✔ Updated · both recipes, taste, strength + a mocktail
The Manhattan and the Old Fashioned are both classic whiskey cocktails with about 2 oz of whiskey each, so they are for adults of legal drinking age only. Here is how they differ, with both recipes and an alcohol-free option.
Both cocktails are built on about 2 oz of whiskey and a few dashes of bitters. A Manhattan adds 1 oz of sweet vermouth, is stirred with ice and strained into a chilled coupe with a cherry. An Old Fashioned adds a little sugar or simple syrup instead, and is served over a large ice cube with an orange peel. The Manhattan is richer and more herbal; the Old Fashioned is drier and lets the whiskey lead.
- Sweetener: Manhattan uses sweet vermouth (a fortified wine); Old Fashioned uses sugar or simple syrup.
- Whiskey: rye is classic in a Manhattan; bourbon or rye in an Old Fashioned.
- Served: Manhattan up in a coupe or martini glass; Old Fashioned on the rocks in a rocks glass.
- Garnish: Manhattan gets a cocktail cherry; Old Fashioned gets an orange peel (sometimes a cherry too).
Manhattan vs Old Fashioned at a Glance
| Manhattan | Old Fashioned | |
|---|---|---|
| Whiskey | 2 oz rye (classic) or bourbon | 2 oz bourbon or rye |
| Sweetener | 1 oz sweet vermouth | 1 sugar cube or 1/4 oz simple syrup |
| Bitters | 2 dashes aromatic bitters | 2–3 dashes aromatic bitters |
| Method | Stirred with ice, strained | Built in the glass and stirred |
| Glass and ice | Chilled coupe or martini glass, no ice | Rocks glass with one large cube |
| Garnish | Cocktail cherry | Orange peel, sometimes a cherry |
| Taste | Rich, smooth, herbal and slightly sweet, with rye spice | Whiskey-forward, lightly sweet, with orange and spice |
| Alcohol | About 2 oz whiskey plus vermouth; roughly 25–30% ABV once stirred | About 2 oz whiskey; roughly 30–35% ABV once stirred, then diluting as the ice melts |
| Calories (approx.) | About 170–190 per drink | About 150–170 per drink |
| Origin | New York, around the 1870s–1880s | The original "whiskey cocktail" of the early 1800s; the name took hold in the late 1800s |
How to Make a Manhattan
Makes 1 drink. Contains alcohol: about 2 oz of whiskey and 1 oz of vermouth.
- Ingredients: 2 oz rye whiskey (or bourbon), 1 oz sweet vermouth, 2 dashes aromatic bitters, 1 cocktail cherry.
- Chill a coupe or martini glass with ice water or in the freezer.
- Stir: add the whiskey, vermouth and bitters to a mixing glass with plenty of ice and stir for 20 to 30 seconds until very cold.
- Strain into the chilled glass and garnish with the cherry. Do not shake; shaking clouds the drink.
How to Make an Old Fashioned
Makes 1 drink. Contains alcohol: about 2 oz of whiskey.
- Ingredients: 2 oz bourbon or rye, 1 sugar cube or 1/4 oz simple syrup, 2–3 dashes aromatic bitters, a splash of water (if using a cube), 1 wide strip of orange peel.
- Dissolve the sugar: in a rocks glass, muddle the sugar cube with the bitters and a splash of water until dissolved, or simply add the syrup and bitters.
- Add the whiskey and one large ice cube, then stir for 15 to 20 seconds.
- Garnish: squeeze the orange peel over the drink to release its oils, rub it on the rim and drop it in.
How They Taste
A Manhattan is silky and rounded. The sweet vermouth adds dark fruit, herbal and wine-like notes, and rye whiskey keeps it from tasting too sweet. It is served cold without ice, so it stays strong to the last sip.
An Old Fashioned tastes more like the whiskey itself, softened by a touch of sugar, warmed by bitters and brightened by orange oil. With bourbon it leans caramel and vanilla; with rye it is spicier. It slowly mellows as the ice melts.
Which Is Stronger?
Both drinks contain about the same amount of whiskey, roughly 2 oz, which is more than one standard drink. The Manhattan has a little more total alcohol because vermouth is a fortified wine, but it is also slightly less concentrated in the glass. In practice, treat both as strong, spirit-forward cocktails and sip slowly.
Popular Variations
- Bourbon Manhattan: bourbon instead of rye for a softer, sweeter drink.
- Perfect Manhattan: 1/2 oz sweet and 1/2 oz dry vermouth, garnished with a lemon twist.
- Black Manhattan: a bittersweet Italian amaro in place of the vermouth.
- Rob Roy: a Manhattan made with Scotch whisky.
- Brandy Old Fashioned: the Wisconsin favorite, with brandy, muddled orange and cherry, topped with soda.
- Rum or mezcal Old Fashioned: the same sugar-and-bitters build with a different aged spirit.
- Out of bitters? See these Angostura bitters substitutes.
Alcohol-Free Option: Manhattan and Old Fashioned Mocktails
For guests who do not drink, or anyone under the legal drinking age, both drinks are easy to make alcohol-free. Note that aromatic bitters contain alcohol, so leave them out or use a non-alcoholic bitters.
Manhattan-style mocktail: stir 2 oz strong black tea (or a non-alcoholic whiskey alternative), 1 oz tart cherry juice, 1/2 oz maple syrup and a squeeze of orange with ice, strain into a coupe and garnish with a cherry. For an Old Fashioned version, try this Old Fashioned mocktail.
Which Should You Order?
- Choose a Manhattan if you like rich, smooth drinks with herbal sweetness, served very cold in a stemmed glass.
- Choose an Old Fashioned if you want to taste the whiskey, prefer a drink on the rocks, or like a hint of orange.
- Food pairing: both suit steak, charcuterie, aged cheese and dark chocolate; the Old Fashioned also works well with barbecue and pecan pie.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Manhattan and an Old Fashioned?
Both start with about 2 oz of whiskey and bitters. A Manhattan adds sweet vermouth, is stirred and strained into a chilled coupe and garnished with a cherry. An Old Fashioned adds sugar or simple syrup and is served over ice with an orange peel. The Manhattan is richer; the Old Fashioned is more whiskey-forward.
Is a Manhattan sweeter than an Old Fashioned?
Usually, yes. The full ounce of sweet vermouth in a Manhattan adds more sweetness and body than the small amount of sugar in an Old Fashioned. The Manhattan's sweetness is herbal and wine-like, while the Old Fashioned tastes drier with a hint of orange.
Can you make a Manhattan or Old Fashioned with bourbon?
Yes. Bourbon is the most common choice for an Old Fashioned and makes a softer, sweeter Manhattan. Rye whiskey is the classic Manhattan whiskey and gives both drinks more spice. Use a whiskey around 90 to 100 proof so it stands up to the other ingredients.
Which has more calories, a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned?
A Manhattan usually has slightly more, about 170 to 190 calories, because sweet vermouth adds sugar and alcohol. An Old Fashioned is about 150 to 170 calories, depending on the whiskey's proof and how much sugar you use. Most of the calories in both come from the alcohol.
Is there a non-alcoholic Manhattan or Old Fashioned?
Yes. Use a non-alcoholic whiskey alternative or strong black tea, swap vermouth for tart cherry juice in a Manhattan, and sweeten with maple or simple syrup. Skip regular aromatic bitters, which contain alcohol, or use a non-alcoholic bitters.
