Añejo Manhattan

Añejo Manhattan

The añejo Manhattan swaps whiskey for aged tequila and keeps everything else that makes a Manhattan great: sweet vermouth, a couple dashes of bitters, and a cherry. SWOL Añejo spends months in oak, so it slots into the classic template with vanilla and spice while adding a soft agave roundness. It is stirred until silky, strained up, and garnished with a brandied cherry or a flamed orange peel. If you love a Manhattan but want something a little smoother and more aromatic, this is your pour, and it is the canonical stirred añejo cocktail in the SWOL lineup.

INGREDIENTS
  • 2 oz SWOL Añejo Tequila, the aged, oaky base that replaces whiskey.
  • 1 oz sweet vermouth, for the rich, wine-based backbone; keep it refrigerated once opened.
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters, for classic spice and balance.
  • Brandied cherry or flamed orange peel, for garnish; the cherry leans sweet, the peel leans aromatic.
  • Ice, for stirring.
HOW TO PREPARE
  1. Add the Añejo, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters to a mixing glass with ice.
  2. Stir 20 to 30 seconds until well chilled and properly diluted.
  3. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
  4. Garnish with a brandied cherry or a flamed orange peel.
Style of Glass to use
  • Martini Glass
Garnishes
  • Cherry

Why añejo tequila works in a Manhattan?

A Manhattan depends on a barrel-aged spirit to stand up to sweet vermouth. Añejo tequila is aged in oak like whiskey, so it brings the vanilla, caramel, and spice the drink needs, then layers in cooked-agave sweetness that makes it distinctly its own. It is the smoothest way to put a Mexican spin on the classic.

The ratio and choosing your vermouth

A 2-to-1 tequila-to-sweet-vermouth ratio is the classic balance; go 2.5-to-1 for a drier, more spirit-forward drink. Vermouth is a fortified wine and oxidizes, so buy a smaller bottle, keep it in the fridge, and use it within a month or two for the freshest flavor.

Stir, do not shake

A Manhattan is all-spirit, so it is stirred to stay clear and silky. Shaking would cloud it and add unwanted bubbles. Twenty to thirty seconds of stirring chills the drink and adds the right amount of dilution to soften the tequila.

Variations and a flavored sibling

For a Perfect Añejo Manhattan, split the vermouth into half sweet and half dry. Prefer a dessert angle? Try our Pecan Pie Manhattan, which builds a pecan-pie flavor on the same tequila Manhattan template. To batch, scale the tequila, vermouth, and bitters, add about 0.5 oz water per serving, chill, and strain to order.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an añejo Manhattan?

It is a Manhattan made with añejo tequila instead of whiskey, mixed with sweet vermouth and bitters, stirred and served up with a cherry.

Can you make a Manhattan with tequila?

Yes. Añejo tequila is barrel-aged like whiskey, so it works in the classic Manhattan template while adding an agave character.

What is the ratio of tequila to vermouth?

A classic 2-to-1 ratio of añejo to sweet vermouth. Use 2.5-to-1 for a drier drink.

Should a Manhattan be shaken or stirred?

Stirred. It keeps the all-spirit drink clear and silky rather than cloudy.

How should I store sweet vermouth?

In the refrigerator after opening, and use it within a month or two, since it is a wine and goes flat over time.

What glass and garnish should I use?

Serve up in a chilled coupe or martini glass with a brandied cherry or a flamed orange peel.

How is this different from a whiskey Manhattan?

Same structure, smoother and more aromatic, with cooked-agave and oak notes from the añejo instead of grain-whiskey character.

Añejo Manhattan TIPS

Stir Slow & Garnish Bold

Stir gently but thoroughly with large ice cubes for about 30 seconds to achieve a crystal-clear, perfectly chilled cocktail without over-diluting. For an aromatic boost, flame the orange peel over the glass to release fragrant oils before dropping it in. A luxurious brandied cherry adds a rich, sweet contrast that complements the añejo’s complexity beautifully.

MADE WITH

SWOL Anejo Tequila Limited Release (750Ml)

750 ML

$124.99

SWOL Anejo Tequila Limited Release is an extremely limited edition; a special release of just 10,000 bottles. Each hand-numbered bottle has a peel-off iron patch which is designed by Los Angeles-based artist Rise Work.

Combining ancient and modern techniques and a deep love and passion for Authentic Tequila, SWOL Tequila comes from Mexico. When two friends journeyed to Mexico...

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