If you love the rich, deep flavors of the classic cocktail, you’ll love this Smoked Manhattan. Bourbon is combined with sweet vermouth, bitters, maraschino cherry syrup, and the added smoky flavor of smoked cinnamon for a real treat that is bound to be any Manhattan lover’s new favorite cocktail.
A Smoked Manhattan is super easy to make and an impressive cocktail to serve up to guests during happy hour or as an after-dinner drink. For more smoky cocktails, be sure to check out my Smoked Old Fashioned, Mezcal Manhattan, and Mezcalita.
I also have some smoky cocktails in my Outlander cocktail series that feature both gin and Scotch whisky.
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What is a Manhattan?
The classic Manhattan dates back to the early 1880s. There is some controversy over who invented the cocktail, but it is believed to have originated at the Manhattan Club, a social club in New York City.
Rye whiskey is the traditional whiskey used in a Manhattan, but other common whiskeys you can use are bourbon, Tennessee whiskey, or Canadian whiskey. A Manhattan is typically served in a coupe or martini glass, but can also be served over the rocks in an old-fashioned glass.
In a twist on the classic, this Smoked Manhattan combines complimenting, different flavor profiles to make one of the best smoked cocktails. The warmth of the cinnamon is amplified by burning the cinnamon stick to create smoke.
Since cinnamon is a tasting note standard in bourbon, the two flavors blend well together. Bourbon is always aged in oak barrels that are often charred to give extra flavor—this characteristic of bourbon pairs particularly well with the smoky flavors of the burnt cinnamon in this cocktail.
Ingredient Notes
Bourbon: This take on the cocktail is made with bourbon, giving it a slightly sweeter flavor than whiskey. Bourbon is produced only in the United States and mainly in Kentucky. Other types of whiskey is made worldwide including Ireland, Scotland, and Japan. Keep in mind, the flavor of your cocktail will vary based on what type of whiskey is used.
Sweet Vermouth: Vermouth is a fortified wine made with spices and herbs, giving it a unique flavor. There are two types of vermouth- dry and sweet. Manhattans typically use sweet vermouth over dry vermouth as the sweetness helps balance the bitter, spiciness of whiskey.
Orange Bitters: While there are many different bitters, this recipe calls for orange bitters. With an infusion of orange peels, the citrus flavor lends itself to this Smoked Manhattan, accenting the warmth of the cinnamon and bourbon. If you prefer to stick to the classic aromatic bitters when making this smoked cocktail, it will work fine – it will give more of a classic Manhattan flavor.
Cinnamon Stick: To give your Smoked Manhattan its signature flavor, use a burnt cinnamon stick to infuse smoke into your cocktail glass. The warm flavors of the cinnamon combined with the subtle smoke flavor will elevate your cocktail and create layers of flavor reminiscent of fall.
Maraschino Cherry Syrup: A drizzle of maraschino cherry syrup will give your Smoked Manhattan a little sweetness. Hands down, Luxardo Maraschino Cherries are the best maraschino cherries that you can use. They are a bit pricey, but worth it in my opinion. But, if you want something at a lower price point but good quality, you can check out these Amarena Fabbri Wild Cherries.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Start by carefully lighting the end of your cinnamon stick.
Blow out the flame and place it on a heat-proof plate, covering it with an upside-down cocktail glass. Leave this to infuse the smoke into your glass while mixing your drink.
Step 2: Add the bourbon and sweet vermouth to a mixing glass filled with ice.
Step 3: Add a few dashes of bitters and a bit of cherry syrup.
Step 5: Garnish with a couple of maraschino cherries. You can also garnish the drink with the burnt cinnamon stick.
Expert Tips
- Light the cinnamon stick very carefully – you can use anything from a regular lighter, matches, or kitchen lighter.
- Store your sweet vermouth in the fridge for the longest shelf life. If you don’t drink a lot of cocktails with sweet vermouth, make sure to buy a split. Or, you can make cocktails like my Sweet Vermouth Spritz.
Variations
- Try a hearty herb, like rosemary or sage, instead of a cinnamon stick to smoke the cocktail for a slightly different flavor profile. Steer clear of more delicate herbs like cilantro, mint, or basil.
- Try different types of bitters, some good options include cherry, cranberry, or chocolate bitters.
Serving Ideas
- Serve up these cocktails at a holiday party, Thanksgiving happy hour, or on a cozy fall or winter evening. It’ll take all of your celebrations next level.
- It’s a great drink to go with charcuterie, homemade pizza, or flatbread with hearty toppings.
- If you really love a good Manhattan, you should try a Grand Marnier Bourbon Sour – it is a bourbon-based cocktail that is almost like a cross between a Whiskey Sour and a Manhattan.
FAQ
What are some good whiskeys to use for a Manhattan?
You can use bourbon or rye whiskey in Manhattans. I tend to lean towards bourbons as those are my favorite types of whiskeys.
- Basil Hayden’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- High Wire Rye Whiskey for a more traditional Manhattan
- Kirkland Small Batch Bourbon (yes, Kirkland as in Costco – if your Costco sells spirits, go should definitely go buy it. Costco did a collaboration with Barton 1792 for their small batch bourbon collection.)
What are some good options for sweet vermouth?
Two of my favorite sweet vermouth brands are:
- Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth
- Dolin Vermouth De Chambery Rouge
Related Recipes
Did you love this cocktail?
Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating & review in the comments below.
📖 Recipe
Smoked Manhattan Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 stick cinnamon
- 2 ounces bourbon
- ¾ ounce sweet vermouth
- 3 dashes orange bitters
- 1 teaspoon maraschino cherry syrup (or more, if desired) recommend Luxardo
- Maraschino cherries for garnish recommend Luxardo
Instructions
- Very carefully light the end of the cinnamon stick. Blow it out or let it extinguish. Place the cinnamon stick on a heat proof plate and cover with an upside-down cocktail glass.
- Add bourbon, sweet vermouth, bitters, and cherry syrup to a mixing glass filled with ice.
- Stir well and strain the Manhattan into the smoked cocktail glass. Garnish with maraschino cherries and/or burnt cinnamon stick, if desired.
Notes
- Light the cinnamon stick very carefully – you can use anything from a regular lighter, matches, or kitchen torch.
- Store your sweet vermouth in the fridge for the longest shelf life. If you don’t drink a lot of cocktails with sweet vermouth, make sure to buy a split, half bottle as it can go bad quickly and equal less waste.
Nutrition
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Ada Hood
Your writing style kept me engaged. The flow of the article was smooth and logical. I hadn鈥檛 considered this angle before.
Ann
I absolutely love Manhattans and when you add the smoked cinnamon stick, it’s perfection!!
Maria
I’m going to try this cocktail. Manhattans are my favorite and I absolutely love cinnamon
Melissa
Then I def think you’ll like it! I really enjoyed it!