Manhattan Transfer

The Manhattan Transfer is a contemporary riff on the timeless Manhattan cocktail. It substitutes the traditional sweet vermouth with Amaro Ramazzotti, an Italian digestif known for its notes of orange peel, cardamom, and cinnamon. This change introduces a deeper, more complex bitterness and a bouquet of herbal and spice notes, creating a wonderfully balanced and aromatic drink for those who appreciate a bittersweet profile.
Manhattan Transfer

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Manhattan Transfer is classified as a classic cocktail. It is a modern variation of the original Manhattan, placing it firmly in the category of stirred, spirit-forward drinks often enjoyed as an aperitif or digestif.

Serving

Served 'up' (chilled, without ice) in a pre-chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass, this is a potent, spirit-forward drink best sipped slowly.
Serving size
Approximately 95 ml / 3.25 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 30-35% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe or Nick & Nora
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

This cocktail is a modern creation, emerging from the craft cocktail revival of the 21st century as bartenders explored variations of classic recipes. The name "Manhattan Transfer" is a clever nod to its base cocktail, the Manhattan, suggesting a journey to a different flavor destination. It showcases the versatility of amari in replacing traditional modifiers like vermouth.
Origin
United States, likely emerging in the early 2000s from the craft cocktail movement. It's a direct descendant of the Manhattan, which dates back to the late 19th century.

Manhattan Transfer

The drink is most commonly known as the Manhattan Transfer. Sometimes, it might be referred to as a Ramazzotti Manhattan to highlight the specific amaro used, distinguishing it from other Manhattan variations.
Original name
Manhattan Transfer
Alternative name
Ramazzotti Manhattan

Characteristics overview

This drink has a rich, silky texture with a deep reddish-brown hue. Its flavor is a complex interplay of rye spice and the bittersweet, herbal notes of Ramazzotti, leaving a long, warming aftertaste.
Flavor
Bittersweet, herbal, spicy, orange peel, rye spice, cola
Aroma
Aromatic, citrus, cinnamon, cardamom, rye
Taste balance
Bitter, sweet
Aftertaste
Long, warming, herbal, pleasantly bitter
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Deep reddish-brown, clear
Texture
Silky, smooth, rich
Seasonality
Warming, year-round, particularly suited for autumn and winter

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor profile is dominated by a pleasant bitterness from the amaro and the strength of the rye whiskey. It has a moderate sweetness and spiciness, with very little fruitiness or sourness.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You'll need three core ingredients for this cocktail: rye whiskey, Amaro Ramazzotti, and Angostura bitters. Quality ingredients are important for this spirit-forward drink.
  • Rye Whiskey60 ml / 2 oz
    A good quality, higher-proof (e.g., 100 proof / 50% ABV) rye works best to stand up to the amaro.
  • Amaro Ramazzotti22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    This specific amaro is key to the drink's profile. Do not substitute with other amari if you want the authentic taste.
  • Angostura Aromatic Bitters2 dashes
    Essential for adding aromatic complexity and binding the flavors together.

Ice type

  • Cubed (for stirring)

Mixing equipments

This is a stirred drink, so you will need a mixing glass, a bar spoon, a jigger for measuring, and a strainer.
  • Mixing glass for chilling and diluting the ingredients.
  • Bar spoon for stirring the cocktail.
  • Jigger or measuring tool for accurate pours.
  • Strainer (Julep or Hawthorne) to hold back the ice when pouring.

Instructions

To make this drink, you'll stir all liquid ingredients with ice in a mixing glass, then strain it into a chilled coupe. Garnish with an expressed lemon peel to finish.
1. Chill your serving glass (coupe or Nick & Nora) by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
2. Combine the rye whiskey, Amaro Ramazzotti, and Angostura bitters in a mixing glass.
3. Fill the mixing glass two-thirds full with fresh, cold ice cubes.
4. Stir continuously with a bar spoon for 20-30 seconds until the outside of the mixing glass is well-chilled and frosted.
5. Discard the ice from your serving glass.
6. Strain the contents of the mixing glass into the chilled serving glass.
7. Cut a fresh swath of lemon peel. Hold it peel-side down over the drink and twist it to express the citrus oils onto the surface.
8. Drop the lemon twist into the glass as a garnish and serve immediately.

Garnishing

A simple lemon twist provides the perfect garnish, with its bright citrus oils complementing the drink's complex herbal and spice notes.
  • Lemon Twist - Express the oils from a fresh lemon peel over the drink's surface before dropping it in.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is vegan and free from dairy, eggs, and nuts. However, it is not gluten-free due to the rye whiskey base.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✕ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a spirit-forward cocktail, so most of its calories come from alcohol. The carbohydrate and sugar content comes primarily from the Amaro Ramazzotti.
Calories
Averagely 200-220 kcal / 837-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 8-10 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 8-10 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfect for a sophisticated cocktail hour or as a contemplative after-dinner digestif. Its warming and complex character also makes it an excellent nightcap, especially on a cool evening.
  • Cocktail Hour
  • After-Dinner Drink
  • Sophisticated Gatherings
  • Nightcap

Pairing suggestions

The bittersweet and herbal notes of the Manhattan Transfer pair wonderfully with rich and savory foods. Consider serving it alongside a plate of charcuterie, aged hard cheeses, or a piece of high-quality dark chocolate to complement its complexity.
  • Dark Chocolate
  • Hard Cheeses (e.g., Parmesan, Pecorino)
  • Charcuterie
  • Candied Orange Peel

The Manhattan Transfer: A Journey in Flavor

The Manhattan Transfer is an elegant and flavorful variation of a beloved classic. By swapping sweet vermouth for Amaro Ramazzotti, it achieves a unique profile that is both bitter and sweet, with distinct notes of orange, cola, and warm spices. It's a perfect sipper for those who enjoy spirit-forward, complex cocktails and serves as an excellent introduction to the world of amari. Easy to make yet sophisticated in taste, it's a worthy addition to any home bartender's repertoire.

Similar Cocktails

Manhattan

The classic original. Uses sweet vermouth instead of Amaro Ramazzotti and typically a cherry garnish.

Black Manhattan

Uses a different amaro, typically Amaro Averna, which gives it a darker color and notes of licorice and caramel.

Rob Roy

The Scotch whisky version of a Manhattan, using Scotch instead of rye or bourbon.

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