Apricot Manhattan

Manhattan & Riffs • December 16, 2025

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A photo of the Apricot Manhattan cocktail containing Willett Family Estate Bottled 4 Year Rye, Carpano Punt E Mes Sweet Vermouth, Giffard Abricot Du Roussillon, Angostura Aromatic Bitters in a Coupe.

Curiada Ingredients

2.50 fl oz Willett Family Estate Bottled 4 Year Rye or alternative
0.75 fl oz Carpano Punt E Mes Sweet Vermouth or alternative
0.25 fl oz Giffard Abricot Du Roussillon or alternative
1.00 dash Angostura Aromatic Bitters or alternative

Directions

Chill coupe glass
Add all ingredients to mixing glass with ice
Stir well until chilled
Fine strain into chilled coupe glass
Garnish with dried apricot on rim or Luxardo Maraschino cherry

Cocktail Description

Imagine a classic Manhattan wearing a silky golden apricot jacket – that's what happens when stone fruit elegance meets rye whiskey's spicy backbone.

The Apricot Manhattan delivers a sophisticated balance of Rittenhouse's bold rye spice and Carpano Punt e Mes' bitter-sweet herbal complexity, while Giffard's premium apricot liqueur adds luscious fruit notes without veering into cloying sweetness. Each sip offers warming baking spices upfront, followed by dark cherry and bitter orange from the vermouth, with apricot providing a smooth, aromatic finish that lingers pleasantly. This cocktail works beautifully as an aperitif before a special dinner or as a contemplative nightcap, particularly during autumn when stone fruits are giving way to heartier flavors. Since it's stirred rather than shaken, it's relatively straightforward to prepare at home, though precise measurements help achieve the perfect balance. Pair this sophisticated sipper with rich cheese boards featuring aged gouda or manchego, duck confit, or dark chocolate desserts that complement both the fruity and spicy elements of this elegant riff on a classic.