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Black Cherry Manhattan Recipe

This Black Cherry Manhattan takes the classic bourbon and sweet vermouth build and finishes it with a homemade maple black cherry syrup for a deeper, richer sip.
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Three cocktails in glass tumblers with large ice cubes, orange peels, and dark cherries rest on a black plate.
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:10 minutes
Total Time:20 minutes

Equipment

  • small saucepan
  • fine mesh sieve
  • cocktail shaker
  • 4 rocks or whiskey glasses

Ingredients

For the maple black cherry syrup:

  • 1½ cups pitted black cherries
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • ½ cup water

For the Manhattans:

  • 8 ounces bourbon
  • 4 ounces sweet vermouth
  • 8 to 12 dashes aromatic bitters 2 to 3 per drink
  • Ice for serving
  • 4 orange twists for garnish
  • 4 black cherries for garnish

Instructions

  • Combine the cherries, sugar, vanilla, maple syrup, and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat and cook 5 to 7 minutes, until slightly thickened.
  • Remove from heat and mash the cherries gently with a fork. Strain through a fine sieve into a clean container and cool completely.
  • Add the bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake lightly and strain over fresh ice into 4 rocks glasses.
  • Float about 1 ounce of the cooled cherry syrup over each drink. Express an orange twist over the surface, drop it in, and garnish with a black cherry.

Notes

  • To make these individually: 2 oz bourbon, 1 oz sweet vermouth, and 2 to 3 dashes bitters per drink.
  • Leftover syrup keeps sealed in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks.
Servings: 4 cocktails