I remember my first Black Manhattan like it was last night. Tiny bar. Low light. A bowl of salty nuts. The drink came in a cold coupe, almost black, with a glossy cherry. I took a sip and went quiet. It was rich, a little bitter, and warm in the best way. Since then, I’ve made this drink at home more times than I can count.
If you’re after a printable version or want to see step-by-step photos, I put the full rundown on my blog in my Black Manhattan recipe.
Need another trusted reference? The team at Liquor.com offers a rock-solid take in their Black Manhattan cocktail recipe, complete with tasting notes and bartender tips.
Here’s the thing: it’s a Manhattan, but moodier. You swap sweet vermouth for amaro. That one change makes it deeper and a bit grown-up. But not stuffy. It still feels fun.
Want a gold-standard example before you start measuring at home? Slip into Bistro Le Clochard and order theirs—the first sip alone will teach you more than a dozen recipe notes.
What it tastes like (in real life)
- Rye brings heat and spice.
- Amaro gives dark caramel, orange peel, and a touch of herbs.
- Bitters tie it up and keep it from getting too sweet.
It’s smooth, but it has a backbone. I like it most on cold nights, or when I’m not ready for dessert but want something cozy. Kind of like a sweater for your mouth. Odd image, but you get it. When temperatures drop even lower and I want a drink that actually gives off steam, I turn to hot mugs of wassail—but for evenings on the couch, the Black Manhattan scratches the itch just fine.
My go-to recipe (the one I make on weeknights)
- 2 oz rye whiskey (I use Rittenhouse 100 or Wild Turkey 101 Rye)
- 1 oz amaro (Averna is my favorite)
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 dash orange bitters
- Garnish: 1 Luxardo cherry or an orange peel
Stir with ice for about 25 to 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe or a Nick & Nora. Add the cherry or express the orange peel over the top and toss it in. That’s it.
If you’d like a step-by-step walkthrough with clear photos, Simply Recipes has a helpful Black Manhattan recipe that’s perfect for beginners.
Real examples from my kitchen
-
Tuesday in January: I used Rittenhouse Rye, Averna, Angostura, and Regans’ Orange Bitters No. 6. Stirred 25 seconds. Served up in a frosty Nick & Nora. It tasted like cola, orange, and dark toffee. One sip and I turned off the TV. I just sat there. Good quiet.
-
Friday with friends: I tried Wild Turkey 101 Rye and Averna, plus Bitter Truth Aromatic. Same ratio. We used big clear ice in a rocks glass to make it last longer. It stayed bold even as it melted, which I liked for slow sipping.
-
A summer swap: I used bourbon once—Buffalo Trace—with Ramazzotti instead of Averna. Sweeter, rounder, still nice. My friend Sam liked it more than the rye version. I missed the spice though.
-
A bitter night: I made it with Cynar 70 and Rittenhouse. It went too dark and bitter for me. Cool for one drink, not two. My husband loved it, so hey, different taste buds.
-
Craving something summery and tropical? I recently tested three Lychee Martini recipes—my favorite was shockingly simple.
Why Averna steals the show
Averna tastes like caramel, orange peel, and herbs. It’s soft and a little sweet, so the rye shines. Ramazzotti works too and is a bit brighter. Montenegro makes it light and floral. Meletti is sweet and chocolaty. Nonino is fancy and dry. Cynar 70 is bold and earthy, but it can take over, so I sometimes do 2 oz rye, 3/4 oz Cynar, and 1/4 oz Averna to round it out.
Bitters and garnish: small stuff, big change
- Angostura + orange is my standard. Bitter, warm, and bright.
- Chocolate bitters feel fun in winter, but I use just one dash.
- Luxardo cherry if I want rich fruit. Orange peel if I want zest.
If I’m tired, I do no garnish. It’s still great. Don’t stress the garnish.
Served up or on a rock?
- Up in a coupe: silky and sharp. Best for when you’ll sip now.
- Over one big cube: slower, cooler, and gentler over time. I do this when I’m chatting or cooking.
During the months when my partner was on the other side of the country, we'd each mix a Black Manhattan, dim the lights, and meet over video chat to keep our Friday ritual alive. If you’re also juggling miles and romance, this look at how sex video chat is changing long-distance relationships dives into creative ways to turn a simple screen into a genuinely intimate date night, offering practical tips for everything from setting the mood to staying emotionally connected until you can clink glasses in person.
But maybe you’re single, your glass is full, and the evening feels ripe for spontaneous chemistry. Instead of another round of swiping, take a peek at the candid write-up on Skip the Games Anna—the review lays out her vibe, booking process, and real-world feedback so you can decide if she’s the right match before you even step out the door.
What I love (and what I don’t)
- Love:
- Big flavor with only a few parts
- Feels special without effort
- Easy to tweak with the amaro shelf
- Don’t love:
- Too sweet if you use a soft bourbon and a sweet amaro
- Too bitter if you stir forever or use only heavy amaro
- Pricey if you chase rare bottles (you don’t need to)
When it goes wrong and how I fix it
- Too sweet? Add one more dash Angostura. Or switch to a spicier rye.
- Too bitter? Use 3/4 oz amaro instead of 1 oz. Or stir less.
- Watery? Use bigger ice and chill your glass first.
- Flat taste? Add the orange bitters. Or express a peel over the top.
My lazy batch for a small party
I’ve batched this for four people, and it saves time.
- 8 oz rye
- 4 oz Averna
- 8 dashes Angostura
- 4 dashes orange bitters
Stir the whole mix with ice in a big pitcher. Strain into a clean bottle. Keep it in the fridge for an hour. Pour over a big cube when folks arrive. Add a cherry. Done.
Little extras that made a big difference
- A proper bar spoon helps me stir smooth and quiet.
- A Julep strainer sits snug in my mixing glass and doesn’t slip.
- Clear ice from a silicone mold melts slower and looks sharp. Yes, looks do matter here.
Final take
If a classic Manhattan feels a bit sweet for you, try a Black Manhattan. It’s richer, darker, and more grown-up without feeling heavy. My winners: Rittenhouse + Averna, Angostura + orange, cherry on top. Simple. Strong. Balanced.
You know what? I still smile when I smell that orange oil over the glass. One twist and the room smells like a tiny holiday. That’s my kind of magic.