Black Manhattan Cocktail Recipe (AKA a Sicilian Manhattan)
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The Black Manhattan is a bold, bittersweet twist on the classic cocktail.
It swaps sweet vermouth for Averna Amaro Siciliano, a dark herbal liqueur from Sicily that brings notes of citrus, caramel, and warm spice. The result? A smooth, elegant drink with just the right edge.
Quick Recipe Overview:
- 2 oz rye or bourbon
- 1 oz Averna Amaro
- Dash of orange + aromatic bitters
- Garnish with Luxardo cherries or orange peel
Stirred, not shaken. Served straight up.
Want to go deeper? Keep reading to learn why this cocktail is a modern classic with a Sicilian soul.
The Story Behind the Black Manhattan
This modern classic was created in 2005 at San Francisco’s Bourbon & Branch bar, and it’s really taken off, especially with fans of Italian amaro or cocktails with a little more depth. As a Sicilian, I can confidently say: this is the Manhattan you didn’t know you needed.
Want more Italian-inspired drinks? Check out my Sicilian Kiss cocktail for something sweet and bold, or the light and bubbly Hugo Spritz; both are perfect for happy hour.
The use of Averna Amaro in place of sweet Vermouth gives the cocktail a darker, smoother, and more complex flavor. It’s stirred, not shaken, and served straight up, typically in a coupe or martini glass, garnished with Luxardo cherries or an orange twist.
If you enjoy the original Manhattan, but want something with a little more depth and Italian flair, this is your drink.
Why You’ll Love It
- It’s a sophisticated twist on a classic — deeper, smoother, and full of Sicilian flair.
- Uses just a few ingredients but delivers big flavor.
- Perfect for cocktail hour, celebrations, or impressing guests.
What Readers are Saying
“This cocktail was so tasty… I felt transported to my hometown in Sicily.” – Mary
Ingredient Notes
To make the best Black Manhattan, you really do have to use quality ingredients. Each component adds something special, so here’s what you need and why it matters.
Bourbon or Rye Whiskey?
A classic Manhattan is traditionally made with either bourbon or rye, and the same applies here.
- Bourbon is smooth and slightly sweet with notes of vanilla and caramel, making for a softer, rounder cocktail.
- Rye whiskey brings a spicier, bolder edge and gives the drink more bite.
I usually reach for Basil Hayden Dark Rye because it has just the right balance of spice and richness, but you can’t go wrong with your favorite well-made bourbon or rye. Use what you love. You won’t be sorry!
Averna Amaro Siciliano
This is the ingredient that defines the Black Manhattan — and where the Sicilian soul of the cocktail really shines through.
“Amaro, which means bitter in Italian, is a bittersweet herbal liqueur that is wildly popular in Italy.
Averna Amaro is a very dark, sweet, herbal Sicilian liqueur that dates to 1868. It is infused with the citrus flavors that Sicily is renowned for, such as oranges, lemons, and pomegranates. Although the color might be intimidating, it has lovely notes of sweet, fresh fruit, which make it easy to drink on its own, and it mixes beautifully with whiskey.
The Bitters
Bitters might seem like a small addition, but they make a big difference in the overall balance of the drink.
- Angostura bitters are the traditional choice for a Manhattan — they bring warm spice and depth.
- Orange bitters brighten things up and play perfectly off the citrus notes in the Averna.
Luxardo Cherries or a Twist
No Manhattan is complete without a good garnish. For the Black Manhattan, Luxardo cherries are the gold standard.
These rich, dark cherries are candied in syrup and have a deeper flavor than bright-red maraschinos. They’re luxurious, a little indulgent, and totally worth it.
Want to mix it up? Add an orange peel twist instead. It complements the citrus in the bitters and amaro, and adds a touch of elegance to your glass.
How to Make a Black Manhattan Cocktail
1. Combine with Ice
Fill a shaker or mixing glass with large ice cubes and pour in the Bourbon, Amaro, a dash of bitters and a dash of orange bitters.
2. Stir
Then stir well. Shaking the cocktail with ice will make it cloudy and that is not what you want with this modern classic. By stirring the liqueurs appropriately, you both cool and dilute the beverage while preserving its impeccably clear appearance.
3. Strain and Garnish
Just pour the Black Manhattan through a strainer into your glass. Then garnish it with a Luxardo cherry or two or three! You can also serve it with an orange peel twist if you want to complement the flavor or citrus in the bitters and liqueurs.
4. How to Serve it
Traditionally, a Manhattan is served straight up, so it is often served in a chilled glass. This keeps the cocktail chilled without diluting it any further.
Tip
If you are using smaller ice cubes, don’t stir your drink for more than 15 seconds because the ice cubes will melt quickly. If you are using large ice cubes, you can cool your drink down longer by stirring for up to 30 seconds.
What Kind of Glass Should You Use?
A Manhattan is usually served in either a coupe glass or a martini glass. The stemmed martini-shaped glass gives the cocktail the sophisticated and elegant presentation it deserves.
Can You Serve This Drink Over Ice?
Traditionally, this booze-forward drink is served straight up. Once the ice starts melting, the flavor of the cocktail is altered. So, if you like your cocktails over ice, then I would recommend using a very large ice cube so that it melts slowly and does not dilute your drink too quickly.
When Do You Drink a Black Manhattan?
Typically, a Manhattan is served before dinner. It is an excellent drink to serve with appetizers during a cocktail party. Because it is a bit heavy, it is not normally served during dinner or as a digestive after dinner.
Other Variations of the Manhattan
This Black Manhattan recipe makes some small changes that create a new and tasty version of the old standard.
There are actually many versions of the original Manhattan that you might want to try. For instance, changing to half dry vermouth and half sweet vermouth results in a Perfect Manhattan! If you use Scotch Whiskey instead of Rye Whiskey, it is now a Rob Roy.
If you want something with a little less alcohol content, then swap the ratios of the Bourbon and Vermouth. This now becomes a Reverse Manhattan. The Vermouth becomes the more dominant liqueur, making the drink a little less potent but just as enjoyable.
Black Manhattan FAQs
A Black Manhattan has a richer, more complex flavor. The Averna adds bittersweet herbal notes, with hints of orange peel, licorice, and caramel. It’s a little less sweet than the original and has a smoother, more velvety finish.
This cocktail is perfect for winter dinner parties, holiday gatherings, or anytime you want to impress with something a little different. It’s also a great nightcap or pre-dinner aperitif.
Yes, Averna is actually a great sipping amaro. It’s bittersweet with a citrusy herbal flavor and a smooth texture. I’ll sometimes enjoy it over ice with a twist of orange, especially after dinner.
Definitely. Just multiply the ingredients for how many drinks you want to serve, stir everything with ice in a large pitcher, then strain it into a clean bottle and chill. When it’s time to serve, pour it into chilled glasses and garnish.
If you’ve got Averna on hand, try it in an Amaro Old Fashioned or add it to a Negroni in place of sweet vermouth. It’s also delicious simply mixed with tonic or cola for an easy aperitif.
Keep it tightly sealed in a cool, dark spot. It doesn’t need to be refrigerated. It’ll keep for months and still taste great.
!
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Black Manhattan Cocktail Recipe
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Equipment
- 1 Cocktail glass
- 1 Martini or Coupe glass
Ingredients
- 2 oz Basil Hayden Rye Whiskey or Bourbon
- 1 oz Averna Amaro Siciliano
- 1 dash Orange Bitters
- 1 dash Regular bitters
- Luxardo Cherries for garnish, or Maraschino cherries
- Ice
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail glass with ice. Add the Bourbon, Amaro Siciliano, and the bitters. Stir and pour the cocktail through a strainer into a prepared glass. Garnish with Luxardo cherries and serve.
What a great way to start the 4th of July holiday celebration. This cocktail was so tasty….i felt transported to my home town in Sicily. I will definitely include this recipe in my cocktail menu.
Mary Thank you for letting me know how much you liked this Sicilian twist on an already great coocktail!
My favorite drink is a Manhattan and this may have just replaced it!
Alex I definitely prefer this version. It is sooo good!
My mom always enjoyed her manhattans in her younger years and wasn’t shy about adding extra cherry juice! This version is one I’ll definitely try at the holidays because her cousin still enjoys manhattans and this might be right up his alley. The Luxardo cherries are intriguing!
Eleni
It is a great holiday drink! The Luxardo cherries are the way to go and your mom will love the juice from these cherries.