Chocolate Covered Cherry Amaro Manhattan Cocktail
A strong cocktail, made with rye whiskey, Averna amaro, dark chocolate liqueur, and a homemade cherry shrub for a chocolate-covered cherry with a kick!
Servings 1 drink
Calories 234kcal
Ingredients
Sour Cherry Shrub
- 1 Cup Fresh Sour Cherries whole, with pits
- ½ Cup Sugar
- ½ Cup Water
- ½ Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
Chocolate-Covered Cherry Manhattan
- 1 ½ oz Rye Whiskey
- ½ oz Averna Amaro or similar
- ½ oz Godiva Dark Chocolate Liqueur
- ½ oz Sour Cherry Shrub
- 1-2 dashes Cherry Bitters optional
- 2 Cherries optional, for garnish
Instructions
Sour Cherry Shrub
- Use a cherry pitter or paring knife to remove the pits from the cherries, and set the pits aside. Do not discard.
- In a small saucepan, stir together the pitted cherries, sugar, and water until combined, and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
- Continue to simmer for 5-8 minutes, squishing the cherries on the bottom and sides of the pan, until the mixture has thickened and the cherries have all been mashed. Then turn off the heat.
- Add the vinegar and cherry pits into the pan, and stir to combine. Cover loosely, and allow the mixture to infuse and cool for 45 minutes.
- Pour the cooled shrub through a fine-mesh strainer, using a flexible spatula to extract any excess juices, into a 16-oz jar. Cover loosely until cooled to room temperature.
Chocolate-Covered Cherry Manhattan
- Fill a mixer glass about halfway with ice, and add in the rye, amaro, chocolate liqueur, and shrub. Use a bar spoon to stir until combined.
- Pour through a cocktail strainer into a chilled martini glass, and top with cherry bitters if desired. Garnish with two skewered cherries and serve.
Notes
- Make Ahead Tips:
- The shrub can be made in advance and stored in a sealed jar in the fridge for 3-4 weeks.
- The cocktail itself is best made to serve. However, since it is strained, you could store one mixed in the fridge for a day or so if needed.
- Ingredients:
- This works best with fresh sour cherries, but if you are only able to access sweet cherries, use Rainier or white cherries, or any more tart variety. Black cherries don't work well here, as they are too sweet. Frozen sour cherries should be thawed before using, and they will not have pits to add. Instead, increase the amount of cherries to 1 1/2 cups.
- Rye is the traditional whiskey used in a Manhattan, and I suggest using your favorite craft variety from a local distillery if possible. If you're a beginner, try Sazerac Rye.
- The Averna amaro here is meant to replace the vermouth in a traditional Manhattan. I specify the brand because amaros come in quite a range. Stick with a sweeter one, with hints of chocolate, like the Averna or Montenegro.
- Cherry bitters are optional here, but add an extra hint of that sour cherry flavor. For something different, try this cocktail with a splash of cherry liqueur instead or a dash of chocolate bitters.
- Non-alcoholic: For a zero-proof version of the shrub, combine it with seltzer or your favorite lemon-lime soda. A Manhattan can be difficult to recreate without alcohol, but you can come somewhat close using an alcohol-free whiskey, chocolate syrup, and cherry bitters.