Table of Contents:
- Manhattan vs. Old Fashioned Video
- The Manhattan vs. the Old Fashioned Overview
- What’s in the Glass
- How Does the Taste Compare?
- Glass & Garnish
- How to Make Them: Manhattan Recipe & Old Fashioned Recipe with Videos
- Manhattan vs. Old Fashioned FAQs
They are two of the best known classic whiskey cocktails, and it’s safe to say that you can order them at pretty much any bar. The Manhattan and the Old Fashioned are both delicious cocktails made with whiskey – so what’s the difference anyway, and how should you know which one to order the next time you stop by your neighborhood cocktail bar?
Disclaimer: Old Fashioneds are one cocktail that are made very differently by different people. The following article is based on the “traditional” recipe of the Old Fashioned, but may not be what you get if you order one at your local watering hole.
TL;DR: The Manhattan vs The Old Fashioned:
Want a quick recap? Here’s a very high level overview of the differences between these two iconic and classic whiskey cocktails:
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The Manhattan is:
- Made with whiskey (usually bourbon), Sweet Vermouth & Angostura bitters (no syrup).
- Typically served “up” (in a stemmed cocktail or martini glass) and garnished with a cocktail cherry.
- A strong cocktail with slight bitterness and some herbal undertones from the bitters and vermouth. Seasoned drinkers may pick up underlying sweetness from the Sweet Vermouth & whiskey.
- Choose a Manhattan if you’re looking for something multi-dimensional with very little sweetness.
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The Old Fashioned is:
- Made with Whiskey (often Bourbon or Rye), bitters, and sugar.
- Typically served in an “Old Fashioned” glass (think: rocks glass without ice) and garnished with a slice/peel of orange and / or cherry.
- Another strong cocktail that’s definitely on the sweeter side. A seasoned drinker will also pick up slight herbal and bitter undertones from the bitters.
- Choose the Old Fashioned if you’re looking for something a little on the sweeter side.
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What’s in the Glass
While the Manhattan and Old Fashioned share 2/3 of their ingredients, the final cocktails are quite different. Here’s why:
Manhattans are made with Bourbon whiskey, Sweet Vermouth and Angostura Bitters.
Old Fashioneds are made with Bourbon or Rye whiskey, Angostura Bitters and sugar (or simple syrup.)
The key difference between the two is the sweetener – and it makes all the difference! The Manhattan uses Sweet Vermouth and the Old Fashioned uses plain sugar.
Sweet Vermouth is a type of aromatized fortified wine. In plain English: It’s wine that’s had alcohol added and been infused with other flavors. (Typically herbs and botanicals that add flavor, aroma, and usually some bitterness.) It’s also not terribly sweet (despite its name).
Photo by Giorgio Trovato via www.unsplash.com[/caption]
How Does the Taste Compare?
The result of using Sweet Vermouth instead of syrup or sugar in the Manhattan cocktail does two things: first, it keeps the drink fairly dry. Experienced drinkers will certainly notice the sweetness from the Sweet Vermouth, but folks who are used to a Whiskey Sour or Mojito may find this a much drier option.
Secondly, the vermouth adds a lot of additional flavor. Manhattan drinkers will often tell you the reason they love this cocktail is for its complexity. That layered flavor comes (at least in part) from the infused botanicals in the vermouth.
Old Fashioneds, on the other hand, are traditionally made with a simple sugar cube muddled with bitters in the bottom of the glass. It’s sweet, yes, but the sugar brings very little else to the cocktail. As such I’d argue the Old Fashioned is not anywhere near as complex of a cocktail – but that’s not a bad thing. I think it lets the flavor of the whiskey shine through nicely. Sugar is also much sweeter than Sweet Vermouth, so the final cocktail tastes sweeter than a Manhattan as well.
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Glass & Garnish
Glass: Sitting next to each other, these two cocktails look pretty different! That’s because the Manhattan is traditionally served “up” in a Martini or coupe glass, while the Old Fashioned is typically served in an Old Fashioned glass with one large ice cube. (No surprise there.) If you’re not familiar, and Old Fashioned glass is very similar to a rocks glass; the two are often used interchangeably.
Garnish: As for garnish, the Manhattan is pretty consistent: You’ll usually receive your cocktail with one or three cocktail cherries for garnish. (Not two: that’s bad form.)
Garnish on the Old Fashioned varies quite a bit – from the “fruit salad” approach (several cherries + a large wedge of orange) to the more traditional (and simpler) piece of orange rind.
What about ice?
A Manhattan is typically stirred with ice, then strained into a chilled stemmed glass without serving ice. An Old Fashioned is usually served over ice in a rocks glass. Both benefit from dilution; the Old Fashioned continues to change as its serving ice melts.
How to Make Them:
If you’ve read this far then you’ve probably made up your mind about which cocktail you’d like to enjoy this evening. If you’re at home and looking for a recipe, look no farther!
The Manhattan Recipe
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 oz Bourbon
- 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add all ingredients to a mixing glass and add ice.
- Stir to chill.
- Strain and serve “up.” Garnish with a brandied cherry.
The Old Fashioned Recipe
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 oz Whiskey (typically Rye or Bourbon)
- 1/2 oz Simple Syrup
- 2 dashes Bitters
- 1 twist Orange Peel
- 1 each Maraschino (Brandied) Cherry (Optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine syrup and bitters in a mixing glass and stir to combine
- Add whiskey, then ice. Stir.
- Strain into an old fashioned glass or bucket with fresh ice
- Garnish with an orange peel and (if preferred) a Maraschino Cherry.
Manhattan vs. Old Fashioned FAQs
Q: What’s the difference between a Manhattan and an Old Fashioned?
A: Both combine whiskey and bitters, but a Manhattan adds sweet vermouth, while an Old Fashioned uses sugar or syrup. Vermouth brings wine and botanical flavors; sugar lets the whiskey take more of the spotlight. A Manhattan is usually served up in a stemmed glass, while an Old Fashioned is typically served over ice.
Q: Which is stronger, a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned?
A: It depends on the whiskey’s proof, the recipe, and dilution. An Old Fashioned can have a higher alcohol concentration because it contains less mixer. However, with equal pours of the same whiskey, a Manhattan contains more total alcohol because the vermouth also contributes alcohol. A stronger-tasting drink doesn’t necessarily contain more alcohol.
Q: Which is sweeter, a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned?
A: Neither is automatically sweeter. An Old Fashioned’s sweetness depends on how much sugar or syrup you add. A Manhattan’s depends on the vermouth, its proportion, and the whiskey you choose. Expect more wine and herbal character in a Manhattan, while an Old Fashioned offers a more direct combination of whiskey, sweetness, and bitters.
Q: Can I use rye instead of bourbon in a Manhattan or Old Fashioned?
A: Absolutely. Rye is a classic Manhattan choice, and both rye and bourbon work well in an Old Fashioned. Rye often brings peppery spice and a drier character, while bourbon commonly offers vanilla and caramel notes. Start with the same measurement, then adjust the drink to suit the particular bottle.
Q: Can I substitute sweet vermouth for sugar in an Old Fashioned?
A: You can experiment, but it changes more than the sweetness. Vermouth adds wine, botanicals, alcohol, and extra liquid, moving the drink toward a Manhattan-style combination. It isn’t a direct, equal-measure replacement for sugar or syrup. Follow a Manhattan recipe if that’s the flavor you’re after.
Q: Should I order a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned?
A: Choose a Manhattan if you enjoy whiskey with herbal, wine-based flavors. Choose an Old Fashioned if you want the whiskey itself to lead, accented by bitters, sweetness, and citrus oils. Tell your bartender which whiskey you enjoy and how sweet you like your drinks; that’s more useful than assuming either cocktail always tastes one particular way.
We’re just a bunch of regular people who love making classy drinks. Join us!
Julia Tunstall
Julia Tunstall is the co-founder of A Bar Above, CEO, & Chief Cocktail Taster. She’s in charge of managing our small but mighty team, helping with operations, and keeping things running smoothly around here.
