Red Moon Over Manhattan Cocktail
A bold, spirit-forward Manhattan riff layered with a float of dry red wine for color and gentle fruit, stirred and served elegantly over an ice sphere.
Equipment
- Mixing glass
- Bar spoon
- Jigger
- Fine strainer
- Hawthorne strainer
- Coupe glass
- Ice sphere mold
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- 0.5 oz dry red wine float
- 1 maraschino cherry for garnish
- ice cubes for stirring
- 1 ice sphere for serving
Instructions
- Chill a coupe glass (optional) and place an ice sphere in it.
- Fill a mixing glass halfway with ice. Add bourbon, sweet vermouth, and simple syrup.
- Stir gently for about 30 seconds until well chilled and diluted.
- Strain into the prepared coupe over the ice sphere (fine strain to remove ice shards, if desired).
- Slowly float the red wine by pouring it over the back of a spoon so it layers on top.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry on a pick and serve.
Notes
Use a rye-forward bourbon to balance sweetness. Medium-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot make a smooth float. Reduce simple syrup for a drier profile, or increase bourbon by 0.5 oz for a stronger sip. High-quality cocktail cherries elevate both flavor and presentation.