The History of the Manhattan Cocktail Unveiled

By Timo Torner / Last updated on September 21, 2023

The Manhattan is one of the cocktail classics. The drink is among the most iconic whiskey cocktails; it is also one of the oldest, with quite a lively history.
History of the Manhattan Cocktail

The simple yet elegant mix of very few ingredients makes the classic Manhattan Cocktail delicious and easy to mix. Its base is Bourbon or Rye Whiskey and Sweet Vermouth, bound together by a few drops of cocktail bitters.

The flavor profile is appealing to novices and seasoned drinkers alike. The vermouth adds a subtle sweetness and deep flavors, which work great with rye and bourbon. 

So, here's the history of this somewhat underrated Manhattan Cocktail. Read where it originated, who invented it, and how it got its name.

Who invented the Manhattan Cocktail?

Most likely the Manhattan cocktail was invented in the 1860s by a bartender named Black, who created the drink while working at a bar on Houston Street on Broadway, New York.

However, there are many versions of the history of the invention of the Manhattan cocktail. What is certain is that it dates back to the mid-1800s and has been one of the first - if not the first- cocktails to include sweet vermouth.

As with most vintage classic cocktails, it is hard to tell who mixed them first. However, of the many claims and tales, two stories stand out. -One a little more glamorous, the other, according to historians, more credible.

Who invented the Manhattan cocktail

The Manhattan Club Story

The first story conveys that the Manhattan cocktail originates from the Manhattan Club in New York City. For a long time, newspapers and blogs took that at face value. However, eventually, it turned out that the foundation is weak, not to say non-existent.

The club explained that the drink had been a creation for a party held in late 1874 by Lady Randolph Churchill for presidential candidate S.J. Tilden. -Churchill, as in Winston Churchill's mother

That claim was supported in a newspaper column by Patrick Murphy in March 1945. He wrote that there had been a memorable party on the evening of December 29th at the Manhattan Club in honor of Samuel J. Tilden. 

According to Murphy, a drink made of „American Whiskey, Italian Vermouth, and Angostura Bitters" preceded said dinner. However, he also pointed out that one should remain dubious, as it may well be that the drink had been served before already.

Since Lady Randolph was not even in the US in December 1874, the rest of the story may well be made up either. She had given birth to Winston Churchill just four weeks before the alleged dinner and spent some time in France. - And even if that party had taken place and Manhattans had been served, that would not mean the cocktail wasn't invented before.

It seems it was one Mr. Black who invented the Manhattan

The more likely version, according to historians, is the story of Mr. William F. Mulhall. He had been a respected bartender working at Hoffman House in New York City at his time.

In the 1880s, Mulhall wrote a story in Valentine's Manual that included the claim that the Manhattan cocktail had been invented by another bartender named George Black in the 1860s (check here):

"The Manhattan cocktail was invented by a man named Black, who kept a place ten doors below Houston Street on Broadway in the [eighteen-] sixties—probably the most famous drink in the world in its time.

William F. Mulhall

However, Mulhall making this claim almost 20 years after the event has made many people doubt his story.

On the other hand, there seems to be no motive why William F. Mulhall would have made this up. After all, he had and has no benefit by claiming this.

Why is it called Manhattan?

The Manhattan Club argues that the name of the cocktail is associated with them. Yet, it does not seem likely that the club was involved in creating the drink. Instead, as you might have guessed, it simply was named after the most famous New York Borough, Manhattan. 

Nowadays, you can also find recipes and cocktails for the other four boroughs: Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and even Staten Island. They are not equally recognized and influential, but they all play a role in modern mixology.

An Everchanging Recipe of the Manhattan

The Manhattan cocktail recipe certainly is an intriguing one. -More so because it was subject to constant change and updates.

Whiskey, Vermouth, and cocktail bitters are the main components. But ratios changed over time, and so did some extra ingredients. The most popular additions were drops of gum syrup, Curacao, or even Absinthe, like in the recipe from the Flowing Bowl below from 1892. 

Old Manhattan cocktail recipe

In the 1900s, the recipe changed once more. Gum syrup and Absinthe were removed from the recipe, and Angostura bitters replaced orange bitters. 

Canadian Whiskey took over the lead in the Manhattan Cocktail as it was easier to get your hands on during prohibition. Even in the post-prohibition era, many used Canadian Whiskey for its smooth taste. Over time the Whiskey choice changed to bourbon, and then back to wye Whiskey again. 

Manhattan Rye Whiskey Cocktail

The typical bourbon flavor profile works well with the rich and sweet taste of Vermouth, but it creates a comparably sweet drink. That is one reason the classic Manhattan cocktail recipe uses rye whiskey as a base. Another reason is that rye was most likely the whiskey used originally.

Manhattan Cocktail Variations

Although there are only three ingredients, there are many variations and riffs on the classic recipe. Not as many as for an Old Fashioned, but still plenty. I won't cover them all but focus on four variations I want to explain here.

The Black Manhattan

One popular riff on the Manhattan cocktail is called Black Manhattan. This twist swaps in Amaro Averna instead of sweet Vermouth. 

Black Manhattan cocktail with Maraschino cherry

The result is a more aromatic cocktail compared to the traditional Manhattan recipe. If you don't have a bottle of this Averna at home, maybe you find a great alternative to Amaro Averna here.

The Scotch Manhattan

As the name indicates, the main difference is in the Whiskey part. Also invented in Manhattan, in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, this Manhattan uses Scotch Whisky instead of Rye or Bourbon.

The Dry Manhattan

The Dry Manhattan substitutes the vermouth art of the drink. Instead of Sweet Vermouth, it contains Dry Vermouth. The resulting drink is far less sweet and focuses more on the herbal and bitter notes of the cocktail.

The Perfect Manhattan

For making a perfect Manhattan, the Vermouth part gets split. A mix of 50 percent Sweet Vermouth and 50 percent Dry Vermouth creates a perfect balance. Tastewise, the difference from the classic is identifiable but subtle to people new to the cocktail. Though, if you drink Manhattan cocktails regularly, you will notice that the drink is less sweet than your usual Manhattan.

FAQs

Manhattan Rye Whiskey Cocktail

Manhattan

Prep Time: 3 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: whiskey
Servings: 1
Calories: 198kcal
Cost: $3.30

Equipment

  • 1 Mixing glass
  • 1 Bar spoon
  • 1 Jigger
  • 1 Hawthorne Strainer

Ingredients

  • 2 oz Rye Whiskey
  • 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 dash Orange bitters
  • 1 pcs Maraschino cherry

Instructions

  • Put all ingredients into a mixing glass and add ice.
    2 oz Rye Whiskey, 1 oz Sweet Vermouth, 2 dashes Angostura bitters, 1 dash Orange bitters
  • Stir well until the cocktail is chilled.
  • Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
  • Garnish your Manhattan with a Maraschino cherry.
    1 pcs Maraschino cherry

Nutrition

Serving: 3.25ozCalories: 198kcalCarbohydrates: 6.6gPotassium: 1mgSugar: 6.6g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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