Old Fashioned vs Manhattan: What's the Difference?

Quick Answer

The main difference between an Old Fashioned and a Manhattan is what gets mixed with the whiskey. An Old Fashioned is whiskey (usually bourbon or rye) built on sugar and bitters, served over ice in a rocks glass with an orange twist. A Manhattan is whiskey stirred with sweet vermouth and bitters, served up in a cocktail glass with a cherry. Both start from the same base spirit, but the vermouth in a Manhattan makes it richer and a little sweeter, while the Old Fashioned stays drier and more spirit-forward. If you like tasting the whiskey itself, reach for an Old Fashioned; if you want something smoother and more complex, choose the Manhattan.

Old Fashioned vs Manhattan at a Glance

The Old Fashioned and Manhattan are two classic whiskey cocktails that have been enjoyed for well over a century. Both are simple to make and built on whiskey, but they differ in their ingredients, how they're made and how they taste. Below we compare them side by side, with a recipe for each.

How to Make Each One at Home

Old Fashioned

• 2 oz bourbon or rye
• 1 sugar cube or ¼ oz simple syrup (or ¼ oz Old Fashioned syrup and skip the bitters)
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Orange peel

Muddle the sugar with the bitters and a splash of water (or just add the syrup), add the whiskey and one large ice cube, stir for about 20 seconds and express an orange peel over the top. Our smoked Old Fashioned recipe adds a wood-smoke finish.

Manhattan

• 2 oz rye or bourbon
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Cocktail cherry

Stir everything with ice in a mixing glass for 20–30 seconds, strain into a chilled coupe and drop in a cherry. The home ratio (2:1) is a little more vermouth-forward than the IBA spec above; use 2½:1 if you want it drier. For the smoky version, see our smoked Manhattan recipe.

What Is an Old Fashioned?

An Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail that dates back to the early 19th century, when "cocktail" simply meant spirit, sugar, water and bitters. It is known for its simplicity and for showcasing the whiskey. It's typically garnished with a citrus peel, usually orange, sometimes lemon. The International Bartenders Association still lists it with a sugar cube, Angostura and a splash of water.

For a bold yet smooth flavor, try our Old Fashioned cocktail mixes (they're ours, so we're biased).

What Is a Manhattan?

A Manhattan is a classic cocktail from the late 19th century, often said to have been first made at the Manhattan Club in New York City. It combines whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters, and the vermouth gives it a rich, complex, slightly herbal profile. The IBA spec calls for rye whiskey, sweet red vermouth and a dash of Angostura, stirred and served up with a cherry.

What Are the Main Differences Between a Manhattan and an Old Fashioned?

The main difference is the sweetener. The Old Fashioned uses a sugar cube or simple syrup, muddled with bitters and a splash of water. The Manhattan uses sweet vermouth, a fortified, aromatized wine that adds both sweetness and herbal complexity.

The method and serve differ too. An Old Fashioned is built in the glass and served over a large ice cube, so it slowly changes as it dilutes. A Manhattan is stirred with ice and strained, then served cold with no ice. And the garnish: an orange twist for the Old Fashioned, a cherry for the Manhattan.

What Are the Similarities?

Both cocktails are built on whiskey and both use bitters, which add depth and tie the drink together. The Old Fashioned is most often made with bourbon, while the Manhattan is traditionally made with rye, but either works in both. Bourbon makes them sweeter and rounder; rye makes them spicier and drier. Both also take smoke very well, which you can add with one of our cocktail smokers.

Which Is Stronger, an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan?

They're close. Both use about 2 oz of whiskey. The Manhattan adds an ounce of vermouth, which is much lower in alcohol than whiskey, so the drink is a little bigger and slightly less strong per sip. The Old Fashioned has less added liquid but sits on ice, so it starts strong and softens as the ice melts. In practice, most people find the Old Fashioned tastes "boozier" because there's less to round off the whiskey.

Bourbon or Rye: Which Whiskey for Each?

For an Old Fashioned, bourbon is the most popular choice: its vanilla and caramel work with the sugar and orange. Rye gives a drier, spicier Old Fashioned. For a Manhattan, rye is the classic, because its spice cuts through the sweet vermouth; a bourbon Manhattan is softer and sweeter. If you're picking a bottle, start with our guides to the best whiskey for an Old Fashioned and rye whiskey vs bourbon.

Cousins: Boulevardier and Black Manhattan

If you like the Old Fashioned but want variety, our list of Old Fashioned variations has plenty more.

How to Smoke an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan

Both drinks are natural fits for smoke, because wood smoke amplifies the oak, vanilla and caramel already in the whiskey. For an Old Fashioned, cap the finished drink with a smoke lid and smoke it for 10–15 seconds with oak or cherry chips. For a Manhattan, smoke the chilled coupe or the mixing glass before straining, so the drink stays ice-cold. Cherry wood is especially good with the Manhattan's cherry garnish.

Which One Should You Choose?

It comes down to taste. The Old Fashioned is simpler and more whiskey-forward, a great choice if you enjoy the whiskey itself and like sipping slowly over ice. The Manhattan, with its sweet vermouth, is silkier and more complex, and it's the classic pick for a pre-dinner drink served up. If you're unsure, try both with the same whiskey side by side.

Team Old Fashioned? Our Old Fashioned mix makes the home version quick and consistent, and the Ultimate Old Fashioned Kit adds Amarena-style cherries and dehydrated orange slices for the classic finish.

FAQs

Q: Which is stronger, an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan?

A: They're close, since both use about 2 oz of whiskey. The Manhattan adds an ounce of lower-proof vermouth, so it's slightly less strong per sip, while the Old Fashioned tastes boozier but softens as its ice melts.

Q: Is a Manhattan sweeter than an Old Fashioned?

A: Usually, yes. Sweet vermouth adds sweetness and herbal notes, so a Manhattan tastes richer. An Old Fashioned uses only a little sugar, so it stays drier and more whiskey-forward.

Q: Should a Manhattan be made with bourbon or rye?

A: Rye is the classic choice and gives a spicier, drier Manhattan. Bourbon makes a softer, sweeter version. Both are correct; it depends on your taste.

Q: Can I use a different type of bitters in an Old Fashioned or Manhattan?

A: Yes, you can experiment with different types of bitters to create unique flavor profiles. Some popular options include orange bitters, cherry bitters, and chocolate bitters.

Q: Can I use Scotch whiskey in a Manhattan or Old Fashioned?

A: Yes. A Manhattan made with Scotch is called a Rob Roy. Scotch has a distinct, maltier (and sometimes smoky) profile that changes the character of either drink.

Q: What type of glass should I use for an Old Fashioned?

A: The Old Fashioned is typically served in a rocks glass, while the Manhattan is served in a cocktail glass such as a coupe or martini glass. Learn more about cocktail glassware types.

Q: Can I make these cocktails in advance?

A: Yes. Mix the whiskey with the sugar or syrup (Old Fashioned) or with the vermouth (Manhattan) and bitters, and keep it in the fridge. Add ice, stir and garnish just before serving.

Q: Can I make a non-alcoholic version of these cocktails?

A: Yes. Swap the whiskey for a non-alcoholic whiskey alternative. Our non-alcoholic Old Fashioned and virgin Manhattan show how.