Skip to Content

Brandied Chocolate Manhattan – A Whiskey Cocktail

Share this...

Last Updated on June 11, 2023 by Leah Hall

A chocolate version of a classic Manhattan recipe with our brandied cherries.

 

We always are fans of the classic cocktails, and the classic Manhattan was invented in the 1870s at the Manhattan Club in New York. This chocolate Manhattan is typical of the cocktails from this period that were plenty boozy and not overly sweet.

Cocktail being poured into coupe from mixing glass

This post contains affiliate links for products that we think you as readers might find useful, and we make commission off of these! For more details about our affiliates, click our Disclosure and Contacts Page.

Cocktail being poured into coupe from mixing glass

Manhattan Cocktail

Typically made with an American whiskey and Italian vermouth with a splash of bitters, the Manhattan is one of those drinks your grandfather grew up drinking. There are a couple of variations that use different alcohols as the base, one of which is the Brandy Manhattan.

 

Typically found up in the bars of the lake country of Wisconsin and Minnesota, the Brandy Manhattan is a sweeter version that cuts out the whiskey making the drink a fruitier version of the classic cocktail.

Chocolate Manhattan in a coupe, cherry on pick

Jay tried one of the “North Woods” Manhattans but missed the bite of the whiskey. He did enjoy the additional fruitiness the brandy brought to the drink and wondered what might happen if we combined the brandy and the whiskey into a Manhattan.

cocktail in coupe, cherry on pick, mixing glass behind

We often use our friends as guinea pigs for recipe testing and Jay tried a variation a few months ago that added honey brandy to the mix. This then got a favorable reaction from most of them, so we knew we were on the right path, and it felt like it was missing something. We tried on and off again over the last few months and didn’t quite hit on the perfect combination (hard to believe, but we do have lots of misses that we don’t share with you!)

We added the chocolate bitters to our classic Manhattan recipe and addition of the dark chocolate just the right amount of rich deep sweetness to make the drink come alive.

Chocolate Manhattan in a coupe, cherry on pick

What Kind of Cherries to use in a Manhattan?

Combining the sweet vermouth and brandied cherries with the awesome single malt whiskey and the rich deep chocolate flavor from the bitters takes this twist on a classic cocktail and makes it a real winner! Mix in a mixing glass with a bar spoon. The cherries to use are Luxardo made with sour Marasca cherries, not the bright red cherries you find at the supermarket!

hand holding cocktail in coupe, cherry on pick

Cheers!

 

Also, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and tag #gastronomcocktails so we can see all the wonderful recipes YOU recreate from this site!

 

You can also subscribe to our newsletter so you never miss a delicious recipe again!

 

Like this recipe? Try these below, too!

The Smoked Cherry Cocktail

 

Brandy and Blackberry Lavender Shrub CocktailBrandy and Blackberry Lavender Shrub Cocktail

Other Chocolate Cherry Cocktails

Cocktail being poured into coupe from mixing glass
Yield: 1

Brandied Chocolate Manhattan - A Whiskey Cocktail

Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes

A chocolate kissed version of a classic Manhattan recipe! Cheers to this chocolate Manhattan.

Ingredients

Chocolate Brandied Manhattan

  • 1.75 ounces whiskey
  • 1 ounce sweet vermouth
  • .75 ounce brandy
  • 3 dashes chocolate bitters
  • 2 brandied cherries

Instructions

Add ice into a mixing glass and add whiskey.brandy, vermouth and chocolate bitters.

Stir. Place one brandied cherry into the bottom of a coupe or martini glass.

Strain into the glass and garnish with the other cherry.

Cheers!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 202Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0.9gFiber: 0gSugar: 0.1gProtein: 0g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Interested in stocking your own home bar? Make sure to see our favorites at our Amazon Store!

 

If you liked this post, don’t forget to subscribe for new (and of course free) recipes by entering your email address on the side bar (and get all the recipes delivered to your inbox when we post), so you don’t miss out on a thing. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

 

Gastronomblog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Share this...

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Marissa @ OMG FOOD

Friday 31st of July 2015

I love a good cocktail. I've never had chocolate coffee bitters! Might have to add that to my list. Thanks for sharing!

The 'Noms.

Friday 31st of July 2015

Thanks! Hope you get to try it!

Pam Greer

Tuesday 28th of July 2015

I would love it if you would link this up to Tipsy Tuesday at Grey is the New Black - my weekly cocktail linkup!

Pam Greer

Monday 27th of July 2015

Chocolate coffee bitters!!!

The 'Noms.

Friday 31st of July 2015

They are pretty amazing!

Becky Winkler (A Calculated Whisk)

Saturday 25th of July 2015

Um, yes please! This sounds epic.

The 'Noms.

Friday 31st of July 2015

Thanks, it was pretty amazing!

Steph @ Steph in Thyme

Saturday 25th of July 2015

I haven't had a Manhattan in such a long time, this version with chocolate and brandied cherries sounds divine!

The 'Noms.

Saturday 25th of July 2015

We sometimes forget to hit classics like the Manhattan, but when we find them again we always love them!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Skip to Recipe