21 Whiskey co*cktail Recipes for Every Enthusiast (2024)

It's perfectly fine to enjoy your whiskey neat or on the rocks, but whiskey co*cktails (or "whisky" depending on where you are in the world) can highlight the spirit's flavor profile, manifest nostalgia, or enhance an occasion. The classic Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, Mint Julep, and Rob Roy certainly celebrate the best of whiskey's characteristics, and even whiskey lovers can find something new in creative whiskey drinks like the Scotch-based Paris Between the Wars, a rye-spiked Northern Standard, or a the warm Irish whiskey-kissed Gaelic Punch. From the whiskey co*cktails every home bartender should know to interesting whiskey drinks every enthusiast should try, these are our best whiskey co*cktail recipes.

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Old Fashioned

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According to co*cktail historian David Wondrich, the old-fashioned is a direct descendant of the earliest known co*cktail, which in 1806 consisted of "a little water, a little sugar, a lot of liquor and a couple splashes of bitters." Purists may scoff at the inclusion of a muddled cherry, but if it brings you pleasure, don't hold back.

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New York Sour

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With the perfect balance of fruity red wine and smoky-sweet bourbon, the New York Sour co*cktail is a classic for a reason. Shaking the co*cktail with large ice cubes will chill the co*cktail without diluting it, and those large cubes look great in a rocks glass or a great whiskey glass, too.

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Paris Between the Wars

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With rich smokiness from the blended Scotch, rounded bitterness from Campari, and a tart bite from fresh lemon juice, this co*cktail from New Orleans hospitality legends Ti and Lally Brennan is well-balanced and extra-refreshing thanks to a splash of sparkling wine.

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Classic Mint Julep

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When New Orleans bartender Chris McMillian mixes mint juleps at Bar UnCommon, he recites an ode, written in the 1890s by a Kentucky newspaperman, that calls the co*cktail "the zenith of man's pleasure…the very dream of drinks."

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Northern Standard

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This drink is a shade more complex than a Manhattan, thanks to three different bitter elements. Created by mixologist James Ives, this full-flavored co*cktail uses rye aged in charred barrels to balance out the richness of Carpano vermouth for a sip that's equally strong and smooth.

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Bourbon-Tea Julep

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Tannins from black tea add a beautiful hint of bitterness to author and bon vivant Alexander Small's twist on a classic mint julep. Oleo saccharum, also known as citrus oil, is made here by steeping lemon peels in sugar; its bright flavor is the perfect lift to finish each sip.

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Classic Manhattan

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Rye whiskey, vermouth, and Angostura bitters are all it takes to craft this iconic co*cktail. A cherry is the standard garnish, but if a lemon twist fits your mood, follow that bliss.

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Bottled Manhattan

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Pre-mixing batches of Dave Arnold and Don Lee's rye-forward Manhattan in bottles and stashing them in a cooler allows you to separate chilling from dilution, resulting in a perfect drink every time. Lee notes, "Making a bottled co*cktail is great for dinner party planning, too, because it lets you do the work ahead of time."

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Maple Bourbon Smash

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Grade A maple syrup isn't just for pancakes! We recommend using just half an ounce for a sweet, soothing sipper.

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Paper Plane

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One of our favorite whiskey co*cktails, the Paper Plane has just enough sweetness to counteract its bitter and sour notes, and its signature orange hue comes from Aperol.

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The Belmont

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2017 F&W Best New Chef Angie Mar's famed restaurant The Beatrice Inn may (sadly) be no longer, but this herbaceous, citrus-forward whiskey co*cktail remains absolutely worth making.

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Scotch and Soda

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This simple, two-ingredient drink showcases the genius of a highball co*cktail: this one-two punch combination elongates a spirit like Scotch into a taller drink while club soda dilutes the strong spirit and intensifies its aromas with effervescence.

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Arigato Sour

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This play on a sweet and tart whiskey sour features a citrus you may not have tried before: kabosu from Japan. Salvatore Tafuri uses Suntory Toki Japanese whiskey for its fruit-forward characteristics.

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Mr. J

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Port-finished Scotch blends with coffee and chocolate in this fireside-ready co*cktail.

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Matcha Highball

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A trip to Japan inspired Denver bartender Jason Patz to combine matcha (a vivid green-tea powder) with Japanese whisky.

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Gaelic Punch

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Punch prophet David Wondrich notes that for hot drinks, young Irish whiskeys work best. Heat intensifies the tannic edge of older whiskey; young ones stay smooth. Nutmeg, cloves, and citrus peels round out the cozy comfort.

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Blackberry-Mint Julep

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Blackberries add fruity, summery flavor to the classic warm-weather whiskey co*cktail.

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In Cold Blood

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

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Whiskey Chai

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This boozy, fragrant nightcap shines when you use high-quality cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.

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Irish Buck co*cktail

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Light yet oaky, Irish whiskey joins tart lemon juice, honey, and spicy ginger beer in this refreshing, fizzy, basil-scented Irish Buck co*cktail.

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Homemade Eggnog

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Instead of making anyone choose between bourbon, rum, or brandy, this eggnog recipe generously calls for all three, resulting in a festive, complexly flavored drink that tastes deceptively innocent.

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21 Whiskey co*cktail Recipes for Every Enthusiast (2024)

FAQs

What are the five whiskey co*cktails? ›

Five classic whisky-based co*cktails (and the stories behind their names)
  • Sazerac.
  • Old Fashioned.
  • Rob Roy.
  • Mint Julep.
  • Seelbach.

What is a co*cktail everyone likes? ›

If you don't have a martini glass to hand, try our reverse espresso martini with a splash of Baileys and espresso.
  • Mojito. A minty mojito is the perfect drink for a hot summer's afternoon. ...
  • Pina colada. ...
  • Sex on the beach. ...
  • Passion fruit martini. ...
  • Old fashioned. ...
  • Cosmopolitan. ...
  • Pimm's.

What are the 6 master co*cktails? ›

Get a handle on those six drinks, the authors write, and you'll be able to create innumerable variations. They are the Old Fashioned, Martini, Daiquiri, Sidecar, Whiskey Highball, and Flip.

What is the king of all co*cktails? ›

Martini. The gin martini is the king of co*cktails.

What is the oldest whiskey co*cktail? ›

What was the first ever co*cktail? Accounts differ, but most experts agree that the first co*cktail was the Sazerac, a blend of whisky, absinthe, bitters and sugar. Created in New Orleans in the mid-1800s, this is one of the first co*cktails recognisable by name and remains a favourite to this day.

What are good whiskey mixes? ›

Ginger beer or ale mix “well with all whiskey types. Whiskey's natural spice notes meld well with the sweet spices of ginger ale and ginger beer,” says Newman. “Cola's a bit harder to mix,” she says. “Personally, I think it works well with whiskey style that includes a bit of char: bourbon, Tennessee whiskey.

What not to mix whiskey with? ›

Beer and whiskey are both beloved beverages, but they don't always mix well together. Mixing whiskey with beer can lead to an overwhelming and confusing taste. The flavors and carbonation of the beer can overpower the whiskey, resulting in a less enjoyable drinking experience.

What is the most common drink at parties? ›

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.

What's a good alcoholic drink to bring to a party? ›

Party drinks recipes
  • Mojito pitcher. A star rating of 5 out of 5. ...
  • Frozen margarita. A star rating of 4.8 out of 5. ...
  • Coconut & pineapple cooler. A star rating of 5 out of 5. ...
  • Raspberry mojito. A star rating of 3 out of 5. ...
  • Easy sangria. A star rating of 4.5 out of 5. ...
  • Blue lagoon. ...
  • Tropical coconut rum punch. ...
  • Pimm's.

What are the six famous co*cktails? ›

Embury's six basic drinks are the Daiquiri, the Jack Rose, the Manhattan, the Martini, the Old Fashioned, and the Sidecar.

What is the number one ordered co*cktail? ›

The 10 Most Popular co*cktails In The U.S.—According To NielsenIQ...
  1. Margarita. Alcoholic Lime Margarita with Tequila and Sea Salt. ...
  2. Martini. Simple and classic, the Martini continues to be [+] ...
  3. Moscow Mule. The Moscow Mule continues to be a favorite with [+] ...
  4. Espresso Martini. ...
  5. Old Fashioned. ...
  6. Mojito. ...
  7. Long Island Iced Tea. ...
  8. Spritz.
Apr 3, 2024

What are the 5 most popular co*cktails? ›

Top 10 of the Most Popular co*cktails of the World
  • DAIQUIRI.
  • DRY MARTINI. ...
  • WHISKEY SOUR. ...
  • ESPRESSO MARTINI. ...
  • MARGARITA. ...
  • MANHATTAN. ...
  • MOJITO. The Mojito might be Cuba's most popular contribution to co*cktail culture. ...
  • APEROL SPRITZ. If you haven't noticed the Aperol Spritz, you haven't been drinking (or on Instagram). ...

What are the big 6 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.

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