Two really old classic whiskey cocktails with only a few subtle differences setting them apart, here's what you need to know...

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Manhattan's and Old Fashineds are absolute classics.

They're in bars everywhere, can easily be made at home, and are great to experiment with as an introduction to making homemade drinks.

It's not hard to see why they've become legendary, but what makes them different?

The different ingredients for a Manhattan and Old Fashioned

Both the Manhattan and Old Fashioned are made with a base of whiskey and a few dashes of cocktail bitters, the difference is that a Manhattan is sweetened with vermouth and an Old Fashioned is sweetened with sugar (or simple syrup).

Manhattan: whiskey, bitters, and sweet vermouth
Old Fashioned: whiskey, bitters, and simple syrup

Both cocktails can be made with either bourbon or rye whiskey, but more often a Manhattan is made with rye, and an Old Fashioned is made with bourbon.

Are Manhattans or Old Fashioneds stronger?

In terms of alcohol content there is the same amount (2 ounces) of whiskey in both a Manhattan and an Old Fashioned.

However, an Old Fashioned may taste stronger because of its more whiskey forward recipe.

Straining an Old Fashioned in a mixing glass

How they are served: Manhattan vs. Old Fashioned

Most of the time an Old Fashioned is served over a cube of ice in a rocks glass (aka Old Fashioned glass), and a Manhattan is served "up" in a cocktail glass.

But just like some people might prefer whiskey "up" instead of "on the rocks", it wouldn't be too unusual to have your Manhattan over ice for a little extra dilution.

THe garnish

The Manhattan and Old Fashioned are both usually garnished with some orange zest and a cocktail cherry.

An Old Fashioned can sometimes be garnished with a piece of lemon zest (or both orange and lemon), but you probably won't see any lemon in a Manhattan.

squeezing an orange peel over an old fashioned

Comparing the taste of an Old Fashioned and a Manhattan

Both cocktails are bold and whiskey forward with a mellow sweetness, hints of orange, and subtle background of cocktail bitters. The difference is that the Manhattan has slight notes of dried fruits and spices from vermouth, while the Old Fashioned has a more simple and straightforward whiskey flavor.

The pure sweetness of simple syrup doesn't add much flavor making an Old Fashioned a great introduction to sipping whiskey on the rocks.

is a manhattan or old fashioned sweeter?

A Manhattan and Old Fashioned are quite similar in terms of sweetness with just a little bit to round off the whiskey.

The sweetness can easily be adjusted in either drink by the amount (or type) of vermouth in your Manhattan, or the amount of sugar in the case of the Old Fashioned.

which cocktail is older?

The Old Fashioned is older than the Manhattan and is often noted as the first ever cocktail with forms of it appearing as early as 1806, even though it wasn't named an Old Fashioned for sometime after that.

The Manhattan cocktail didn't appear until sometime around the early 1880's when vermouth became a popular cocktail ingredient.

Is an Old Fashioned or Manhattan better?

There's no way to say if one cocktail is better than the other. They are both delicious in their own way and which one is better is only a matter of preference.

They are both delicious and here to stay.

Try these too!

You can also make a rum Old Fashioned

Or try the Black Manhattan with Amaro

Make your Old Fashioned with Demerara Syrup

The Improved Whiskey Cocktail is a unique Old Fashioned

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