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Manhattan vs Brooklyn
Two boroughs, the same rye, and the difference between sweet vermouth and dry with a bitter edge on top.
Which should you make?
The Manhattan is the rounder, sweeter and more forgiving of the two, and the one to make if you are making drinks for other people. The Brooklyn swaps sweet vermouth for dry and adds maraschino and a bitter amaro, which makes it drier, more bitter and considerably more interesting — and much less likely to please everyone. Make the Manhattan for the room and the Brooklyn for yourself.
| Attribute |  Manhattan | Brooklyn Brooklyn |
|---|---|---|
| In a word | off-dry, soft, light — a spirit and modifier drink served straight up, no ice. | off-dry, soft, light — a spirit and modifier drink served straight up, no ice. |
| Structure | Spirit and modifier | Spirit and modifier |
| Family | Manhattan | Manhattan |
| Smells of | Baking spice, Fresh herb | Baking spice, Fresh herb |
| Technique | StirringA heavy, silky, completely clear drink. Alcohol reads more sharply than in the same drink shaken, because nothing has softened it. | StirringA heavy, silky, completely clear drink. Alcohol reads more sharply than in the same drink shaken, because nothing has softened it. |
| Base spirit | whisky | whisky |
| Strength | strong | strong |
| ABV | 30% | 27% |
| Calories | 175 kcal | 180 kcal |
| Sweetness | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Sourness | 0/5 | 0/5 |
| Bitterness | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Prep time | 5 min | 4 min |
| Difficulty | medium | medium |
| Equipment | Mixing glass, Bar spoon, Jigger, Hawthorne strainer | Mixing glass, Bar spoon, Jigger, Hawthorne strainer |
| Occasions | nightcap, dinner, celebration | aperitif, dinner, nightcap |
| Alcohol-free option | No | No |
Choose the Manhattan if you'd rather keep the calories down and you want something more spirit-forward.
Choose the Brooklyn if you want something lighter in alcohol and you want something quick to make.
Can you make both?
Both need: Rye whisky.
- Only the Manhattan
- Sweet vermouth, Angostura bitters
- Only the Brooklyn
- Dry vermouth, Maraschino liqueur, Amaro
What actually separates them
Nothing large enough to call a difference — these two are close relatives, and the choice is down to which bottle is open.
Effectively identical on: sweetness, sourness.