This Old Town Manhattan is a fall-inspired Manhattan-style cocktail made with bourbon and fresh apple spice juice. Cozy, balanced, and perfect for fall entertaining.
And if you don’t have that readily available, mix your whiskey with apple cider to create our Old Town Manhattan cocktail.
Get the recipe down below!
Old Town Manhattan
We stopped at a local business, Juice Nation Press Juicery (now known as Juice Nation), to try some of their juices. We ended up tasting the Blue Lemonade and the Spiced Apple.
The latter was our fav, and so we purchased a bottle, and on my way out of the door, I thought, “This would make an excellent Manhattan.
This is a fall-forward Manhattan-style cocktail, not a traditional build.
What You Will Need:
Apple Spice Pressed Juice. JN Press juices are locally made and bottled, and are also 100% raw organic. The plan is to try all of their flavors, but right now I am really feeling the blend of apple, clove, cinnamon, lemon, rosemary, and eucalyptus. I think this is the perfect Michigan mixer to create our Old Town Manhattan. If you don’t have a local option for pressed juice, you can make your own or use apple cider for this recipe.
Bourbon. And get this, it’s super easy to make, all you will need is JN Press, your favorite Kentucky bourbon, and some crushed ice.
Cinnamon Stick and Pine Needles. The cinnamon stick and pine needles garnish is optional, but don’t they look absolutely smashing, darling?
How To Make An Old Town Manhattan
1 serving
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce McKenna Single Barrel Kentucky Bourbon
- 3 1/2 ounces JN Press Apple Spice {If you don’t have a place to get local juice, you can substitute with apple cider}
- Crushed Ice
- 2–3 dashes of Angostura bitters
- 3 cubes of ice
- Cinnamon Stick
- Pine Needles for garnish. Note: Use food-safe pine (like Eastern White Pine), rinse thoroughly, and use for aroma only, not for chewing.
Directions:
- In a bar mixing glass, add three cubes of ice, bourbon, and JN Press Apple Spice Juice.
- Stir with a long-handled bar spoon vigorously for 40 seconds.
- Strain into a standard rocks glass filled with crushed ice, garnish with a cinnamon stick stuffed with rinsed pine needles just because it looks cool.
- Serve.
Drink responsibly, and never drink and drive.
Note:
- If using very sweet cider, reduce to 3 oz of Apple Cider.
- If using tart cider, optional ¼ oz simple syrup or maple syrup
Is This A Traditional Manhattan?
No. This is a Manhattan-style cocktail with a fall twist.
It keeps the spirit-forward feel of a Manhattan but swaps vermouth for fresh apple spice juice to create a lighter, seasonal sip.
What Does An Old Town Manhattan Taste Like?
This cocktail is apple-forward with warm spice and a smooth bourbon finish.
It’s cozy and inviting, perfect for fall entertaining or slow sipping, and it helps you feel eager to enjoy seasonal moments.
How Strong Is This Old Town Manhattan?
It’s lighter than a classic Manhattan. With just one ounce of bourbon, this drink is approachable and easy to enjoy without being overly boozy, making it great for daytime gatherings or casual dinner parties.
Can I Make This Drink Ahead Of Time?
You can prepare the bourbon and apple spice juice up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator, covered.
Stir with ice and garnish just before serving to ensure a fresh, flavorful experience, making the process feel simple and stress-free.
What Kind Of Apple Juice Or Cider Works Best?
Fresh-pressed, unfiltered apple cider delivers the best flavor.
Avoid shelf-stable apple juice, as it tends to be overly sweet and flat.
If using spiced cider, consider skipping additional spice garnishes to keep the drink balanced.
Does The Type Of Ice Matter?
Yes. Crushed ice creates a lighter, more refreshing cocktail with quicker dilution.
Large ice cubes result in a more potent, slower sipping drink.
Are Pine Needles Safe To Use As A Garnish?
Only use food-safe pine varieties, such as Eastern White Pine, and rinse thoroughly before use.
Use pine for aroma only, not for eating, to ensure safety. If you prefer, rosemary or thyme make excellent substitutes.
Can I Use A Different Bourbon?
Any quality Kentucky bourbon will work. A rye whiskey can be used for a spicier, drier finish.
Avoid flavored whiskeys, as they overpower the apple notes.
How Many Servings Does This Recipe Make?
This recipe makes one cocktail, but it scales easily for batching when entertaining.
This drink is ideal for fall gatherings like pumpkin patch visits, holiday parties, fireside evenings, or casual dinner parties when you want something seasonal yet effortless.
Cheers!
More Fall-Holiday Recipes:
Old Town Manhattan Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 ounce McKenna Single Barrel Kentucky Bourbon
- 3 1/2 ounces JN Press Apple Spice {If you don't have a place to get local juice you can substitute with apple cider}
- Crushed Ice
- 2 –3 dashes of Angostura bitters
- 3 cubes of ice
- Cinnamon Stick
- Pine Needles for garnish. Note: Use food-safe pine like Eastern White Pine, rinse thoroughly, and use for aroma only, not for chewing.
Instructions
- In a bar mixing glass, add three cubes of ice, bourbon, and JN Press Apple Spice Juice.
- Stir with a long-handled bar spoon vigorously for 40 seconds.
- Strain into a standard rocks glass filled with crushed ice, garnish with a cinnamon stick stuffed with rinsed pine needles just because it looks cool.
- Serve.
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