Black Manhattan

What it tastes like

With a dry, bittered backbone, served spirit-forward. Overall it reads as bitter.

Why this recipe works

Stirring keeps the Black Manhattan silky and lets the spirit stay centre-stage — there's no citrus to froth, so dilution and chill come from gentle contact with ice rather than aeration. A small dash of bitters sharpens the edges and stops the sweetness reading flat.

When to serve it

Serve as a slow, spirit-forward sipper rather than a session drink.

Common mistakes

• Over-stirring. Stop once the outside of the mixing glass is cold and frosted — usually 20–30 seconds.
• Serving in a warm glass. Chill the coupe or martini glass in the freezer first.