From Sparrow’s cocktail list, the Black Manhattan is a classic reimagined, swapping sweet vermouth for amaro to go deeper, darker, and more complex ($18).
About Black Manhattan
The Black Manhattan is a classic cocktail reimagined. Where the traditional Manhattan calls for sweet vermouth, the Black Manhattan swaps in amaro, the Italian family of bittersweet, herb-forward liqueurs, for something deeper, darker, and more complex. Sparrow’s version is built on Doc Swinsons Session Bourbon, a Washington-finished, high-rye bourbon crafted for mixing, alongside a house amaro blend and Angostura bitters to tie it all together. The Manhattan has been one of America’s great cocktails since the 1880s, and replacing the vermouth with amaro shifts the drink toward something more herbal, more bitter, and more layered, a spirit-forward pour that rewards slow sipping.
The Recipe
- 2 oz Doc Swinsons Session Bourbon
- 1 oz Amaro blend
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
Stir over ice until well chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. Garnish with a cocktail cherry. Doc Swinsons Session Bourbon is a blend of two high-rye Indiana bourbons, both aged a minimum of five years, finished in Washington State. It brings notes of dark cherry, rye spice, and warm vanilla oak, making it a favorite behind the Sparrow bar.
Tasting Notes
Deep and brooding. Dark cherry, ripe plum, and caramel lead from the bourbon. A herbal, pleasantly bitter middle from the amaro blend. Angostura bitters weave everything together with spice and a subtle citrus-peel finish. Long, warming, and complex, served stirred and up.
What to Pair It With
Order this with Sparrow’s richest, most savory dishes from the dinner menu. The cocktail’s bitter herbal backbone cuts through fat and char beautifully, so try it alongside the American Wagyu steaks, the Braised Duck, or the Lamb Quesa-Birria Tacos.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Black Manhattan?
A Black Manhattan is a Manhattan that replaces sweet vermouth with amaro. Sparrow builds ours with Doc Swinsons Session Bourbon, a house amaro blend, and Angostura bitters, stirred and served up.
How much is the Black Manhattan at Sparrow?
It is $18 at Sparrow in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood on the Eastside.
Find it on the Sparrow beverages menu near the Passerella and the Last Light. We are in Kirkland on the Eastside, so reserve a table and come taste it.