How to make a Manhattan with rye whisky essence

April 17, 2025

The Manhattan is about as simple as a proper cocktail gets, which is really just rye and sweet vermouth with bitters to tie them together, and because there's so little in it the whisky is most of what you taste, so it's a good drink to make with a rye you've flavoured yourself.

The rye first

The Still Spirits Rye Whisky essence goes into a clean neutral spirit and gives it the spicy, slightly dry character rye is known for, which is what stops a Manhattan tasting like cordial once the vermouth goes in. The dose is printed on the bottle, so follow that. Then give it a few days to settle, because the flavour rounds out a bit after mixing.

One thing worth knowing before you start, because it trips people up. Mixing an essence into a neutral spirit you've bought isn't distilling and doesn't need a licence. Distilling that base spirit yourself does, though, and it's an excise manufacturer licence from the ATO even if you never sell a drop.

How I'd make it

60ml rye whisky. The one you've made up from the essence.
30ml sweet vermouth. The red one, and it keeps far better in the fridge once it's open.
2 dashes of aromatic bitters. They're what ties it together, so don't skip them.
Ice, and a cherry or a strip of orange peel. Whichever you prefer.

Put everything into a glass jug or a mixing glass full of ice and stir it for about 30 seconds. Strain it into a chilled glass to serve. It's stirred rather than shaken because shaking clouds it and waters it down, and a Manhattan is meant to be clear and silky.

If it's not quite right

Too sweet usually means too much vermouth, so try it at 2 and a half to 1 before you change anything else. Too harsh usually means the whisky hasn't had long enough to settle after the essence went in. And if you'd like it with more wood in it, an oak soaker in the spirit for a while before you mix gives it a bit of barrel character without the barrel.

Shop related products

Still Spirits Rye Whisky 50ML. The rye this drink is built on.
Still Spirits Top Shelf Whiskey Essence 50ml. A rounder whisky if rye's too spicy for you.
Still Spirits Shamrock Whiskey 50ML. An Irish style, for a softer Manhattan.
Still Spirits Universal Z Carbon. For cleaning up a spirit before it's flavoured.

Did you know we also keep Sam Willards Oak Soakers in whiskey and bourbon in the shop, along with 1125ml spirit bottles by the each or the carton of 12. They're not on the website, so give us a ring on (08) 8536 4333 to check what's on the shelf.