Bold, rich, and deeply flavorful, the Black Manhattan is a modern classic that swaps traditional sweet vermouth for amaro, creating a darker, more complex take on the classic Manhattan. The result is a smooth, bittersweet cocktail layered with notes of spice, herbs, oak, and dark fruit.
Finished with a premium cocktail cherry, the Black Manhattan is an ideal cocktail for bourbon and whiskey lovers who enjoy spirit-forward drinks with depth and sophistication.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1 oz Amaro Averna
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- 1 dash orange bitters
- Ice
Garnish:
Instructions
- Fill a mixing glass with ice.
- Add bourbon, Amaro Averna, Angostura bitters, and orange bitters.
- Stir until well chilled, about 20–30 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass or rocks glass over a large ice cube.
- Express an orange peel over the cocktail and garnish with a premium cocktail cherry.
Pair It With
Elevate your Black Manhattan experience with these Curious Kitchen favorites:
- 🍒 Boozy Cherries® | Bourbon Cocktail Cherries — Dark Italian Amarena cherries soaked in bourbon syrup — the perfect finishing touch for a spirit-forward cocktail.
- 🥃 Cocktail Bar Tool Kit — Everything you need to stir, shake, and strain like a pro.
- 🥃 Crystal Cocktail Mixing Pitcher — Elegant barware designed for stirring Manhattans and Old Fashioneds to perfection.
- 🥃 Crystal Cocktail Shaker with Built-In Strainer — Beautiful and functional barware for bourbon and classic cocktails.
Why It Works
The Black Manhattan’s bittersweet amaro and warming whiskey create layers of spice, citrus, and herbal complexity. A rich cocktail cherry adds luxurious dark fruit flavor that beautifully complements the cocktail’s bold profile.
Crafted in Kentucky by In the Curious Kitchen — where Southern heritage meets bourbon tradition — Boozy Cocktail Cherries® are made with imported dark Italian Amarena cherries soaked in bourbon syrup, making them a natural finishing touch for sophisticated whiskey cocktails like the Black Manhattan.
