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Home > Recipes > Brandy

Brandy Manhattan

A simple twist of the classic cocktail, this brandy manhattan is slightly sweeter than its whiskey counterpart. Made with your favorite brandy, sweet vermouth and a dash of bitters, this traditional cocktail is stirred until cold and garnished with a cocktail cherry.
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A brandy manhattan in a coupe glass, garnished with a maraschino cherry.

Why we love the brandy manhattan

  • This cocktail originated in New York and is traditionally made with whiskey, but we love our brandy cocktails in Wisconsin so naturally, we love a brandy manhattan, too.
  • Brandy tends to be sweeter with a more subtle flavor than whiskey, so this is a perfect choice if you’re new to the cocktail and whiskey is a little bit too strong for you palate.
  • This elegant cocktail is super easy to make and is served in a chilled coupe or martini glass.
3 manhattan cocktails in coupe glasses.

What you’ll need to make it

Equipment:

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Coupe Glasses

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Easy Measure Jigger

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Bar Spoon

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Brandy manhattan ingredients:

  • Brandy – I recommend using a good quality brandy for this recipe because it’s the star of the show.
  • Sweet vermouth – Sweet vermouth or red vermouth will work for this recipe. I don’t recommend dry vermouth for this recipe unless you know you like it.
  • Angostura bitters – Traditional angostura bitters have a very unique flavor, but other flavors of bitters such as orange or even chocolate bitters would make a great cocktail.
  • Cocktail cherry – if you have Luxardo or brandied cherries, definitely use them, otherwise a maraschino cherry will do the trick.
Two brandy manhattans, garnished with cherries.

How to make a brandy manhattan

Chill your glasses. Pop your glass into the fridge or freezer while you prepare you cocktail. Alternatively, you can fill it with ice until you’re ready to pour.

Stir with ice. Fill a mixing glass with ice and add the brandy, vermouth and bitters. Stir with a cocktail spoon until the drink is nice and cold, for about 30 seconds.

Garnish and serve. Strain the cocktail into your chilled glass (remove ice if you’re using it to chill the glass), and add a cocktail cherry before serving.

A brandy manhattan being poured into a glass.

faqs about the manhattan cocktail

Why do they call the drink a Manhattan?

This answer is pretty simple. It was served originally at a bar in New York, called The Manhattan Club. This old school cocktail has been around since before the turn of the 20th century, making it a tried and true classic.

How much alcohol is in a Manhattan?

A manhattan is a stiff drink, despite its size, similar to a martini. This drink was designed for sipping to enjoy the complex flavors of the brandy.

What is the difference between a Manhattan and an Old Fashioned?

Though both of these classic cocktails consist mainly of brandy or whiskey and bitters, the difference is in the sweetness. With a manhattan you will use sweet vermouth, and though it is sweet, it is much less sweet than the simple syrup in an old fashioned.

More brandy cocktails you will love

  • Frozen sangria wine slushies
  • Rose sangria
  • Wisconsin brandy old fashioned
  • Brandy slush

More classic cocktail recipes to try

  • Aperol sour
  • White negroni
  • Vodka sunrise
  • Campari tonic
Brandy manhattans in coupe glasses with a cocktail jigger in the background.

Brandy Manhattan

By: Melissa Belanger
A simple twist of the classic cocktail, this brandy manhattan is slightly sweeter than its whiskey counterpart. Made with your favorite brandy, sweet vermouth and a dash of bitters, this traditional cocktail is stirred until cold and garnished with a cocktail cherry.
Prep Time: 2 minutes mins
Total Time: 2 minutes mins
1
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Ingredients 

  • 2 ounces brandy
  • 1 ounce sweet vermouth
  • 2 – 3 dashes bitters
  • For garnish: cherry

Instructions 

  • Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add cocktail ingredients and stir until cold.
  • Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a cocktail cherry.
Last step!Share a picture on Instagram and tag me at @anothercocktailblog!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 171kcal (9%), Carbohydrates: 2g (1%), Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 1mg, Sugar: 1g (1%), Iron: 0.02mg

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One response

  1. Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned – Simply Whisked
    October 29, 2024

    […] cocktails fun:  Wisconsin brandy slush / beer float / Pink squirrel / brandy Manhattan / golden […]

    Reply

Hi! I’m Melissa.

I’m so happy you’re here!

I’m a food blogger, photographer and cocktail enthusiast – and a mom of 2. I started Another Cocktail Blog to share the fun of mixing cocktails at home, so grab some ice and stay for a while.

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