manhattan cherry shrub
Bourbon Manhattan Cherry Shrub: A Modern Tart Twist
The Bourbon Manhattan Cherry Shrub is a modern creation that takes the classic Manhattan and adds cherry shrub for extra complexity. Shrubs are drinking vinegars made from fruit, sugar, and vinegar that were popular in colonial America and have made a comeback in craft cocktail culture over the past decade.
This variation was featured by Hungry Couple NYC in 2016 as a homemade experiment with cherry shrub. It's an example of how home bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts have been experimenting with shrubs as they became trendy again. The idea is simple: add homemade or store-bought cherry shrub to a Manhattan for tart, fruity notes that complement the sweet vermouth and whiskey.
The cherry shrub brings acidity and fruit flavor without the heaviness of liqueurs or syrups. The vinegar component might sound strange, but it adds brightness that cuts through the richness of vermouth and bourbon, creating better balance than a standard Manhattan.
Making the drink requires either buying pre-made cherry shrub or making your own by combining cherries, sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Once you have the shrub, the cocktail comes together like a regular Manhattan with an extra ingredient added.
This modern riff appeals to people who like the Manhattan but want something with more fruit character and acidity. It's tangier and more complex than the original, though purists might argue it strays too far from what makes a Manhattan great.
RECIPE:
2 oz bourbon
¾ oz sweet vermouth
½ oz cherry shrub
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Garnish: cherry
Method:
Combine bourbon, vermouth, cherry shrub, and bitters in a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir for 30 seconds until cold.
3. Strain into a rocks glass and garnish with a cherry.