Rum Manhattan Recipe

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Dark rum brings a layer of spicy atmosphere to the Manhattan, a late–19th century classic.

There are quite a few Manhattans floating around out there. Before you rush out your front door and look up, expecting to see the sky filled with an infinite number of floating metropolises from parallel dimensions, fear not… I’m talking about the cocktail.

The original recipe, which calls for rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and a few dashes of bitters, has an apocryphal history. On December 29th in 1874, the Manhattan Club in New York City threw a lavish party for then–presidential candidate Samuel J. Tilden. The host of this soiree was a woman named Jennie Jerome, a.k.a. Lady Randolph Churchill, the mother of Winston. While the party was thrown for Mr. Tilden, a fellow named Iain Marshall invented a cocktail for the banquet in Lady Churchill’s honor. This drink was a huge hit with the guests, and its reputation spread outside of the event. People would ask for it by calling it the Manhattan, referencing both the club and city it was created in.

It’s a good story and one that has endured for decades as the definitive origin for the Manhattan cocktail. But there’s a slight snag… the facts don’t actually support the tale.

It turns out that Jennie Jerome, Lady Churchill, had given birth to Winston just a month prior, on November 30th, and probably wouldn’t have been in any condition to travel at that time. It’s also known that the future prime minister was christened on December 27th in Blenheim, just two days before the party mentioned earlier, so she still would have been in England.

When it comes to who invented the Rum Manhattan, there are no claims or stories I could find. Heck, any of us can dream up some wild anecdote about a night out being chased by pirates or genetically engineered coconuts, and that inspired us to add rum instead of whiskey. But until somebody comes forward with an actual claim, we’ll just have to let our imaginations answer that question.

What is the Best Rum to Use in a Rum Manhattan?

There are a few different types of rum in the world—white, gold, dark, coconut, coffee (though those last two are technically liqueurs)—and if you feel that you prefer one style over the other, definitely add that to your Rum Manhattan. When making your first glass of this drink, however, I do suggest opting for a dark version. This spirit mimics the spice of the original’s rye while bringing its own tropical notes. These flavors also balance perfectly with the sweet vermouth.

What kind of glass and garnish is best for a Rum Manhattan?

Since Manhattans are traditionally served “up”, no ice, in a coupe and garnished with a cherry, this cocktail should be enjoyed the same way. Some folks enjoy theirs in a rocks glass over a single, large ice cube.

Can you shake a Rum Manhattan?

No. One of the attractive things about any Manhattan is the way it looks. Shaking one will create a cloudy and murky-looking mixture, along with diluting its potency.

Rum Manhattan Variations

Manhattans, Manhattans everywhere. Which means there’s plenty to drink. If the Rum Manhattan has sparked your tongue’s interest in trying more styles of this elegant and sophisticated tipple, let Twist & Toast (and me) be your guide to discovering more versions of this legendary beverage. Try a few of the recipes below, then explore the site for even more delicious surprises.

• Bourbon Manhattan – Kentucky tradition meets the Big Apple in this smoky and smooth dram.
• Manhattan – This classic recipe is a must for your repertoire, and a perfect springboard for trying other versions.
• Tequila Manhattan – Give your tipple a peppery Southwestern flavor by using tequila as the base spirit.
• Vermouth Cocktail – Sweet vermouth takes center stage in this fascinating and complex-tasting recipe.