21 Bourbon co*cktail 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 co*cktails. 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 co*cktails, like the Mint Julep, New York Sour, and Paper Plane. Read on for our favorite bourbon co*cktails to make anytime.

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Winter Berries co*cktail

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Fruity, rich, and mildly sweet dark-berry liqueur plays well with effervescent sparkling wine in this Winter Berries co*cktail, 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 co*cktail.

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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 co*cktail 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 co*cktail 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 co*cktail.

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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 co*cktail 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 co*cktail 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 co*cktail is a classic for a reason. Shaking with large ice cubes chills the co*cktail 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 co*cktail 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 co*cktail "the very dream of drinks."

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Dog Days of Summer Ale

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Cherry heering gives this beer-bourbon co*cktail 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 co*cktail uses fig syrup to create a playful take on a whiskey smash co*cktail.

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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 co*cktail 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 co*cktail. Pour some of the reserved puree on top of the crushed ice for a co*cktail 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 co*cktail Recipes to Make Tonight (2024)

FAQs

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 most popular bourbon drink? ›

The most classic of all bourbon co*cktails, 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 are the top 5 whiskey co*cktails? ›

We've compiled a list of the best whisky drinks from the top 5 classic co*cktails including the Old Fashioned, Rob Roy, Whisky Sour, Julep and Whisky Smash, to more modern twists. We're sure that our list of the most popular whisky drinks to order at a bar has something for everyone.

What is the oldest bourbon co*cktail? ›

One of the earliest and most iconic bourbon co*cktails 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 co*cktail is celebrated for its simplicity and balance.

How can I make bourbon taste better? ›

A whiskey highball is the most classic highball variety, and one of the best solutions when thinking about how to make bourbon taste better. Simply add whiskey to soda water and ice and you're good to go!

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 co*ckTAIL SMOKING BOX.
  • BOURBON BARREL STAVE WOOD SIGN.
  • BOURBON VANILLA SOAP.

What is the smoothest sipping bourbon? ›

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 America's favorite bourbon? ›

1. Buffalo Trace. Buffalo Trace Distillery, located in Frankfort, Kentucky, is one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in the United States. Its rich history and commitment to traditional distilling methods have earned it a revered place in the whiskey world.

Why is Jack Daniel's not a bourbon? ›

And a bourbon must be distilled at no more than 160 proof, or 80% alcohol by volume. Jack is well under that. It comes over the still at 140 proof, or 70% alcohol. After that, a bourbon must enter the barrel at no more than 125 proof, or 62.5% alcohol by volume.

What is the most requested co*cktail? ›

1. Margarita. The classic Margarita co*cktail has been one of the most popular co*cktails in America for years and still remains on top. While there are many variations, the traditional recipe consists of tequila, Triple Sec and lime juice.

Which is the king of co*cktails? ›

Synonymous with sophistication, allure, and delicious decadence, the martini holds a hallowed place in social history – it is the “KING OF co*ckTAILS.” Like the stiletto heel, it never goes out of style.

What is a popular bourbon co*cktail? ›

You cannot get more classic than a classic Old Fashioned. This humble concoction of four ingredients—whiskey, sugar, bitters, and water—is quite literally the co*cktail that started it all.

What is a 70s co*cktail? ›

Amid the menu's usual suspects — Martini, Manhattan, Americano, and Negroni — lurked a mind-boggling showing of drinks that originated or were popularized during the 1970s: Amaretto Sour, White Russian, Tequila Sunrise, and — it can't be! — an Alabama Slammer. We ordered our usuals plus a Slammer for the table.

What was America's first bottled bourbon? ›

In 1870, George Garvin Brown created Old Forester on Louisville's famous Whiskey Row at 322 W. Main St. Old Forester was "America's First Bottled Bourbon" – the first bourbon to be sold in sealed glass bottles instead of from barrels, to ensure consistent quality.

What's the best way to drink bourbon? ›

Drinking Bourbon Neat

No frills, just bourbon. If you wish to really taste the liquor in its purest form, ask for bourbon neat. Once you get your bourbon, try not to drink the entire glass in one swig. Instead, bourbon should be sipped slowly and savored, especially when served neat.

What soda do you mix with bourbon? ›

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 enhances bourbon? ›

Dark Chocolate: Enhances the robust flavors of aged bourbon. Milk Chocolate: Pairs well with wheated bourbon for a smoother experience. White Chocolate: Brings out the vanilla and caramel notes in younger bourbons.

Is Sprite and bourbon good? ›

It was just a sophisticated, clean co*cktail. I was delighted to taste both ingredients without the rough burn of the bourbon rushing down my throat. The best thing, though, is that you can easily tailor this drink to your tastebuds. If you like the full, strong flavor of bourbon you can use less Sprite.

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