If you love maraschino cherries, raise your glass to this Cherry Lover’s Manhattan Cocktail!
This week I am bringing you a cherrytastic Manhattan cocktail recipe. I first tried a Manhattan years ago and was not impressed with how strong it was. I don’t usually like purely booze drinks, so it’s not surprising that I wasn’t a fan.
Best Manhattan Cocktail Recipe: Sweet and Lower
Recently, I have decided (for no good reason) that Manhattans pair well with old-school steak dinners, so I have created my own version that is a little sweeter and goes down more easily. If you prefer the original, dry version, then check out this recipe at Esquire magazine for a more classic Manhattan recipe (and turn away from what you are about to see).
I had a bottle of Luxardo maraschino liqueur in my cabinet from when I made Aviation cocktails a while back, and I thought it would be great for adding even more of that cherry flavor I love to this drink. Since that wasn’t quite enough, I also added a couple of spoonfuls of the juice from the jar of cherries. Now, I realize that that “juice” is mostly corn syrup and red dye when it comes to plain ol’ grocery store maraschino cherries, but if you use a homemade or high-quality version, it will be even better. Either way, you’ll appreciate the additional sweetness the cherry juice brings if you find traditional Manhattans a bit too strong like I do.
How to Make Manhattan Cocktail
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Servings |
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- 4 oz. bourbon whiskey
- 2 oz. sweet vermouth
- 1 oz. Luxardo maraschino liqueur
- 4 dashes Angostura bitters
- 2 tsp. maraschino cherry juice
- 6 maraschino cherries or to taste
Ingredients
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- Place martini glasses in freezer or fill with ice to chill.
- Pour bourbon, sweet vermouth, Luxardo, bitters, and cherry juice into cocktail shaker. Fill shaker with ice and shake. (That's right, I said shake. I don't mind about bruising and cloudiness and the like. I like it super cold and a little diluted. Stir if you prefer.)
- Remove ice from chilled glasses or take glasses out of the freezer, and place 3 cherries in bottom of each glass. Pour half of mixture over cherries in each glass. Sip and enjoy, but not too slowly because it tastes best very cold.
Do you have your own favorite version of a Manhattan cocktail that’s different than mine? Tell me about it in the comments! I’d love to try it your way too.
 Wondering what to do with the rest of that Luxardo? Make your own maraschino cherries!
Need Martini glasses? Grab these sturdy ones from Amazon!
Charles Cianfrocca says
Only difference from the way I make them is the maraschino liqueur. Had not thought of that… The other mods I was already doing. We have Luxardo on the shelf, since we enjoy a good Aviation, so we will try this tonight.
Amber says
I added the juice is a couple orange slices. I happened to have blood orange from the holiday citrus present. Delicious!
P. Noonan says
I prefer Canadian Whiskey (RYE) – Alberta Premium Dark Horse, with Sweet Vermouth (2:1 ratio) with a splash of the cherry juice and 3 – 4 dashes of bitters and a couple of cocktail cherries on ice.
Recently was in Quebec and was asking for a Manhattan and to add a Maraschino cherry, not realizing there was a Maraschino Liqueur. Something was lost in translation and the Manhattan was made with Maraschino liqueur instead of Sweet Vermouth and was very good. Now I just have to find somewhere to buy the Maraschino Liqueur – it’s not carried in liquor stores in our province.
April says
I wondered if any legit personage put cherry juice in their Manhattans like I do. Yay you. :)
kathleen says
this was really good — i grew up stealing tastes of my parents’ nightly whiskey sours and as a result developed a taste for bourbon… fast forward through a 25 year marriage and 21 year old triplets and i am discovering bourbon again. since i have an insatiable sweet tooth, the Manhattan has called to me many times. a traditional Manhattan is always enjoyed, but this one was the bomb! i upped the ante a bit since the maraschino cherries i use (ever since i had a Manhattan at Carthay Circle in Disney’s California Adventure) are Luxardos, I used the juice — no SYRUP from those cherries in the drink, and of course 3 of the Luxardo cherries (unlike any maraschino cherry you’ve ever had – and worth the exhorbitant cost). I’m in Manhattan heaven…..