The Black Manhattan (2026): Rye, Averna and 8 Bottles from $26.99
The Black Manhattan swaps the sweet vermouth in a classic Manhattan for an Italian amaro, and the result is darker, bittersweet and a little bit savory: rye spice up front, then caramel, orange peel, bitter herbs and a cola-like depth underneath. It is the kind of drink that makes sense on a cold October night, and it is simple enough to build with three bottles you can keep on a shelf for months.
The drink has a documented origin. Bartender Todd Smith created it around 2005 at Bourbon & Branch in San Francisco, using Averna in place of vermouth, and the formula has been copied in bars ever since. It is a short, stirred drink, so there is nowhere for a weak ingredient to hide. Below is the recipe, what each component does, and the specific bottles we would use, all in stock as of today with live prices.
The 8 bottles for a Black Manhattan
The Black Manhattan recipe
Stir 2 oz of rye whiskey, 1 oz of Averna ($39.99) and a few dashes of aromatic bitters over plenty of ice for about 30 seconds, until the outside of the mixing glass is frosted. Strain into a chilled coupe or over a single large cube, and garnish with a cocktail cherry or a wide orange peel expressed over the surface. The original calls for two dashes of Angostura and two of orange bitters. We do not currently stock cocktail bitters, so pick those up locally; the drink still works with just the amaro’s own bitterness, only a little flatter.
Three small habits improve the result. Chill the glass in the freezer first. Stir rather than shake, because a spirit-only drink should stay clear and silky. And use a good cherry or none at all, since a neon-red maraschino fights the amaro. A bar spoon of Luxardo Maraschino ($43.99) liqueur in the mixing glass is optional, but it adds a faint nutty-cherry note that suits the amaro.
Start with the rye
Rye is the traditional base because its peppery, herbal edge keeps up with a bitter amaro; bourbon tends to go sweeter and rounder, and the drink can drift toward dessert. If you are not sure which style you prefer, our bourbon vs. rye comparison explains the difference. Here are four ryes that suit this drink, from cheapest to most expensive.
WhistlePig Piglets ($34.99) is a young, lively rye at a low price, and its spice stands up well to the sweetness of Averna. Sazerac 6 Year Straight Rye ($34.99) is the bartender’s workhorse, dry and peppery with a hint of anise, and it is the one we would pick if you only buy a single rye for stirred drinks. Bulleit Rye ($38.99) is technically a high-rye bourbon (made with a very high proportion of rye in the mash, but legally bourbon), so it keeps a touch of vanilla while still reading as spicy. And High West Double Rye ($39.99) blends two rye whiskeys of different ages and mash bills, giving a minty, clove-like complexity that makes the cocktail taste more layered.
For a wider choice, browse the rye whiskey collection, or see which bottles our editors picked in the best bourbons for a Manhattan guide, which also covers rye-friendly options.
Averna, or another amaro?
Averna is the amaro the recipe was written around, and it is the correct starting point: caramel, orange peel and gentle cola notes, bitter but not harsh. The catch is stock. We have a single bottle of Averna left, so if it is gone by the time you read this, use one of the alternatives below instead of waiting.
Ramazzotti ($26.99) is the closest substitute and the cheapest bottle in the group. It is lighter, with orange and spice more prominent than caramel, and works well if you find Averna too sweet. Lucano ($37.99) leans toward dark caramel and herbs, and it makes a rounder, smokier Black Manhattan. Montenegro ($42.99) is the most floral and orange-forward of the four, producing a brighter drink that is less like cola and more like marmalade. For a drier, grape-based alternative at a higher price, Nonino Amaro Quintessentia ($54.99) is a sipping amaro that makes a very elegant version, though it is a bottle worth drinking neat too.
If amaro is new to you, our guide to the best amaro for beginners ranks the approachable bottles, and the four amaro cocktails guide shows how one bottle can cover a Negroni, a Boulevardier and more. You can see the whole range in the cordials and liqueurs collection.
Classic Manhattan or Black Manhattan?
A Manhattan with sweet vermouth is rounder, fruitier and more wine-like; a Black Manhattan is more bitter, more herbal and drier on the finish. If you want to try both side by side, buy one good vermouth too. Carpano Antica Formula ($42.99) is a rich, vanilla-heavy vermouth that makes the best traditional version, and our vermouth guide explains why the modifier matters as much as the whiskey. For the full classic recipe and bourbon options, read our Manhattan guide.
Serving it for a fall evening
The Black Manhattan is a good drink to batch for a small gathering. Multiply the recipe by eight, add roughly 3/4 oz of water per drink to account for dilution, and keep the mix in the freezer; it will not freeze solid at that proof, and you can pour it straight into chilled glasses. It also pairs well with salty, rich food: aged cheese, charcuterie, roasted nuts and dark chocolate all work. If you are putting together a seasonal menu, our fall whiskey cocktail roundup has seven more drinks that suit the same mood.
What to buy
For a first bottle set, we would buy Sazerac 6 Year and Ramazzotti, which together come to about 61.98 and make a very good Black Manhattan. If you can find Averna, buy it and use the same rye. Prices above are live as of publication, and Averna stock is limited.
Shop the bottles
Start with the rye whiskey collection and the cordials and liqueurs collection, then browse the full whiskey collection for everything else in stock.
