This story appears in our Spring 2026 issue, on newsstands April 14th. Want us to come to your place? Order the issue here to get it delivered to your door, or become a member to get digital access to the issue and early access to paywalled content.

Come up for a nightcap?” These words slip out easily when you’re not quite ready to call it a night after a date gone well. But no need to worry about what comes next: You’re prepared. As you head toward your freshly tidied abode, you might inquire if they’ve ever tried miso vermouth. No? It’s so complex, you’ll say. The perfect hit of umami. It’s hard for anyone to resist.

Inside, the glasses are polished. The ice is on standby. The firewood stacked and ready. You dim the lights and press play on the perfect playlist. “Miso Manhattan?” you ask, while igniting the fire. If whiskey isn’t their thing, a pour of the miso vermouth neat or on the rocks makes an equally compelling case.

Offer a Luxardo cherry as a sticky-sweet opener, skewering two more for the drinks. Stir the whiskey, vermouth, and bitters over ice before straining into a coupe. Garnish. Clink. Toast. With the first sip, let the salty miso notes linger on the tongue before enjoying a cherry from the cocktail pick. The night, it turns out, is just getting started.

MISO MANHATTAN

2 ounces rye whiskey or bourbon

1 ounce Veso Miso Sweet Vermouth

1 dash aromatic bitters

Luxardo maraschino cherries, for garnish

Directions: Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add the whiskey, vermouth, and bitters and stir to combine. Strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with 2 cherries on a cocktail pick.