This Maple Manhattan recipe is a simple holiday twist on the cocktail classic

The definition of a good holiday cocktail surely differs person to person, but there’s something to be appreciated in a simple, no-frills recipe. A subtle twist on a cocktail classic, this Maple Manhattan has all the sweetness you could want out of a Christmastime cocktail, balancing spiced bourbon and rich maple syrup.

Traditional recipes for Manhattan cocktails call for rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters stirred and strained into a cocktail glass, garnished with a maraschino cherry. Variations often substitute different whiskey types or use different liquors altogether. This holiday twist, made by The Drawing Room bar at the art deco Shelborne South Beach hotel in Miami, calls for bourbon, dry vermouth and a touch of maple syrup shaken to lift your holiday spirits.

How to make a Maple Manhattan cocktail

Combine the bourbon, vermouth and bitters into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake to combine. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with two maraschino cherries.

This story was originally published December 20, 2022 at 6:00 AM.