A Brandy Manhattan Cocktail substitutes brandy for whiskey and adds the flavor of cherry for a twist on the classic Manhattan Cocktail.
This classic cocktail contains brandy, vermouth, orange bitters, and maraschino cherry juice (also called maraschino liqueur). It is kinda like a Manhattan but without the whiskey and also like the Brooklyn that contains maraschino liqueur.
But for me, this is the cocktail that both my mom and my grandmother used to drink. They enjoyed it as both an aperitif and as a celebration drink and I never knew how good this cocktail is until several years ago when I was at a cocktail party for work and ordered it because it was the first cocktail that came to my mind.
Everyone wanted to know what I had! It looked very swanky in the traditional coupe glass that a cocktail served "up" typically is served in.
And yes, if you order this at a bar, you will be asked do you want it "up", which means the cocktail ingredients are shaken or stirred with ice and strained into a coupe, or "over" which means the ingredients are mixed and poured over ice in a rocks glass. Trust me... you want it up!
This cocktail can be very sweet but you can control the sweetness by adding more or less maraschino cherry juice and/or more or less orange bitters. If you are out and like it less sweet, ask for a "dry" Brandy Manhattan when you are out next time and the bartender will do their best to make it less sweet.
But it is so easy to make, let's make some at home!
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Ingredients
Here's what you need for this Brandy Manhattan Cocktail:
- Brandy or Cognac - This is the heart of the cocktail that gives it a fruit-forward flavor.
- Vermouth - You can use either dry Vermouth which is dry and floral or sweet vermouth which has notes of spice and herbs and is, of course, sweet.
- Orange Bitters - Orange bitters give balance to this cocktail and the orange complements the cherry.
- Maraschino Cherry Syrup - Simply use the syrup that the cherries are packed in.
Garnish:
- Maraschino Cherries - Use good quality maraschino cherries and if you want to go super premium Luxardo is the cherry to buy.
Please see the recipe card for the exact quantities.
Instructions
Add brandy, vermouth, orange bitters, and cherry syrup to a mixing glass or shaker.
Add ice and stir or shake until well-chilled.
Strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe glass.
Garnish the Brandy Manhattan with one or more maraschino cherries.
If you are using Luxardo Maraschino Cherries, one cherry never seems enough! You can sip a little of the drink and then have a cherry, and then sip a bit more... you get the idea!
My Top Tips
Try varying the brand of Maraschino cherries you use. Luxardo cherries are very expensive, but a great splurge for the Holidays and celebrations.
Substitutions & Variations
- Substitute Plain Bitters - If you don't have orange bitters you can substitute plain bitters.
- Omit the Bitters - For a very sweet cocktail, you can omit the bitters entirely.
- Substitute Whisky - You can substitute your favorite whiskey for the brandy, which is also very tasty. But the cocktail would then be a Brooklyn and not a Brandy Manhattan.
Make-Ahead & Storage
You can pre-make multiple servings by mixing all of the ingredients in a carafe. For example to make a batch of 4 servings of this cocktail, mix 4x the ingredients in a carafe. Cover the carafe and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Then pour the cocktail into prechilled glasses or over the rocks and serve. I've done the calculations for a party-ready batch for you in the following chart:
How to Make this Brandy Manhattan Cocktail for a Party
| Ingredient | 4 Servings | 6 Servings | 8 Servings | 12 Servings | 16 Servings | 24 Servings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandy | 1 C | 1 ¼ C | 2 C | 2 ¼ Cups | 4 Cups | 6 Cups |
| Vermouth | ½ C | ¾ C | 1 C | 1 ½ Cups | 2 Cups | 3 Cups |
| Bitters | ½ t | ¾ t | 1 t | 1 ½ t | 2 t | 3 t |
| Cherry Syrup | 1 T+ 1 t | 2 T | 2 T + 2 t | ¼ Cup | 5 T + 1 t | ½ Cup |
| Cherries | 4 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 24 |
Whether you enjoy this as a single cocktail or as a batch at a party, this Brandy Manhattan is a winning cocktail every time. Enjoy it on its own or with pecans or crackers with blue cheese.
More Great Cocktail Recipes
📖 Recipe
Brandy Manhattan Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 Ounces Brandy, or Cognac
- 1 Ounce Vermouth
- 2 Dashes Bitters
- 1 Teaspoon Maraschino Cherry Syrup
Garnish:
- Maraschino Cherries
Instructions
- Add brandy, vermouth, orange bitters, and cherry syrup to a mixing glass or shaker.2 Ounces Brandy, 1 Ounce Vermouth, 2 Dashes Bitters, 1 Teaspoon Maraschino Cherry Syrup
- Add ice and stir or shake until well-chilled.
- Strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish the cocktail with one or more maraschino cherries.Maraschino Cherries
Notes
- Substitute Plain Bitters - If you don't have orange bitters you can substitute plain bitters.
- Omit the Bitters - For a very sweet cocktail, you can omit the bitters entirely.
- Substitute Whisky - You can substitute your favorite whiskey for the brandy, which is also very tasty. But the cocktail would then be a Brooklyn and not a Brandy Manhattan.
Nutrition Per Serving
All nutritional information on this site is an estimate. Your results may vary.
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