25 Bourbon Cocktails to Sip All Year Long
Updated: Apr. 25, 2024
There's a bourbon cocktail for every season: Mint Juleps for spring, slushies and smashes for summer, and hot toddies and spiked lattes when it's cold. We have recipes for all the classics, plus new favorites that will definitely keep everyone happy.
When it comes to choosing whiskey for your cocktails, it’s hard to pass up the sweet oakiness of good ol’ American bourbon. (Yes, there is a difference between whiskey and bourbon.) It’s the base spirit of many classics, including Kentucky’s favorite mint julep, but is equally good in recipes for whiskey drinks that traditionally use rye, like a Manhattan or old-fashioned.
Any way you shake it, bourbon cocktails are delicious all year long, from seasonal smashes for hot summer days to toasty tipples perfect for cold nights. Get your fix here!
Kentucky Mule
This variation of a Moscow mule puts Kentucky bourbon front and center. Mixed with ginger beer and lime juice, serve the sparkling cocktail over ice with lime slices and mint sprigs. It’s one of many Kentucky Derby cocktails to sip during the races.
Milk Punch
In its original form, clarified milk punch recipes date back hundreds of years. In the New Orleans version, the sweet, milk-white cocktail is a French Quarter favorite, either as a Mardi Gras drink or anytime.
Bourbon Slush
Make big batches of this slushie drink for holidays or picnics. In addition to orange juice, lemonade and bourbon, the recipe calls for black tea, but feel free to experiment with different teas according to your taste.
Manhattan
Some Manhattan drinkers prefer their cocktail to be made with rye whiskey, others like it with bourbon. The latter lends hints of vanilla and sweetness, whether it’s served up or on the rocks.
Mint Julep
No Kentucky Derby party should be without a proper mint julep. But really, the classic cocktail made with mint, simple syrup and bourbon is delightful anytime.
Belmont Breeze
You can use any kind of whiskey you like in this breezy summer sipper, but the vanilla notes of bourbon work particularly well. This is a good mix to make for batch cocktails, and then add the sodas over ice per serving.
Whiskey Sour
A classic sour is one of the oldest cocktails, traditionally made with a spirit, citrus and sugar. For this whiskey sour, you can use pre-made sour mix to keep things simple.
Brandy Eggnog
You can go the store-bought route for eggnog, but homemade tastes so much better. Apricot brandy is the secret ingredient in this classic holiday cocktail, but there’s just enough bourbon (and rum!) to keep things interesting.
Kentucky Lemonade
With mint, bourbon, ginger ale and lemon, this is like three cocktails in one. The mashup becomes a deliciously fizzy party punch that you can serve any time of year.
Boulevardier
If you love the idea of a Negroni but are more keen on brown spirits than gin, then this underrated classic is for you. A boulevardier is basically a Negroni with bourbon, Campari and sweet vermouth. It’s a smooth way to end the day or start the evening festivities.
Slow-Cooker Mulled Wine
Bourbon, fruit juices and warm spices mingle in the slow cooker for a festive holiday drink. It will definitely keep you cozy during those cold winter months.
Old-Fashioned
It’s all in the name, really. An old-fashioned, a classic cocktail that dates back to the 1800s, is sheer perfection made with just a few ingredients. Use different flavored bitters, whiskies, sweeteners and fruits to customize your drink.
Whiskey-Brandy Slush
With equal parts brandy and bourbon, plus lemonade, orange juice and lemon-lime soda, this slushy drink is everything a holiday celebration should be in a glass. Garnish with cranberries or citrus slices, depending on the season.
Whiskey Smash
The biggest difference between a mint julep and a whiskey smash is the muddler. Take 3 lemon wedges and muddle them in a cocktail shaker, which allows the oils to release from the peel. Add 2 oz. bourbon, 3/4 oz. simple syrup, a few mint leaves and ice, then shake until chilled. Pour over fresh ice in a rocks glass and serve with a sprig of mint.
Ginger Mint Julep
A classic mint julep is just the starting point for this drink. Make a simple syrup with mint, then top with ginger beer before serving. It’s great for Kentucky Derby Day or any time!
Cranberry White Sangria
Made with cranberry, orange and lemon juices, plus white wine and pineapple soda, this sangria is a delicious fruit bomb. Make sure to have plenty of fresh fruit to garnish each glass.
Honey-Bourbon Hot Chocolate
The only thing that could make homemade hot chocolate better is by adding a bit of honey and bourbon. It’s perfect for those really cold nights!
Apple Cider Smash
This is a great way to use up those apples from the orchard. Combine chopped apples, bourbon, brandy and sparkling cider for a cocktail that’s as crisp as a perfect autumn day.
Cranberry Bourbon
Make this cranberry-infused bourbon a few weeks before the holidays, which is delicious served neat or in old-fashioneds and Manhattans. Serve cocktails when celebrating with friends and family, or, even better, give small bottles as gifts!
Gold Rush
At first glance, a Gold Rush is basically a whiskey sour that’s made with honey instead of sugar. But the combination, along with a splash of ginger beer, takes the classic to a whole new place.
Bourbon Chocolate Pumpkin Latte
This spiked latte is everything great about pumpkin season—only better. Don’t forget the whipped cream!
Paper Plane
Created only in 2008, this spirit-forward cocktail, made with equal parts bourbon, Amaro Nonino, Aperol and lemon juice, has nuanced herbal and bitter notes. Put 3/4 oz. of each in a cocktail shaker with ice, shake until well-chilled, and pour into a coup or rocks glass.
Hot Toddy
Depending on which origin story you believe, the first hot toddies were simply a way to defeat cold weather or were seen as medicine from the get-go. At its core, a hot toddy is simply made with bourbon, lemon and honey, but there can be many variations. It’s so good, you don’t have to be sick to sip one.
Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail
Everyone loves apple cider during the cooler months, and with fresh rosemary and bitters, it’s a perfect vehicle for this seasonal bourbon apple cider cocktail.
Blackberry Bourbon Smash
Once you have the classic whiskey smash down, it’s time to start adding some fruit. For a blackberry smash, muddle 2-3 berries in a cocktail shaker with lime wedges and a few sprigs of mint. Add 2 oz. of bourbon, 3/4 oz. simple syrup and ice, and shake until chilled. Serve over ice topped with club soda. Try other fruits, too, like peaches, strawberries and cherries.
Originally Published: September 27, 2022
