Black Manhattan Drink Guide: Recipe & the Best Bourbon to Use

The Black Manhattan is what happens when a classic leans darker. It respects the structure of the original Manhattan but trades sweetness for depth, replacing sweet vermouth with amaro. The result is richer, more layered, and built for slow pours and unhurried conversation.

In this guide, we break down what sets the Black Manhattan apart, share a straightforward recipe, and explain why a well-balanced bourbon like Green River is the right foundation for getting it right.

What Is a Black Manhattan?

At its core, the Black Manhattan follows the same framework as a traditional Manhattan: whiskey, a modifier, and bitters. The difference is the modifier.

Instead of sweet vermouth, the Black Manhattan uses amaro, most commonly Averna or a similar style. That single substitution changes the entire character of the drink. Where sweet vermouth is wine-driven and softly sweet, amaro brings darker notes of cocoa, molasses, herbs, and warm spice.

The result is a cocktail that feels heavier, richer, and more contemplative. If you enjoy Manhattans or Old Fashioneds, the Black Manhattan is a natural next step. Familiar in structure, deeper in flavor. 

Black Manhattan vs Classic Manhattan

The distinction between the two drinks is simple but meaningful.

A classic Manhattan relies on sweet vermouth for softness and sweetness. The Black Manhattan replaces that sweetness with bitterness and herbal complexity from amaro, creating a drink that is more structured and more assertive without losing balance.

Both versions use bitters, but Black Manhattans often lean into aromatic bitters, sometimes with an added dash of orange or chocolate bitters to echo the amaro’s darker profile.

Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon is an ideal foundation for the Black Manhattan. Its balance of caramel, vanilla, and oak provides warmth and structure without excess sweetness, allowing the amaro’s bitterness to come through clearly while keeping the cocktail integrated from first sip to finish.

Black Manhattan Ingredients: What You’ll Need 

To make a proper Black Manhattan, gather the following:

• 2 oz Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• 1 oz amaro (Averna or similar)
• 1–2 dashes aromatic bitters
• Optional: 1 dash orange or chocolate bitters
• Garnish: brandy cherry or orange twist

Amaro note:
Different amaros will shift the flavor profile. A balanced, mid-sweet amaro is the best place to start before exploring more aggressive styles.

Preparation tips:

• Use dense, clear ice for controlled dilution
• Chill your glass ahead of time
• Serve in a coupe or Nick & Nora glass for a clean, refined presentation

How to Make a Black Manhattan, Step-by-Step

This is a stirred cocktail. Precision matters.

1. Chill your glass
   Place a coupe or Nick & Nora glass in the freezer while you prepare the drink.
2. Build in a mixing glass
   Add Green River Bourbon, amaro, and bitters.
3. Stir
   Fill with ice and stir for 20–25 seconds. The goal is full integration and proper dilution. The mixing glass should feel very cold to the touch.
4. Strain
   Discard the ice from your chilled glass and strain the cocktail in. The pour should be smooth and dark.
5. Garnish with purpose
   Add a brandy cherry or express an orange peel over the surface to lift the aroma.

Helpful tip:
Taste before serving. If the drink feels too intense, add a small splash of water, stir again, and rebalance. A Black Manhattan should be bold, not overwhelming.

Why Green River Is the Best Bourbon for a Black Manhattan

The Black Manhattan demands a bourbon with structure. If the base spirit is thin or overly hot, the amaro will dominate and the drink will lose cohesion.

Green River Distilling Co. Kentucky Straight Bourbon brings the right balance to the glass. Notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak add warmth and depth that counter the herbal bitterness of the amaro without masking it.

Distilled in Owensboro under the historic DSP-KY-10 license, Green River is crafted with integration in mind. It anchors the cocktail, allowing each ingredient to show up clearly while keeping the drink composed and complete.

This is not about overpowering the amaro. It is about giving it something solid to stand on.

Your Next Signature Cocktail Starts with a Black Manhattan

The Black Manhattan proves that complexity does not require complication. Three core ingredients, the right ratios, and a quality bourbon are all it takes.

If you are looking for a cocktail that feels familiar but offers something deeper, this is it. Built properly, the Black Manhattan becomes a signature. Quietly confident, balanced, and memorable.

Start with the right bourbon. Let the rest fall into place.