Whiskey Cocktails
Explore whiskey cocktails made with whiskey, bourbon, rye whiskey and Irish whiskey. Choose a classic below to see the ingredients, measurements and step-by-step preparation.
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Add ingredients to My Bar →Whiskey cocktail recipes
Boulevardier
A whiskey-led Negroni variation with Campari and sweet vermouth.
Brown Derby
A bourbon sour combining whiskey with fresh grapefruit juice and honey syrup.
Gold Rush
A smooth bourbon sour combining fresh lemon with rich honey syrup.
Manhattan
Rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and aromatic bitters served up.
Mint Julep
Bourbon, mint and sugar served over abundant crushed ice.
Old Fashioned
Spirit-forward whiskey classic sweetened and seasoned with bitters.
Paper Plane
A modern bourbon cocktail balancing bittersweet amaro, Aperol and fresh lemon.
Sazerac
A New Orleans rye whiskey classic with bitters and an absinthe rinse.
About whiskey cocktails
Whiskey cocktails cover a broad range of styles because different whiskeys bring different flavors to a drink. Bourbon can add rounder and sweeter notes, rye often provides a spicier character, and Irish whiskey is commonly lighter and smoother. These spirits work particularly well in both strong stirred classics and balanced citrus-based drinks.
What mixes well with whiskey?
Sugar and bitters are classic partners for whiskey. The Old Fashioned uses them to complement the whiskey without hiding its character, while the Sazerac combines rye whiskey with sugar, Peychaud's bitters and absinthe for a more aromatic variation on the spirit-forward style.
Whiskey also works well with citrus, vermouth and warm ingredients. Lemon and sweetness create the balanced Whiskey Sour, sweet vermouth appears in the Manhattan and Boulevardier, and coffee or hot water takes whiskey into warming drinks such as Irish Coffee and the Hot Toddy.
Whiskey cocktail styles to explore
For strong, stirred whiskey cocktails, start with classics such as the Old Fashioned, Manhattan or Boulevardier. Each keeps whiskey at the center while using bitters, vermouth or bitter aperitif ingredients to shape the final drink.
For a brighter style, the Whiskey Sour balances whiskey with lemon and sweetness. The Mint Julep combines bourbon with mint and sweetness, while Irish Coffee and the Hot Toddy show how naturally whiskey can work in warm drinks.