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Black Manhattan

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on November 25, 2025

Time

5 minutes

Yield

Makes 1 cocktail

Black Manhattan

Ingredients

2 ounces rye ¾ ounce Amaro Averna Siciliano ⅛ teaspoon old-fashioned aromatic bitters Cocktail cherries for garnishing

Before You Begin

You can garnish with an orange twist in addition to the cocktail cherries, if desired.

Instructions

  1. Add 2 ounces rye, ¾ ounce Amaro Averna Siciliano, and ⅛ teaspoon old-fashioned aromatic bitters to mixing glass, then fill three-quarters full with ice. Using bar spoon, stir until mixture is fully combined and well chilled, about 1 minute. Strain cocktail into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with cocktail cherries and serve.
Black Manhattan
Photography by Steve Klise. Styling by Joy Howard.

Black Manhattan

Headshot of America's Test Kitchen
By America's Test Kitchen

Published on November 25, 2025

Save

Time

5 minutes

Yield

Makes 1 cocktail

Ingredients

2 ounces rye
¾ ounce Amaro Averna Siciliano
⅛ teaspoon old-fashioned aromatic bitters
Cocktail cherries for garnishing

Ingredients

2 ounces rye
¾ ounce Amaro Averna Siciliano
⅛ teaspoon old-fashioned aromatic bitters
Cocktail cherries for garnishing

Ingredients

2 ounces rye
¾ ounce Amaro Averna Siciliano
⅛ teaspoon old-fashioned aromatic bitters
Cocktail cherries for garnishing

Why This Recipe Works

This twist on the classic Manhattan substitutes Amaro Averna for the vermouth. This one small change makes a grand impact on the profile, which becomes rich, deep, and complex. The Manhattan’s history is long (pre-Prohibition), while the black Manhattan’s is short; it was developed in 2005 by bartender Todd Smith of San Francisco’s Bourbon & Branch.

Before You Begin

You can garnish with an orange twist in addition to the cocktail cherries, if desired.

Instructions

  1. Add 2 ounces rye, ¾ ounce Amaro Averna Siciliano, and ⅛ teaspoon old-fashioned aromatic bitters to mixing glass, then fill three-quarters full with ice. Using bar spoon, stir until mixture is fully combined and well chilled, about 1 minute. Strain cocktail into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with cocktail cherries and serve.

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