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Southern Comfort Manhattan

This twist on the classic Manhattan swaps in Southern Comfort liqueur for the traditional sweet vermouth, creating a drink that's smoother, slightly spicier, and infinitely more approachable for anyone who loves bourbon cocktails without the sharp edges.
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Total Time 2 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Course: Drinks and Beverages
Cuisine: American
Calories: 165
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1.5 ounces 45ml bourbon whiskey
  • 0.5 ounce 15ml Southern Comfort liqueur
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 5 to 6 ice cubes for stirring plus 1 large cube or 2 medium cubes for serving
  • 1 maraschino or luxardo cherry for garnish
  • Orange peel for garnish optional but recommended

Equipment

  • Cocktail mixing glass or standard drinking glass
  • Cocktail jigger (1.5 oz and 0.5 oz measurements)
  • Mixing spoon or bar spoon
  • Strainer (preferably Hawthorne strainer)
  • Coupe glass or rocks glass
  • Cutting board for citrus
  • Channel knife or vegetable peeler for garnish

Method
 

  1. Fill your coupe or rocks glass with ice cubes and add cold water if you have it. Let the glass sit for one minute while you prepare the cocktail so it's perfectly chilled.
  2. Pour 1.5 ounces of bourbon whiskey into your jigger, then transfer it to a mixing glass filled with 5 to 6 fresh ice cubes.
  3. Measure 0.5 ounce of Southern Comfort liqueur and add it to the mixing glass.
  4. Add exactly 2 dashes of Angostura bitters to your mixing glass.
  5. Using your bar spoon, stir the mixture for about 15 to 20 seconds with steady, smooth motions.
  6. Empty the prepared glass of its chilling ice and water. Using your strainer, pour the cocktail from the mixing glass into your now-chilled coupe or rocks glass, leaving the ice and sediment behind.
  7. Add one large ice cube or two medium cubes to your glass if serving on the rocks.
  8. Place one maraschino or luxardo cherry on the rim or at the bottom of your glass. For extra flair, express an orange peel by twisting it over the drink to release the oils, then drop it in or lay it across the rim.

Notes

Use bourbon you'd drink neat. If the whiskey tastes good on its own, it tastes good in your cocktail. Store your bottles upright in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. Stir, never shake, a Manhattan. Shaking introduces too much air and ice shards that make the drink cloudy and overly diluted. Make your drink immediately before serving rather than batch-making ahead of time. Cocktails taste best when fresh.