Five Keys
Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 25.3% ABV ∙
The Five Keys is a Manhattan-style drink of bourbon and rosso vermouth with maraschino liqueur and Cynar, stirred and served up in a coupe.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir all ingredients with ice: Bourbon 40 mlRosso vermouth 25 mlMaraschino liqueur 10 mlCynar 10 ml
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry
Tips
- Stir over ice for about 30 seconds, until the drink is cold, silky and well diluted but still clear.
- Cynar and maraschino are both strong flavors, so keep each to 10 ml; with a heavy hand they bury the bourbon.
History
The Five Keys is a modern variation on the Manhattan, keeping the bourbon-and-sweet-vermouth base but folding in maraschino liqueur and Cynar, a bittersweet artichoke amaro, for an earthier, more bitter finish. No single bar or bartender is widely credited with it; it circulates through cocktail sites as one of many contemporary riffs on the classic. The Manhattan itself dates to late-19th-century New York, its first written recipes appearing in the 1880s.
FAQ
What is in a Five Keys?
40 ml bourbon, 25 ml rosso vermouth, 10 ml maraschino liqueur and 10 ml Cynar.
Is a Five Keys shaken or stirred?
Stirred. The drink is all spirits and liqueurs, so stirring chills and dilutes it while keeping the texture clear and silky rather than aerated.
What glass is a Five Keys served in?
A coupe glass. It is fine-strained and served up, so no ice reaches the glass.
How strong is a Five Keys?
About 25.3% ABV, which puts it firmly in spirit-forward Manhattan territory rather than a lighter aperitif.
Is a Five Keys vegan?
Yes, it is vegan, vegetarian, and lactose-free, since bourbon, vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and Cynar are all plant-based with no dairy or animal products.
