Manhattan vs Old Fashioned: What’s the Difference?

Updated June 2026.

A Manhattan and an Old Fashioned are two IBA cards, not two TTB types. Current IBA Manhattan: 50 ml rye whiskey, 20 ml sweet red vermouth, one dash Angostura. Current IBA Old Fashioned: 45 ml bourbon or rye, sugar cube, Angostura, water. Vermouth is a US type.21(g) aperitif wine. Typical US whiskey is 40% The Manhattan’s 50 ml at 40% is about 1.11 drinks before vermouth.

Related: rye or bourbon, sweet vermouth, Old Fashioned taste.

Two cards

Language Drinks at 40%
IBA Manhattan ~1.11 whiskey
IBA Old Fashioned 1.00
Vermouth Neck
Typical US whiskey Read the neck

Count both bottles in the Manhattan. Pour math: whiskey drinks.

Sources

  • iba-world.com Manhattan: 50 ml rye, 20 ml sweet red vermouth, Angostura.
  • iba-world.com Old Fashioned: 45 ml bourbon or rye, sugar, Angostura, water. 27 CFR 5.143 / 4.21(g). Typical 40%. NIAAA December 2025.
  • is 27 CFR 4

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