Few cocktails are as timeless as the Manhattan. Strong, elegant, and built to sip slowly, it has been a favorite for over a century. But what happens when you add coffee liqueur? You get the Espresso-Infused Black Manhattan—a darker, moodier version of the classic that feels familiar but completely new.
The Espresso Martini may have made coffee cocktails famous again, but this twist proves that coffee liqueur belongs just as much in stirred whiskey classics as it does in shaken vodka ones.
Espresso-Infused Black Manhattan Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Mario’s Hard Espresso (our craft coffee liqueur)
- 1.5 oz rye whiskey
- 1 dash orange bitters
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- 1/2 teaspoon of juice from Luxardo cherry jar
Directions:
- Stir over ice to chill.
- Strain into a coupe glass.
- Garnish with a Luxardo cherry.
Why Coffee Liqueur Belongs in a Manhattan
The Manhattan is traditionally whiskey, vermouth, and bitters. Swapping in coffee liqueur deepens the drink, adding roasted espresso notes that balance the rye’s spice. The Luxardo cherry juice adds a subtle richness, tying everything together into a cocktail that’s smooth, dark, and layered.
Espresso Martini vs. Espresso-Infused Black Manhattan
These two cocktails highlight the two sides of coffee liqueur:
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The Espresso Martini is lively, frothy, and often served at the start of the night.
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The Espresso-Infused Black Manhattan is contemplative, stirred, and meant for sipping at the end of the night.
They’re like bookends—one opens the evening with energy, the other closes it with elegance.
When to Drink the Espresso-Infused Black Manhattan
This cocktail belongs at the end of dinner parties, during quiet nights with friends, or whenever you want a whiskey cocktail that feels a little more elevated. It’s a perfect winter drink but works year-round when the mood calls for something deep and smooth.
A Classic Cocktail, Reimagined
The Espresso Martini may have sparked the coffee cocktail craze, but the Espresso-Infused Black Manhattan proves how timeless the category really is. By bringing espresso notes into a whiskey classic, this cocktail honors tradition while creating something new.
It’s a reminder that coffee liqueur isn’t just an add-on—it’s a backbone. And in this drink, it makes the Manhattan richer than ever.
