Non Alcoholic Manhattan – Is It Possible?

Is it possible to create a non-alcoholic version of one of the most classic and booziest cocktails ever made? 

I think it’s possible, but not using juices and syrups like you’d typically see when doing a mocktail version. 

Creating accurate non-alcoholic versions of famous drinks requires specific inventory, similar to what you’d need when making standard cocktails. 

With quality non-alcoholic spirits now available, creating something that is closer to the original is not out of the question.

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What Goes in a Manhattan?

The two leading spirits are whiskey and vermouth, rounded out with a few dashes of bitters, and that’s it. 

One of the reasons that booze-forward drinks like the Manhattan are hard to emulate is that there’s nothing to hide behind. 

The spirits have to stand on their own and have a suitable viscosity and heat, this is where many non-alcoholic versions fall short. 

Choosing the Best Non-Alcoholic Whiskey

With a cocktail like a Manhattan, you need a bit of burn to make it work, so the non-alcoholic alternative needs to capture the sharpness and heat of a rye or bourbon. 

If you’ve done any research about whiskey alternatives, you’ll undoubtedly find unfavorable reviews when it was sipped neat or on rocks. 

However, when used in a cocktail, it’s quite the opposite; many lend best to spirit-forward drinks like a Manhattan. 

Consider options like Monday Zero Alcohol Whiskey, Ritual Zero Proof Whiskey, or Spiritless Kentucky 74 as your alternative spirit. 

Picking The Best Vermouth

Most will agree that Lyre’s Aperitif Rosso is an excellent vermouth substitute, and you should keep the classic 2:1 ratio when preparing your drink. 

How About Bitters?

If you’re not teetotaling, you can go with Angostura Bitters, but if you are entirely abstaining, check out these alcohol-free bitters recommendations. 

What Kind of Glass Does a Manhattan Go In? 

Keep it classy and go with a martini glass or a small coupe, and don’t forget to garnish with a quality maraschino cherry.