Did Two Cocktail Recipes Forge the Old Fashioned and Manhattan?

Food & Drink · Published 7 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Jerry Thomas documented distinct whiskey cocktail recipes in 1862 and 1876. These early formulations are believed by some to be the ancestors of iconic drinks like the Old Fashioned and the Manhattan. Discover the subtle shifts in these historical recipes.

The comparison between the 1862 and 1876 whiskey cocktail recipes, both attributed to Jerry Thomas, reveals a fascinating glimpse into cocktail evolution. These two documented recipes are thought by some to have morphed over time into modern classics such as the Old Fashioned and the Manhattan. Furthermore, there is even speculation that the Sazerac Cocktail may have drawn inspiration from or evolved from these earlier iterations, though the passages caution that such connections are entirely debatable.

The specific instructions for the 1862 Whiskey Cocktail involve mixing the cocktail with two dashes of bitters (Boker’s is specified) and then shaking it with cracked ice before straining the mixture into a glass. In contrast, the 1876 Improved Whiskey Cocktail recipe is simpler, requiring only two dashes of Boker’s (or Angostura) bitters, which is then shaken with shaved ice and strained into a glass.

While the passages present these historical recipes, they also temper expectations regarding definitive lineage. The author advises that because the connections are so highly debatable, one should simply enjoy the cocktail. The core difference noted between the two documented versions lies in the ice used for chilling and the slight variation in the bitters specified, though both rely on bitters for flavor structure.

The recipes provide a tangible look at the early craft of mixology, suggesting a continuous, if debated, refinement process leading to the cocktails we recognize today.

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