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I’m excited to explore some of the best bourbon cocktails you can make at home. Bourbon is a versatile spirit that shines in many classic and creative mixed drinks. These 16 cocktails showcase bourbon’s rich flavor and prove it pairs well with a variety of ingredients.
From refreshing summer sippers to cozy winter warmers, this list has something for every bourbon lover. I’ll cover traditional favorites like the Old Fashioned and Whiskey Sour, as well as some modern twists that put a new spin on this beloved American whiskey.
Whether you’re new to bourbon or a longtime fan, you’re sure to find some delicious new drink ideas to try.
1. Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is a classic bourbon cocktail that never goes out of style. I love how it showcases the bourbon’s flavors.
To make an Old Fashioned, you’ll need:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 sugar cube
- 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Orange peel
Place the sugar cube in an Old Fashioned glass and saturate with bitters. Add a splash of water and muddle. Fill the glass with ice, pour in the bourbon, and stir gently. Garnish with an orange peel.
I recommend using a high-quality bourbon like Four Roses Single Barrel or Bulleit. Their spicy, bold flavors stand up nicely to the sweetness.
2. Mint Julep
The Mint Julep is a classic bourbon cocktail that’s perfect for sipping on a hot summer day. I love how refreshing it is.
To make a Mint Julep, you’ll need:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 8-10 fresh mint leaves
- Crushed ice
Gently muddle the mint leaves with the simple syrup in a julep cup or highball glass. Add the bourbon and fill the glass with crushed ice. Stir until the outside of the glass frosts. Garnish with a mint sprig.
I recommend using a high-proof bourbon like Wild Turkey 101 or Knob Creek 9 Year to stand up to the ice and mint.
3. Whiskey Sour
I love a good Whiskey Sour. It’s a simple yet tasty bourbon cocktail that’s easy to make at home.
To mix one up, I combine 2 ounces of bourbon, 1 ounce of fresh lemon juice, and 3/4 ounces of simple syrup in a shaker with ice.
I shake it well and strain it into a glass filled with ice. For an extra silky texture, I sometimes add 1/2 ounce of egg white before shaking.
A cherry and orange slice makes nice garnishes. The sweet, sour, and bourbon flavors blend perfectly in this classic drink.
4. Boulevardier
The Boulevardier is a classic cocktail that’s like a bourbon-based Negroni. It’s one of my favorite drinks for its rich, complex flavor profile.
To make a Boulevardier, you’ll need:
- 1.5 oz bourbon
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
Mix the ingredients in a glass with ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a rock glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with an orange peel.
I like using a high-rye bourbon to complement the Campari’s bitterness. The sweet vermouth balances everything out nicely.
5. Bourbon Smash
The Bourbon Smash is a refreshing cocktail that’s perfect for warm weather. I love how it combines the rich flavor of bourbon with fresh fruit and herbs.
To make a Bourbon Smash, you’ll need:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 4-6 fresh mint leaves
- 2 lemon wedges
- Ice
Muddle the mint and lemon in a shaker. Add the bourbon, simple syrup, and ice. Shake well and strain into an ice-filled glass. Garnish with a mint sprig and lemon wheel.
The muddled mint and lemon give this drink a bright, zesty kick that balances nicely with the bourbon. It’s simple to make but tastes complex and delicious.
6. Brown Derby
The Brown Derby is a classic bourbon cocktail I love for its simplicity and balance. It combines bourbon, grapefruit juice, and honey syrup for a refreshing drink with a touch of sweetness.
To make a Brown Derby:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
- 0.5 oz honey syrup
I shake all ingredients with ice, then strain them into a chilled coupe glass. For garnish, I like to add a twist of grapefruit peel.
The tart grapefruit pairs nicely with the bourbon’s caramel notes, while honey adds subtle sweetness. It’s a great cocktail for bourbon fans who want something lighter than an Old Fashioned.
7. Kentucky Mule
The Kentucky Mule is a tasty twist on the classic Moscow Mule. I love how it swaps vodka for bourbon, giving the drink a rich, warm flavor.
To make one, I fill a copper mug with ice. Then I pour in 2 ounces of bourbon and 1/2 ounce of fresh lime juice. I top it off with about 4 ounces of spicy ginger beer.
I give it a quick stir and garnish with a lime wedge and sprig of mint. The bourbon’s sweetness balances nicely with the zesty ginger and tart lime.
It’s a refreshing cocktail that’s perfect for sipping on a warm day. The copper mug keeps it ice cold too.
8. Paper Plane
The Paper Plane is a modern classic cocktail I love for its perfect balance of flavors. It’s a simple yet sophisticated drink that’s easy to make at home.
Here’s the recipe:
- 3/4 oz bourbon
- 3/4 oz Aperol
- 3/4 oz Amaro Nonino
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
I combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake well. Then I strain it into a chilled coupe glass.
The bourbon provides a solid base, while the Aperol and Amaro Nonino add complexity. The lemon juice brings brightness and ties everything together.
9. Gold Rush
The Gold Rush is a tasty bourbon cocktail I love making at home. It’s a simple mix of bourbon, lemon juice, and honey syrup.
To make one, I combine:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz honey syrup
I shake all the ingredients with ice, then strain into a rock glass over fresh ice. For garnish, I like to add a lemon twist.
The honey syrup gives this drink a nice sweetness that balances out the tart lemon and oaky bourbon. It’s refreshing but still packs a punch.
10. Bourbon Rickey
The Bourbon Rickey is a refreshing cocktail that’s perfect for warm days. It’s simple to make and requires just a few ingredients.
To make a Bourbon Rickey, you’ll need:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- Club soda
- Ice
Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour in the bourbon and lime juice. Top with club soda and give it a gentle stir. Garnish with a lime wedge if you like.
I find this drink crisp and tangy. The lime adds a zesty kick that balances the bourbon’s sweetness. It’s a great choice for bourbon lovers who want something light and easy to sip.
11. New York Sour
I love the New York Sour for its perfect balance of flavors. This classic cocktail combines bourbon whiskey with fresh lemon juice and simple syrup.
To make it, I shake 2 oz bourbon, 1 oz lemon juice, and 0.5 oz simple syrup with ice. I strain it into a rock glass over fresh ice.
The finishing touch is a float of red wine on top. I carefully pour about 0.5 oz red wine over the back of a spoon to create a beautiful layered effect.
Some bartenders add an optional egg white for a silky texture. I enjoy both versions, with or without the egg white.
12. Manhattan
The Manhattan is a classic bourbon cocktail that never goes out of style. I love its simple yet sophisticated flavor profile.
To make a Manhattan, I mix:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters
I stir the ingredients with ice, then strain them into a chilled coupe glass. For the finishing touch, I garnish it with a cherry cocktail.
The rich bourbon pairs perfectly with the herbal vermouth and aromatic bitters. It’s a timeless drink that’s easy to make at home but still feels special.
13. Bourbon Julep
The Bourbon Julep is a refreshing twist on the classic Mint Julep. I love how it combines the rich flavors of bourbon with cooling mint.
To make one, you’ll need:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 8-10 fresh mint leaves
- Crushed ice
Gently muddle the mint leaves with the simple syrup in a julep cup or tall glass. Add the bourbon and fill with crushed ice. Stir until the outside of the glass frosts. Garnish with a mint sprig and serve with a straw.
This cocktail is perfect for sipping on a warm day. The mint provides a crisp contrast to the bourbon’s smooth warmth.
14. Bourbon Sazerac
The Bourbon Sazerac is a twist on the classic New Orleans cocktail. It swaps rye whiskey for bourbon, creating a smoother, slightly sweeter flavor profile.
To make a Bourbon Sazerac, you’ll need:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 sugar cube
- 2-3 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
- Absinthe rinse
- Lemon peel for garnish
Rinse a chilled glass with absinthe. In a mixing glass, muddle the sugar cube with bitters. Add bourbon and ice, then stir until cold. Strain into the prepared glass. Twist a lemon peel over the drink to express the oils, then discard or use as garnish.
15. Bourbon Milk Punch
Bourbon Milk Punch is a creamy, indulgent cocktail perfect for brunch or dessert. It combines the rich flavors of bourbon with the smoothness of milk and a touch of sweetness.
Here’s a simple recipe for Bourbon Milk Punch:
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 4 oz whole milk
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- Freshly grated nutmeg for garnish
Instructions:
- Add bourbon, milk, simple syrup, and vanilla extract to a shaker with ice.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Grate fresh nutmeg on top for garnish.
This cocktail is easy to customize. I like to adjust the sweetness by changing the amount of simple syrup. For a festive touch, I sometimes add a cinnamon stick as a garnish.
16. Churchill Downs
The Churchill Downs cocktail pays tribute to the famous racetrack that hosts the Kentucky Derby. I love how it captures the spirit of this iconic event in a glass.
To make it, I mix 2 ounces of bourbon, 1 ounce of sweet vermouth, and 1/2 ounce of Benedictine liqueur in a mixing glass with ice. I stir until chilled, then strain into a coupe glass.
For the finishing touch, I express an orange peel over the drink and drop it in as a garnish. The result is a smooth, complex cocktail with hints of herbs and citrus.
This elegant drink is perfect for sipping while watching the races or enjoying a sophisticated evening at home.
