31 Whiskey Cocktails to Sip No Matter the Season
![31 Whiskey Cocktails to Sip No Matter the Season](https://assets.epicurious.com/photos/5e41a6d11d48a1000814dbb5/16:9/w_320%2Cc_limit/Sezerac_HERO_020520_545.jpg)
There are some whiskey cocktails that lend themselves to cooler weather: manhattans, old-fashioneds, boulevardiers…. Others, like a whiskey sour or a mint julep, lean into summer (though, frankly, a whiskey sour makes for an excellentThanksgiving cocktailas well). Whatever time of year it is where you are, there is a whiskey drink just right for the occasion.
Below you'll find a handful of our favorites made withrye,bourbon,scotch, and Irish whiskey. If you find one you absolutely love, feel free to play around with it. Try the sameclassic cocktailwith a few differentbottles of whiskey,or branch out into one of its manyriffs. Make abig batchto share with friends or stir up a drink to enjoy on your own with avintage cocktail bookat your side.
-
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton1/31
Old-Fashioned
The old-fashioned is about as classic as whiskey cocktails get, but there are still disagreements about how to make a good one. This version usessimple syrupto avoid grit, though many swear by a bitters-soaked sugar cube instead. Rye or bourbon? That’s your choice. You don’t need a mixing glass for this drink; you’ll make it right in the rocks glass or old-fashioned glass you’ll sip from.
-
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton. Glassware by Riedel.2/31
Manhattan
The manhattan cocktail dresses up whiskey with luscious sweet vermouth, plus a few dashes of Angostura bitters and/or orange bitters. It’s a great, simple vehicle for trying out new bottles—your best whiskey will shine in this drink. Look forhigh-quality maraschino cherriesfor the garnish.
-
Photo by Kelly Puleio3/31
Newton's Law
This easy whiskey recipe begins with bourbon and fresh lemon juice, sweetened with a touch of brown sugar and spiced apple butter, which you canbuyormake from fresh apples.
-
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert4/31
Classic Whiskey Sour
如果你只有这老式喝用sour mix, you’re in for a treat. This version of the classic whiskey cocktail is balanced and not too sweet.
-
-
Photo by Paul H. Christian, Food Styling by Michele Figliuolo5/31
Hot Toddy
Do you like a toddy best with scotch? With bourbon? With rye? This winter is a great time to test all the options.
-
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Tiffany Schleigh6/31
Boulevardier
Many of the greatest drinks are truly simple. And some of those reward a lifetime of experimentation. Try this classic boulevardier recipe, then try splitting the portion ofCampariamong your favorite bitter liqueurs.
-
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton7/31
Penicillin
It’s not shocking that this newish invention has become a modern classic; it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t like the combination of whiskey and ginger. For a fizzy spin, try theFleming Fizz, which adds sparkling wine to the formula.
-
Photo by Andy Sewell8/31
Fanciulli
If you read ourAfter Hours newsletter, you know that this crisp take on the manhattan is a new favorite of ours. There’s just a touch of pungent fernet in the mix, but it adds worlds of botanical flavor.
-
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton9/31
Sazerac
这是一个硬饮料尤其流行ular in New Orleans. Herbsaint came into common use when absinthe was outlawed, but feel free to use absinthe in your Sazerac instead if you have it on hand.
-
Photo by Kelly Puleio10/31
Sneaky Peat
Cranberrypunch recipesare often simple, fruity, and one-dimensional. But this one’s a full-on cocktail in a big bowl, pairing the tangy cranberries with oolong tea that’s been steeped a long, long time so it has a ton of tannin and a touch of bitterness. The central spirit: Scotch whisky, which gives the drink a bit of smoky, malty complexity.
-
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich11/31
Paper Plane
This simple, citrusy, slightly bitter concoction is one of our all-time favorites—if you haven’t tried this new-classic whiskey drink, be sure to put it on your list. It’s made withequal partscitrusy Amaro Nonino,Aperol, bourbon, and fresh lemon juice, shaken together with ice and strained into a coupe glass.
-
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman12/31
Bow & Arrow
This tangyhidden gem of a cocktailmixes bourbon with mezcal, plus pineapple, cinnamon, and fresh lime juice.
-
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Judy Haubert13/31
Blinker
Need more3-ingredient cocktailsin your repertoire? This combo of rye whiskey, fresh grapefruit juice, andgrenadineis a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
-
Photo by Shutterstock14/31
Irish Coffee
This classic drink requires hot, strong coffee, Irish whiskey, and freshly whipped cream. It’s the perfect winter sipper for serving with warmhomemade cookies.
-
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele15/31
Blood and Sand
The important thing to remember about this equal parts cocktail is that it’snota sour. That said, orange juice from extra-tart and bitter Seville oranges makes an amazing version, if you’re able to find any.
-
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton16/31
Fireplace Eggnog
This modern twist onclassic eggnogis, quite honestly, one of the best holiday drinks we’ve ever tried. It’s made with the traditional mix of dairy and eggs, plus smoky tea, high-proof bourbon, aged rum, and a touch of port. Prep a batch in advance and keep it in your fridge.
-
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Sean Dooley17/31
The Godfather Sour
Rev up youramaretto sourwith a touch of smoky scotch. We like it with a large ice cube and curled orange-peel rosette—optional, but fun if you’re trying to dial in yourcocktail garnishgame. You’ll use one egg white for every two drinks here so the flavors really shine.
-
Photo by Paul H. Christian, Food Styling by Michele Figliuolo18/31
Mint Julep
This version of the classic julep gets invigorating flavor from a fresh mint syrup that’s strained for easy drinking. If you don’t have a fridge orcountertop ice machineto make pebbled or crushed ice, have a friend help out with some smashing prior to your next Kentucky Derby party.
-
Photo by Andy Sewell19/31
Kentucky Buck
Bookmark this one for spring: Strawberries shine in this tall, refreshing, gingery cocktail, made with bourbon, fresh lemon, muddled berries, and spicy ginger beer.
-
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne20/31
Cowboy Killer
This smoky variation on theBrooklyn cocktailis made with anise-scented Peychaud’s bitters, almondy maraschino liqueur, and peaty Islay scotch. It’s the kind of thing you want to drink in front of a roaring fire, with a salty snack close at hand. You’ll express the lemon peel over the top to add its oils to the drink, but then discard before sipping.
-
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne21/31
Bizzy Izzy Highball
This whiskey and sherry drink, made with fresh pineapple and lemon, feels completely modern, but it's actuallyover 100 years old.
-
Photo by Paul H. Christian, Food Styling by Michele Figliuolo22/31
Brown Derby
A simple cocktail, and simply delicious. Bourbon meets fresh grapefruit juice and honey syrup in perfect balance.
-
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich23/31
Kensington
Sometimes the best cocktail ingredients are already in your kitchen—this bourbon drink is sweetened with a spoonful of marmalade.
-
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou24/31
Paradise Apple
This one tastes like fall in a glass: Dry Riesling adds tangy, fruity flavor to a mix of bourbon, dried figs, honey, elderflower liqueur, and fresh apple cider. Serve in a stemmed glass and garnish with a dehydrated apple to really complete the look.
-
Sheri Giblin25/31
Rittenhouse Inn Wassail Punch
Amp up your apple cider with tart cranberry juice, bourbon, ginger, allspice, and cloves. A quick simmer brings it all together.
-
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton. Glassware by Riedel.26/31
Little Italy
Lovers of the manhattan should try this variation from Audrey Saunders of Pegu Club in NYC. It starts with rye and vermouth, then adds Cynar—a bittersweet Italian liqueur you might recognize by the artichoke on the label—for deep, vegetal bitterness.
-
Photo by Paul H. Christian, Food Styling by Michele Figliuolo27/31
Gold Rush
Here’s a super-simple happy hour drink recipe: bourbon, fresh lemon, and honey, shaken well. It’s a whiskey drink that’ll please lovers of fresh, tart cocktails too.
-
Dan Monick28/31
The New York Sour
This stunning drink gets a float of fruity red wine on top of the simple whiskey sour. Just pour the wine slowly over the back of a spoon on top of the shaken drink.
-
Photo by Paul H. Christian, Food Styling by Michele Figliuolo29/31
Vieux Carré
Named for the French Quarter of New Orleans, this classic cocktail is multilayered and boozy. It’s made with rye, cognac, sweet vermouth, andBénédictine, an herbal liqueur that’s sweetened with a touch of honey.
-
Joseph De Leo30/31
Tipperary
If you can get your hands on some green Chartreuse, this pre-Prohibition Irish whiskey cocktail is worth an ounce.
-
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton31/31
Smoke Show
Looking for whiskey cocktails that can pull double duty as dessert? This luscious combination of bourbon, dark rum, heavy cream, and orange liqueur shines when mixed with an easy cinnamon syrup. Carefully flaming the cinnamon stick boosts the aroma of the drink.
ByAl Sotack
ByRoger Kamholz
ByJoe SevierandThe Editors of Epicurious
ByThe Editors of Epicurious
ByThe Editors of Epicurious
ByThe Editors of Epicurious
ByJoe Sevier
ByJoe Sevier