Brandied Chocolate Manhattan – A Whiskey Cocktail

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Last Updated on June 11, 2023 by Leah Hall

A chocolate version of a classic Manhattan recipe with our brandied cherries.

We always are fans of the classic cocktails, and the classic Manhattan was invented in the 1870s at the Manhattan Club in New York. This chocolate Manhattan is typical of the cocktails from this period that were plenty boozy and not overly sweet.

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Manhattan Cocktail

Typically made with an American whiskey and Italian vermouth with a splash of bitters, the Manhattan is one of those drinks your grandfather grew up drinking. There are a couple of variations that use different alcohols as the base, one of which is the Brandy Manhattan.

Typically found up in the bars of the lake country of Wisconsin and Minnesota, the Brandy Manhattan is a sweeter version that cuts out the whiskey making the drink a fruitier version of the classic cocktail.

Jay tried one of the “North Woods” Manhattans but missed the bite of the whiskey. He did enjoy the additional fruitiness the brandy brought to the drink and wondered what might happen if we combined the brandy and the whiskey into a Manhattan.

We often use our friends as guinea pigs for recipe testing and Jay tried a variation a few months ago that added honey brandy to the mix. This then got a favorable reaction from most of them, so we knew we were on the right path, and it felt like it was missing something. We tried on and off again over the last few months and didn’t quite hit on the perfect combination (hard to believe, but we do have lots of misses that we don’t share with you!)

We added the chocolate bitters to our classic Manhattan recipe and addition of the dark chocolate just the right amount of rich deep sweetness to make the drink come alive.

What Kind of Cherries to use in a Manhattan?

Combining the sweet vermouth and brandied cherries with the awesome single malt whiskey and the rich deep chocolate flavor from the bitters takes this twist on a classic cocktail and makes it a real winner! Mix in a mixing glass with a bar spoon. The cherries to use are Luxardo made with sour Marasca cherries, not the bright red cherries you find at the supermarket!

Cheers!

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Like this recipe? Try these below, too!

The Smoked Cherry Cocktail

Brandy and Blackberry Lavender Shrub Cocktail

Other Chocolate Cherry Cocktails

• Chocolate Covered Cherry Cordial – The Slow Roasted Italian
• Chocolate Covered Cherry Martini – Real Housemoms
• Cherry Chocolate Bourbon Cocktail – Bourbon Banter

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Yield: 1

Brandied Chocolate Manhattan - A Whiskey Cocktail

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Total Time: 3 minutes

A chocolate kissed version of a classic Manhattan recipe! Cheers to this chocolate Manhattan.

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Ingredients

Chocolate Brandied Manhattan

• 1.75 ounces whiskey
• 1 ounce sweet vermouth
• .75 ounce brandy
• 3 dashes chocolate bitters
• 2 brandied cherries

Instructions

Add ice into a mixing glass and add whiskey.brandy, vermouth and chocolate bitters.

Stir. Place one brandied cherry into the bottom of a coupe or martini glass.

Strain into the glass and garnish with the other cherry.

Cheers!

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer for Cocktails
• 
  Bar Spoon
• 
  Hiware Mixing Glass 24oz/700ml Thick Bottom Cocktail Glass Preferred by Pros and Amateurs Alike, Make Your Own Specialty Cocktails
• 
  Libbey Speakeasy Coupe Glass 7 oz - 4 Pack w/ Pourer
• 
  Luxardo, Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries 400G Jar
• 
  WOODFORD RESERVE Chocolate Bitters (2oz)

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 202Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0.9gFiber: 0gSugar: 0.1gProtein: 0g

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