What’s the Difference Between a Manhattan vs Old Fashioned?
When it comes to classic cocktails, few debates spark more friendly arguments than Manhattan vs Old Fashioned. Both are legendary whiskey cocktails. Both have deep roots in cocktail history. And, both are adored by bartenders and cocktail lovers alike. Yet, despite their similarities, the two drinks have distinct personalities.
Think of them as cousins at a family gathering: One dressed in a sharp pinstriped suit, making excellent small talk, while chewing on a sweet cherry; the other, rocking a colourful and breezy summer chic shirt, smelling like an orange grove and regaling an audience with their latest adventures.
They share DNA, but they are distinctly their own unique vibe.
Let us put your fears to rest early in the “Manhattan drink vs Old Fashioned order” cocktail conundrum: Both drinks shine beautifully when made with Jameson Irish Whiskey. “Shocker”, we know, but some underserved whiskey drinkers will swear blind that these cocktails can only be made with American whiskey.
These particular whiskey drinkers are wrong, and we have the recipes to prove it. We’ll break down the difference between a Manhattan vs Old Fashioned recipe, guiding you through Manhattan vs Old Fashioned ingredients, flavours, garnishes, and a bit of cocktail trivia to help you decide which one fits your next happy hour.
Once you’ve learned what is in a Manhattan vs an Old Fashioned, you can check our long list of Whiskey Cocktails recipes to see which other Jameson cocktails float your boat.
What’s a Manhattan?
The Manhattan cocktail is a strong, smooth, and aromatic drink traditionally made with rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and a few dashes of bitters. As the drink became more common globally, naturally, bartenders have embraced their own local or more readily available whiskeys. Of course, this is where triple distilled Jameson Irish Whiskey was found to be the ideal replacement for American rye, bringing a distinct smoothness to the cocktail; happy accidents and all that.
Sophisticated, bold, and slightly herbal thanks to the vermouth. The Manhattan is stirred over ice and strained into a chilled glass, usually crowned with its signature garnish: a maraschino cherry. The sweetness and pop of colour perfectly balance the drink’s depth, and you can make the false claim that you’re getting one of your 5-A-Day.
Curious to try a twist? Explore the Irish Manhattan or get creative with different cocktail garnishes.
What’s an Old Fashioned?
The Old Fashioned might just be the granddaddy of mixology. It’s one of the earliest cocktail recipes on record. Originally conceived in the 1800s, it’s defined simply as whiskey, sugar, and bitters, diluted with ice water and topped with an aromatic garnish.
Taste-wise, it’s a nuanced, whiskey-forward drink. An Old Fashioned should be rich, balanced, and slightly sweet, without hiding the flavour of the whiskey. The most common garnish seen today is a twist of orange peel, where the citrus oils from the peel are expressed over the glass, adding a beautiful aroma and brightening the drink overall. However, like the Manhattan, a maraschino cherry is also a very common garnish or, on occasion, a large slice of orange nestled beneath the ice.
To dig a little deeper on one of the world’s most beloved cocktails, check out the Classic Old Fashioned Recipe and our guide to Old Fashioned Garnishes.
What’s the Difference Between a Manhattan vs Old Fashioned?
Both cocktails are whiskey-based, both are classic cocktails, and both can be dressed up for modern palates. But let’s break down the details.
The Ingredients: What’s in a Manhattan vs Old Fashioned?
When it comes to Manhattan vs Old Fashioned ingredients. The clearest dividing line comes down to vermouth, and sugar or sugar syrup. The Manhattan includes sweet vermouth (not as sweet as you think), while the Old Fashioned does not. Instead, the Old Fashioned relies on sugar for sweetness. Classically, this was a brown sugar cube muddled with bitters at the bottom of the glass, but using sugar syrup (a diluted 50/50 split of sugar and water) is the most common way to sweeten an Old Fashioned these days.
That simple switch changes everything: the vermouth introduces herbal and floral complexity, while the Old Fashioned keeps things straightforward and spirit-forward.
The Taste: Manhattan vs Old Fashioned Taste
The Manhattan vs Old Fashioned taste comparison is like night and day:
• Manhattan – herbal, silky, complex
• Old Fashioned – bold, balanced, simple, whiskey-led
Both are delicious, but the vibe you’re after will likely decide which you pour.
A Matter of Sweetness: Manhattan vs Old Fashioned, Which is Sweeter?
So, Manhattan vs Old Fashioned—which is sweeter? The Manhattan draws its sweetness from vermouth, giving it a wine-like richness. The Old Fashioned, on the other hand, uses sugar syrup (or a sugar cube), which results in a clearer, sweeter profile.
Generally speaking, the Manhattan comes across as less sugary with a subtle sweetness, while the Old Fashioned has an up-front sweetness you can’t mistake.
Recipe Breakdown: How to Make Each Cocktail
The Classic Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
• 60 ml Jameson Black Barrel
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 2 dashes Orange bitters
• 2 dashes of Demerara Sugar syrup
• 1 Orange peel spiral to garnish
• Plenty of ice
Method:
1. Fill a glass or jug with ice
2. Add 60 ml Jameson Black Barrel
3. Add 2 dashes each of Angostura and Orange bitters
4. Add 2 dashes of sugar syrup
5. Stir vigorously until ice cold (10 seconds or so)
6. Strain mixture into an ice-filled rocks glass
7. Express the orange peel oils and garnish with an orange peel spiral
The Classic Old-Fashioned Recipe made with Jameson Black Barrel adds richness and additional subtle sweetness that brings this classic cocktail to a whole new level.
The Perfect Manhattan Recipe:
The perfect Manhattan recipe is an Irish Manhattan recipe using Jameson Original
Ingredients:
• 45 ml Jameson Original
• 22 ml sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes bitters
• Maraschino Cherry garnish
Method:
1. Add 45 ml Jameson Original, 22 ml sweet vermouth, and bitters to a mixing glass with ice
2. Stir until chilled (10 seconds or so)
3. Strain into a chilled coupe glass
4. Garnish with a cherry
Which is Better: An Old Fashioned or a Manhattan?
When it comes to Old Fashioned vs Manhattan, there’s no wrong answer. Some drinkers love the robust, spirit-forward nature of an Old Fashioned. Others prefer the smooth, layered complexity of a Manhattan.
And then, of course, there’s the occasional smoked Manhattan vs Old Fashioned showdown for cocktail bar bragging rights, but that’s a story for another article.
In the end, the “Manhattan vs Old Fashioned, which is better” question comes down to mood, preference, and occasion.
If you’re after a clean, strong sip of whiskey with a touch of sweetness, the Old Fashioned is your friend. If you want something a little more refined and aromatic, the Manhattan is your glassmate.
For more inspiration, explore Jameson’s Our World Hub and discover a universe of cocktail recipes, stories, and mixology tips to expand your repertoire.
