10 of the Best Bourbon Drinks and Cocktails with Recipes

What is Bourbon

Bourbon is a popular and iconic American whiskey and probably needs no further introduction. However, the interesting part is, this barrel-aged spirit, usually made from corn, gets its name from the French Bourbon dynasty, though no one knows how or why. Some people also believe that the name was derived from either Bourbon County in Kentucky or else, from the Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Whichever way, this spirit first came into existence during the 18^th century, and since then, it never looked back.

Here we are for you again with the best and choicest Bourbon drinks for you to make at home. Go ahead!

How to Make Bourbon Mixed Drinks and Cocktails

1. Refreshing Bourbon Mixed-Fruit Party Punch for a Crowd

In a large mixing jar or punch bowl, mix together 4 parts of bourbon whiskey (like Maker’s Mark, Bulleit Bourbon, Knob Creek, or Wicked Harvest), 1 part of each of orange juice, pineapple juice, lemonade and ginger ale (or ginger beer), and 8 parts of club soda. Now, arrange cocktail glasses and pour this mix over ice cubes. Add a dash of Angostura bitters in each and garnish with a slice of orange before you serve your guests.

[If you are making this long drink for a Halloween or Christmas party, you can choose from any of the blood red fruit drinks like cherry, pomegranate or cranberry, instead of orange and pineapple.]

2. ‘Bourbon Daisy’ Spring-&-Summer Energy Drink

In a shaker, mix 2 oz of bourbon, 3/4 hand-smashed mint leaves, ½ tsp of each of grenadine, lemon juice, and superfine sugar. Transfer into a cocktail glass over crushed ice. Garnish with rosemary and basil sprigs along with an orange or a lemon rind.

[For the ‘Bourbon Gold Rush’ cocktail, just omit the grenadine and replace the sugar with honey syrup. If you want the ‘Mint Julep’, omit the lemon juice and replace the grenadine syrup with plain sugar syrup and 2 tsp water, and drink on the rocks.]

3. Bourbon-mixed ‘Lift’ Drink for House Parties

Shake together for 10 seconds 2 oz bourbon, along with ½ oz of each of heavy cream, coffee liquor, almond orgeat syrup and a pinch of cinnamon powder. Pour the mix into a tall cocktail glass and fill the rest with club soda, holding the bottle above 5-6 inches from the glass so as to ‘lift’ the foam. Serve immediately.

4. Easy Bourbon-based New Year’s Breakfast Drink

Half fill a shaker with ice cubes. Now, pour ½ oz of each of bourbon, premixed eggnog and Bailey’s Irish Cream, ½ oz of amaretto, 1 tsp of espresso coffee powder (alternately, a drop of vanilla essence, whichever flavor you prefer) and 1 oz milk, and shake for about 20 seconds. Transfer the mix into an old-fashioned glass. Garnish it with crushed nuts and 1-2 tsp of Fruity Pebbles cereal.

5. ‘Daiquiri Hurricane’ Fusion Dinner Cocktail for Ladies’ Party

In a glass, combine ½ oz bourbon whiskey, Bacardi white rum, and chilled rose champagne (or beer), each, ¼ oz triple sec, ½ oz of lemon juice, along with a dash of grenadine, apple cider and Coke from the top (not to be stirred). Garnish with a small scoop of ice cream and sliced peach/apple and enjoy your women’s party.

6. Healthy ‘Bourbon Ball’ Thanksgiving Dessert Cocktail Drink

In a mixing glass, stir mix 2 oz bourbon, ½ oz of each of creme de cacao and Campari (this acts as an aperitif), and ¼ oz hazelnut liqueur. Strain into cocktail glasses and serve with a garnish of chocolate shavings.

[With a minor replacement of the ingredients, you can try to make the traditional ‘Negroni’. For that, simply omit the hazelnut liqueur and replace the creme de cacao with sweet vermouth.]

7. Quick Standard Holiday-Nightcap Shots Using Bourbon

First, make a mixture with equal quantities of bourbon and rye. Now arrange shot glasses and layer ⅓ oz of each of Kahlua, Baileys Irish Cream, and the bourbon-rye mix, in the order as mentioned. Shoot in.

8. Popular Smokey-Bourbon-Sazerac Long Drink

Arrange old-fashioned glass, and pour in 1½ oz bourbon whiskey with 1-2 small dashes of absinthe. Drop in a sugar cube pre-saturated with Sazerac’s Peychaud’s Bitters. Stir a little and serve with an orange peel.

9. Classic Low-Calorie ‘Autumn Rickey’ Branch Fall-Cocktail

Like we all know, a ‘branch cocktail’ means a cocktail made with plain, spring or mineral water.
To make this drink, first crack ice and half fill a highball glass with it. Squeeze half of a lime half into this and throw it in. Next, pour 1½ oz bourbon and ½ oz Maple Grove Farms’ sugar-free low-cal maple syrup in it. Fill the rest with plain chilled water. Stir lightly and serve with lime wheels.

[You can replace the water with club soda if you wish.]

10. Simple Hot Bourbon Refreshing Winter Drinks for Men

In a large bowl, thoroughly mix 4 cups of bourbon whiskey, 2 tsp of powdered sugar, 1 pint light cream, 4 oz amaretto, and 1½ quarts of hot coffee. When done, serve hot or warm in coffee cups, topped with whipped cream.

So, now that you have an idea about a few of the best drinks to make with bourbon, it’s for you to try them at home. Try these unusual recipes, and we are sure you will remember us when you utter your first ‘yummy’!