Easy Smoked Manhattan with Cinnamon

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. 

Step 1: Start by carefully lighting the end of your cinnamon stick on fire, allowing it to burn a little so that it creates smoke.

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 4: Stir the mixture, moving the spoon up and down you stir to fully distribute the flavors. Flip your cocktail glass over and strain with a strainer the cocktail into the smoked glass.

Step 5: Garnish with a couple of maraschino cherries. You can also garnish the drink with the burnt cinnamon stick. 

• 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. 

• 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.

• 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 Man O’ War Cocktail – it is a bourbon-based cocktail that is almost like a cross between a Whiskey Sour and 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 booze, 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?