21 Bourbon Cocktail Recipes to Make Tonight (2024)

If you ask us, no home bar is complete without a bottle of bourbon. "Both Scotch and bourbon arewhisk(e)y, meaning they’re wood-aged spirits that have been distilled from a fermented mash of grains," writes Food & Wine contributor Brian Freedman. "Bourbon is based on corn, not barley. According to regulations, it must be composed of a mash bill (basically the list of grains that have been used) consisting of at least 51% corn."

We're amazed by bourbon's versatility when it comes to making sweet, tart, and warming cocktails. For something unexpectedly tangy, try your hand at a Tamarind Whiskey Sour. Entertaining a crowd? We'd recommend whipping up a batch of Whiskey Chai. It's also worth getting comfortable with classic bourbon cocktails, like the Mint Julep, New York Sour, and Paper Plane. Read on for our favorite bourbon cocktails to make anytime.

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Winter Berries Cocktail

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Fruity, rich, and mildly sweet dark-berry liqueur plays well with effervescent sparkling wine in this Winter Berries cocktail, while grain-forward bourbon adds a touch of heat. Garnish this bubbly sipper with a thin half-moon slice of lemon.

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Maple-Bourbon Smash

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Richly flavored dark amber maple syrup combines with citrus juices and seltzer to make this lightened riff on an Old-Fashioned cocktail.

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Boulevardier

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The Boulevardier is the whiskey lover's Negroni. Made with three simple ingredients — bourbon, Campari, and sweet vermouth — this straightforward cocktail comes together in seconds with staples you likely always keep in your home bar.

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Alpine Brew

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This delicious, highly caffeinated cocktail combines bourbon, coffee liqueur, cold brew, maple syrup, and walnut bitters.

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Tamarind Whiskey Sour

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Tamarind imbues any dish with a telltale sharp, sweet, yet tart kick. It adds just the right amount of excitement to surprise even the most dedicated drinker of this classic cocktail.

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Paper Plane

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Though the Paper Plane is easy to put together and it's plenty easy-drinking, it offers a complex flavor profile: still bright and fresh but with enough heft to make it autumn-appropriate.

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Bourbon-Tea Julep

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Tannins from black tea add a beautiful hint of bitterness to this variation on a classic Mint Julep. The citrus oil, oleo saccharum, is made by steeping lemon peels in sugar. Its bright flavor is the perfect lift to finish each sip.

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Shadow Woman

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This Old-Fashioned–style cocktail gets a fruity kick from pear brandy and gentle sweetness from honey; the bourbon adds a bite without overpowering the drink. Pear brandy is a highly aromatic and unsweetened liquor made from fermented pears.

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Banana-Rum Old-Fashioned

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A bold, strong cocktail with both high-proof bourbon and light rum gets a hint of floral sweetness from mellow crème de banane.

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Withering Sunrise

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Bourbon and puréed mango are a match made in heaven.

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New York Sour

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The perfect balance of fruity red wine and smoky-sweet bourbon, the New York Sour cocktail is a classic for a reason. Shaking with large ice cubes chills the cocktail without diluting it — and those large cubes made with ice sphere molds look great in a rocks glass, too. If you're feeling adventurous, add an egg white to the shaker for a thicker viscosity.

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Mint Julep

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The Mint Julep has been the iconic drink of the Kentucky Derby since 1939, but references to the cocktail go as far back as the year 900, when it was sipped for medicinal purposes. When New Orleans bartender Chris McMillian was at Bar UnCommon, he recited an ode while mixing Mint Juleps, written in the 1890s by a Kentucky newspaperman, that calls the bourbon and mint cocktail "the very dream of drinks."

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Dog Days of Summer Ale

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Cherry heering gives this beer-bourbon cocktail its striking red hue.

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Milk Punch

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This classic, creamy milk punch will warm you up on the coldest winter evenings.

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Whiskey Samash

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This Hanukkah cocktail uses fig syrup to create a playful take on a whiskey smash cocktail.

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Hot Toddy

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Is it really wintertime without a good hot toddy? We think not.

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Ginger and Bourbon

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This simple, soothing wintertime cocktail is a favorite for good reason.

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Whiskey Chai

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Think of this comforting whiskey chai as a nightcap meant to satiate a crowd after a big night out. We're especially fond of the Zanzibar peppercorns from Burlap and Barrel, which add a bright, almost fruity touch to this sweet sipper.

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Apricot Nectarine Julep

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A puree of roasted apricots and nectarines brings out bourbon's notes of vanilla and nutmeg, making for the ultimate late-summer cocktail. Pour some of the reserved puree on top of the crushed ice for a cocktail that almost resembles a Hawaiian shave ice. The same roast-and-puree technique can be used for more stone fruits, such as plums and sour cherries.

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Homemade Eggnog

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To make rich, creamy homemade eggnog, you'll need a double boiler and a whisk. In just two steps, you'll have a festive drink made ahead. Be sure to chill it thoroughly before serving, and give it a final whisk, too, to make sure everything is blended.

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In Cold Blood

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Andrew Volk says this is currently the most popular order at Portland Hunt & Alpine Club in Maine. The drink, according to Volk, is "approachable but geekywith the salt," which he adds to balance the bitterness of the artichoke-flavored aperitif Cynar.

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21 Bourbon Cocktail Recipes to Make Tonight (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular bourbon cocktail? ›

The most classic of all bourbon cocktails, the Old Fashioned has been around for more than 200 years. Its staying power owes to its simplicity: Little more than a slug of whiskey, seasoned and sweetened with Angostura bitters and sugar, the drink is more special than a neat pour, but nearly as easy to enjoy.

What is the best thing to mix with bourbon? ›

Pretty much anything, but water, coca-cola, soda water, ginger ale, coffee, angostura bitters, cherry, and anything that complements the taste of bourbons like caramel, vanilla, oak, toasted rye, oatmeal, cornbread, cinnamon, and chocolate.

What is the oldest bourbon cocktail? ›

One of the earliest and most iconic bourbon cocktails is the Old Fashioned. First documented in the early 1800s, the Old Fashioned is a testament to the timeless appeal of bourbon. Made with bourbon, sugar, bitters, and a twist of citrus, this cocktail is celebrated for its simplicity and balance.

What to mix with bourbon besides coke? ›

8 Whiskey Mixers That Are Pro-Approved
  1. What Can You Mix with Whiskey? We think the more accurate question is 'what can't you mix with whiskey? ...
  2. Soda Water. ...
  3. Amaro. ...
  4. Ginger. ...
  5. Vermouth and Bitters. ...
  6. Lemon Soda. ...
  7. Warm Apple Cider. ...
  8. Lemon Juice.
Jun 5, 2023

What's the smoothest sipping bourbon? ›

What are the smoothest bourbons? Wheated bourbons are typically considered to be the smoothest, most easy-drinking bourbons on the market. Some popular examples include Maker's Mark and the ultimate unicorn, Pappy Van Winkle.

What is the most requested cocktail? ›

The 10 World's Most Popular Classic Cocktails Guide
  • Margarita. The classic Margarita cocktail has been one of the most popular cocktails in America for years and still remains on top. ...
  • Cosmopolitan. ...
  • Daiquiri. ...
  • Gimlet. ...
  • Manhattan. ...
  • Negroni. ...
  • Old Fashioned. ...
  • Sex on the Beach.

What is a good bourbon drink for beginners? ›

The Bourbon Sour

The whiskey sour is a favorite among whiskey drinkers who enjoy a balanced cocktail that highlights the dark liquor. Using bourbon in this already sweet cocktail alongside lemon juice and simple syrup is perfect for beginner drinkers.

What should every bourbon drinker have? ›

We've curated a list of our favorite gifts for bourbon lovers (besides our own, of course).
  • MONOGRAM WHISKEY GLASSES.
  • THREE GLASS WHISKEY FLIGHT BOARD.
  • ENGRAVED DECANTER SET.
  • BOURBON NOSING KIT.
  • MIXOLOGY SET.
  • CRAFTHOUSE BY FORTESSA COCKTAIL SMOKING BOX.
  • BOURBON BARREL STAVE WOOD SIGN.
  • BOURBON VANILLA SOAP.

How to drink bourbon properly? ›

Straight or neat is the best way to enjoy bourbon and let all the subtle intricacies of the aromas and flavors truly come together. While often used interchangeably, there's a subtle difference between neat and straight. Neat means that you don't add any water or ice.

Is Jack Daniel's bourbon? ›

The two are often confused. The short answer is, no, Jack Daniel's is a Tennessee whiskey. The slightly longer answer is yes, because Tennessee whiskey is a subtype of bourbon that meets all of the legal requirements for the spirit, but has additional requirements specific to its production in Tennessee.

What is the difference between bourbon and whiskey? ›

Whiskey is a general term for an alcoholic liquor made from fermented mashed grains. Bourbon is the term for a whiskey made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn. Bourbon was traditionally made in Bourbon County, Kentucky, and most bourbon is still produced in the state of Kentucky.

What is America's first bourbon? ›

OLD FORESTER IS "AMERICA'S FIRST BOTTLED BOURBON", AND THE ONLY BOURBON CONTINUOUSLY SOLD BY THE SAME COMPANY BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER PROHIBITION.

What is bourbon and coke called? ›

When bourbon is used, it is often called bourbon and Coke, or more generically, bourbon and cola. The "Coke" part of the name may tend to imply that the Coca-Cola brand of cola is used, but it is common for any brand of cola to be referred to as "Coke", at least in the American South. Whiskey and Coke.

What do actors drink instead of bourbon? ›

What do actors drink instead of whiskey? Iced tea.

What is the best pop to mix with bourbon? ›

Bourbon and Cola

Cola will be the most obvious choice when you're making 2 ingredient bourbon drinks that include soda. You can pour 2 ounces of bourbon and 4 ounces of cola into a rocks glass filled with ice to make a bourbon and cola drink.

What is the most popular way to drink bourbon? ›

Straight or Neat

It's just room-temperature bourbon served from a glass. On the other hand, straight involves placing the bourbon in a glass with ice, shaking it or stirring it to cool it, and then straining it into a glass to serve. True bourbon connoisseurs understand this is the best way to drink bourbon.

What is bourbon commonly mixed with? ›

Bourbon mixes well many beverages including cola, soda water, coffee, orange juice, fortified wine, and other spirits. Bourbon is a versatile spirit that can be enjoyed on its own or mixed in a cocktail.

What is New Orleans Favourite cocktail? ›

1. Sazerac. Considered by some the official cocktail of New Orleans, the Sazerac dates back to the 19th century. It's made with rye whiskey, absinthe, Peychaud's bitters, and a sugar cube, garnished with a lemon peel.

What do Americans drink with bourbon? ›

The Old Fashioned is the quintessential bourbon cocktail. It's bourbon, a sugar cube, a few dashes of Angostura bitters, a twist of orange peel, and maybe a cherry on top for the lovers of a little extra sweetness. It's as if you're dressing up your bourbon for a night out – classy and timeless.

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