syrup is less sweet than you might imagine, further balanced by dry vermouth.
If you're loving this idea, then you'll also love the classic Manhattan cocktail recipe, or try a French Manhattan, made with cognac!
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Maple Manhattan ingredients
- Bourbon: Use a good brand of bourbon, the flavor will shine through, so don't go cheap. Four Roses is one of my favorite bourbons for mixed drinks.
- Dry vermouth: For a maple Manhattan cocktail we'll use dry vermouth because the maple syrup has enough sweetness for the drink.
- Maple syrup: Use real, pure maple syrup for the best flavor. It adds a mellow sweetness so it's not cloyingly sweet, try it in a Maple Old Fashioned cocktail!
- Angostura bitters: Bitters will add a warm spice flavor and aroma to the cocktail, don't skip it!
- Cocktail cherries: I like to use Amarena cherries in cocktails (and in cookies like these Amaretti with Cherries), you can also use Luxardo cocktail cherries.
How to make a maple Manhattan
Step 1: Combine ingredients and chill
Add the bourbon, maple syrup, sweet vermouth, and bitters to a cocktail shaker or large glass filled with ice. Stir gently to chill.
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Step 2: Pour, garnish, serve!
Strain into a coupe glass, or over ice in a rocks glass. Add one or two cocktail cherries and serve!
Expert tips
- Stir a Maple Manhattan, don't shake it: Technically, only drinks with juice, milk, cream, or egg in them should be shaken. Gently stir to chill and dilute slightly so the liquid remains clear, not cloudy, you don't want any foamy bubbles on top.
- Experiment with different bitters: Angostura bitters is the standard for Manhattan cocktails, but orange bitters would add a festive flavor, or try black walnut bitters for a hint of nuttiness, both pair well with the maple syrup.
- Serve up or on the rocks: Just like the classic drink, a Maple Manhattan can be served on the rocks (with ice) or "up" in a coupe or martini glass without ice.
More winter cocktail recipes
- The Boulevardier is another great winter bourbon cocktail, made with campari, and sweet vermouth.
- Make a Blood Orange Negroni to brighten your days when fresh blood oranges are in season, usually January through March.
- A Hanky Panky cocktail features Fernet-Branca, an herbal liqueur that always feels warming and festive in the winter time.
A Maple Manhattan is a fun variation on a classic bourbon drink!
- Maple syrup has a very mellow sweetness, so it doesn't overpower the other ingredients.
- Tastes great in fall and winter when you're craving everything whiskey and maple!
- Fun to serve at holiday parties.
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Recipe
Maple Manhattan
Want to save this recipe?
I will email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
You'll be added to my email list!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon
- ½ ounce dry vermouth
- ½ ounce maple syrup
- 2 dashes angostura bitters
- cocktail cherries for serving
Instructions
- Add the bourbon, maple syrup, sweet vermouth, and bitters to a cocktail shaker or large glass filled with ice. Stir gently to chill.
- Strain into a coupe glass, or over ice in a rocks glass. Add one or two cocktail cherries and serve!
Notes
- Stir a Maple Manhattan, don't shake it: Technically, only drinks with juice, milk, cream, or egg in them should be shaken. Gently stir to chill and dilute slightly, you don't want any foamy bubbles on top.
- Experiment with different bitters: Angostura bitters is the standard for Manhattan cocktails, but orange bitters would add a festive flavor and pair well with the maple syrup.
- Serve up or on the rocks: Just like the classic drink, a Maple Manhattan can be served on the rocks (with ice) or "up" in a coupe or martini glass without ice.
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