Enjoy fall with this easy-to-make Apple Manhattan recipe! With Bourbon, sweet vermouth, apple brandy or calvados, and Angostura aromatic bitters, this cocktail warms you up.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
199
Ingredients
- 1½ oz Bourbon
- 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
- ¾ oz Apple Brandy or Calvados
- 1 dash of Angostura aromatic bitters
- Ice cubes
- Apple slice - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Cocktail Glass (Martini or coupe style)
- Mixing Glass
- Cocktail Strainer
- Bar spoon or long stirrer
- Martini Glass
- Measuring Jigger
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill a Martini glass with ice. Give it a stir to chill it and set it aside.
- Add Bitters: Pour 1 dash of Angostura aromatic bitters into the mixing glass.
- Add Vermouth: Measure and pour 1 oz Sweet Vermouth into the mixing glass.
- Add Apple Brandy: Add ¾ oz Apple Brandy or Calvados.
- Add Bourbon: Finally, add 1½ oz Bourbon to the mix.
- Add Ice and Stir: Fill the mixing glass with ice. Using a bar spoon or a long stirrer, stir well (for about 15-20 seconds). Give it a taste and stir a bit more if you feel like more dilution is necessary.
- Strain: Take your Martini glass or cocktail coupe and discard the ice inside. Using the cocktail strainer, strain the mixture into the chilled glass.
- Garnish: Garnish with a thin apple alice on the rim of the glass and serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Bourbon: If you don't have bourbon, rye whiskey is a great alternative to give the cocktail a spicier edge. For a smoother profile, try using Irish whiskey instead.
- Sweet Vermouth: Any kind of red vermouth can be used to prepare this cocktail (just keep in mind that the overall flavor profile may change depending on the brand used).
- Apple Brandy/Calvados: If you can't find apple brandy or Calvados, you can use another type of brandy (such as Cognac for example). You won’t get the typical apple flavor coming from the apple brandy of Calvados, but it will still ake for a delicious and complex drink.
Making a Pitcher of Apple Manhattan:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of bourbon, 8 oz of sweet vermouth, 6 oz of apple brandy or Calvados, and 8 dashes of Angostura bitters.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the Angostura bitters, bourbon, sweet vermouth, and apple brandy (or Calvados). Add ice and stir well.
- Serve: Strain to remove the ice, serve immediately into chilled coupe or martini glasses, and garnish with fresh apple slices. If you have some leftovers, be sure to keep it in the fridge (make sure no ice cubes are left inside) in an airtight container as vermouth is prone to oxidation when kept at room temperature.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Bourbon Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic bourbon substitute. Several brands are available that mimic the flavor of bourbon without the alcohol. If you’re feeling crafty, you can also make your own bourbon substitute by infusing together rooibos tea and a bunch of spices of your liking (vanilla and cinnamon are always a good way to start). Mix all the ingredients together, add hot water, cover, and let it infuse for at least 3h (the stronger the better, so if you have time let it infuse overnight. In that case, you can either let it rest in the fridge once the liquid has cooled down). Give it a taste, adjust the spice level if necessary, and strain it once you’re happy with the result. Stored properly (in an airtight container in the fridge), this “tea-whiskey” can be kept for up to a week.
- Apple Brandy/Calvados Substitute: Opt for non-alcoholic apple cider instead of apple brandy or Calvados.
- Sweet Vermouth Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic vermouth (Martini Vibrante for instance) or non-alcoholic red wine (look for a sweeter, smoother kind). These are usually widely available in liquor stores.
- Angostura Bitters: You can simply omit the bitters when making a non-alcoholic version of this recipe. Also, note that 2 dashes of bitter in an otherwise alcohol-free drink won’t raise the overall ABV of the drink. The drink will indeed chemically contain a drop of alcohol, but won’t make you intoxicated at all. Depending on your reason for not drinking alcohol and your degree of tolerance on the topic, this can also be a suitable option.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
This cocktail is already vegan-friendly as it doesn't contain any animal products. However, always check your ingredients' labels to ensure they're suitable for vegans. Some brands may use animal products in their processing methods.What is an Apple Manhattan Cocktail?
An Apple Manhattan is a whiskey-based cocktail made out of bourbon, sweet vermouth, apple brandy or calvados, and Angostura aromatic bitters cocktail. It’s relatively easy to make as it only requires mixing these four ingredients properly. The Apple Manhattan is a variant of the classic Manhattan cocktail, with apple brandy added for an autumnal twist. This drink stands out due to its balance between the robustness of bourbon and the sweet-tart flavor profile of apple brandy, making it a perfect choice for those looking for a potent and complex beverage.
What is an Apple Manhattan Cocktail made of – The ingredients
For the creation of an Apple Manhattan, these are the necessary ingredients:
- Bourbon: The cocktail’s base spirit provides a robust and rich flavor.
- Sweet Vermouth: Adds a sweet and slightly bitter taste to balance out the bourbon.
- Apple Brandy or Calvados: Gives the cocktail its distinctive apple flavor.
- Angostura Bitters: Enhances the other flavors in the cocktail and adds complexity.
- Apple Slice: Used as a garnish, it adds a touch of color and fruitiness to the drink, complementing the apple brandy perfectly.
