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 most popular bourbon co*cktail? ›

Old Fashioned

The first recorded mention of the Old Fashioned co*cktail dates back to 1862 in a recipe book. It is, without question, one of the most popular bourbons or whiskey drinks and is one of the most popular co*cktails in the world.

What is good 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 are the six basic co*cktails? ›

Embury's six basic drinks are the Daiquiri, the Jack Rose, the Manhattan, the Martini, the Old Fashioned, and the Sidecar. Embury's preferred recipe for each is: Daiquiri. Shake with much finely crushed ice and strain well into a chilled co*cktail glass.

Is bourbon a good Nightcap? ›

Other traditional nightcaps include brown liquor like brandy or bourbon, and cream-based liqueurs such as Irish cream. Wine, especially fortified, can also function as a nightcap. Since some nightcaps are made of amaro, a digestif, they are believed to also make settling into bed easier by promoting digestion.

What is the No 1 bourbon in the world? ›

But we know what you really want to see: the top of the heap, A-number-1; the World's Best Bourbon. Period. For 2024 that singular honor belongs to the 12 year old release from Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky.

What is the smoothest easiest to drink bourbon? ›

Woodford Reserve is a really high quality sipping bourbon and an easy entry point for the whiskey newcomer. That's because the palate of this bourbon is sweet and soft, with just a bit of spice lingering in the background.

What to mix with bourbon for beginners? ›

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

What not to mix with whiskey? ›

Whisky and vodka

Many people choose to combine it with similar strong spirits, like vodka or tequila. While this may seem like a clever idea in theory, the alcohol content will quickly add up on your body and you'll be hammered in no time.

Is bourbon good with Sprite? ›

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.

What is the king of all 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 are the most ordered co*cktails? ›

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

What is the strongest common co*cktail? ›

Extremely Strong co*cktails
  • Angelo Azzurro. Gin. Martini.
  • Angel Face. Gin. Martini. Classic.
  • Jack Frost Manhattan. Whiskey. Martini.
  • Manhattan. Whiskey. Classic. Martini.
  • Scottish Licorice. Liqueur. Short.
  • La Louisiane. Whiskey. Martini.
  • Dry Martini. Gin. Classic. Martini.
  • Knockout. Gin. Martini.

Why can't I sleep after drinking bourbon? ›

And though it may help in the short term, drinking alcohol before bed can actually lead to a night of horrible, restless sleep. “There's some evidence that alcohol actually disrupts the release of melatonin in your brain,” says Aristidis Iatridis, M.D., a pulmonologist and sleep medicine specialist at Piedmont.

Is bourbon an upper or downer? ›

Is Alcohol an Upper or Downer? Alcohol is a Central Nervous System depressant, classifying it as a downer.

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.

What bourbon to order at a bar? ›

The Best Go-To Bourbons, According to Bartenders
  • Coit's Indiana Straight Bourbon.
  • Maker's Mark 46.
  • Rabbit Hole.
  • Old Forester 100 Proof.
  • Michter's Bourbon.
  • Old Grand-Dad Bottled in Bond.
  • Evan Williams.
  • Blackened x Wes Henderson.
Feb 27, 2023

How do you order a bourbon co*cktail? ›

When ordering a bourbon-based co*cktail, simply ask the bartender for the specific co*cktail you would like, using bourbon as the base spirit. Examples include a bourbon Manhattan, Old Fashioned, or Mint Julep. If you're uncertain which co*cktail to try, feel free to ask the bartender for their recommendation.

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