The Best Whiskey Cocktails to Try at Home (And Which Bottles Work Best)

The art of mixing spirits at home has never been more accessible or rewarding. With a handful of classic recipes, proper glassware and quality bottles, you can create bar-worthy drinks in the comfort of your own kitchen.

Enter whiskey. As much as snobs might demand that it only be enjoyed as it is, without any mixers, they make a pretty mean cocktail - that is, if you know which ones to use. Whether you are hosting friends for a laid-back evening or raising a toast to a special occasion, we’ve got recipes and bottle recommendations that will help you master the best whiskey cocktails at home.

Setting Up Your Home Bar

Before diving into recipes, assemble a few essential tools. A sturdy shaker, a long-handled bar spoon, a hawthorne strainer and a jigger will cover most drink preparations. Select a variety of glassware. Think rocks glasses for stirred drinks, coupes for sours and tall Collins or highball glasses for fizzy pours. Always keep ice on hand. Large, clear cubes or spheres chill without watering down your cocktail too quickly. Finally, stock your bar with one or two bottles each of bourbon and rye, plus sweet and dry vermouth. 

We know, we know. This may seem like a long and expensive list. But every little thing is worth its weight in gold when you’re making the best whiskey cocktails. Find a little restaurant supply shop, you know the ones with tons of plates, pots, and pans being sold. Those are usually stocked with more affordable tools. We’re sure you’ll find good-quality items online as well.

Best Cocktails with Whiskey

The Old Fashioned

Few drinks evoke elegance like the old-school stirred classic. To craft it, place one sugar cube in your rocks glass and add two dashes of aromatic bitters. Muddle gently with a few drops of water until the cube dissolves. Add two ounces of a rich, barrel-aged bourbon (Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon or Four Roses Small Batch are top picks), then fill the glass with a single large ice cube. 

Stir until the drink is well chilled. Garnish with an orange peel twisted over the surface to release its oils. This recipe highlights why many consider the old fashioned one of the best bourbon whiskey cocktails you can make at home.

Also Read - The Art of Scotch Whiskey Tasting

Whiskey Sour

For a frothy, tangy experience, nothing beats this shaken favorite. In a shaker, combine two ounces of Maker’s Mark bourbon, one ounce of fresh lemon juice and three-quarters of an ounce of simple syrup. Add an optional egg white for silky texture. Yes, you read that right. Pasteurized eggs aren’t a must, but it’ll give you peace of mind. Dry-shake (no ice) for 15 seconds to emulsify, then add ice and shake again until cold. 

Strain into a chilled coupe glass and top with a few drops of bitters. The smooth profile of Woodford Reserve or Elijah Craig also works beautifully here. This drink ranks among the best bourbon whiskey cocktails for summer gatherings or elegant brunches.

Manhattan

When you reach for a bottle of spicy, peppery rye, this venerable blend is the perfect showcase. In a mixing glass filled with ice, pour two ounces of Rittenhouse Bottled in Bond Rye, one ounce of high-quality sweet vermouth such as Carpano Antica, and two dashes of Angostura bitters. Stir until properly chilled and strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with a Luxardo cherry. 

For those seeking a more robust profile, try Bulleit Rye or WhistlePig 10-Year-Old Rye. The Manhattan remains on every list of the best rye whiskey cocktails thanks to its seamless marriage of grain spice and fortified wine.

Boulevardier

For lovers of bitter-sweet balance, this American cousin of the Negroni is irresistible. In a mixing glass, combine one ounce of Buffalo Trace bourbon, one ounce of Campari and one ounce of Dolin Rouge vermouth. Add ice and stir until the mixture is well chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over ice and garnish with an orange twist. 

This drink highlights bourbon’s caramel and vanilla notes against Campari’s herbal bitterness. It often tops lists of the best cocktails with whiskey and shines in autumn months or as an aperitif before dinner.

Sazerac

Step into the Big Easy with this storied rye-based drink. Chill a rocks glass, then rinse it with a splash of absinthe. In a second glass, muddle a sugar cube with two dashes of Peychaud’s bitters, add two ounces of a bold rye such as Templeton or Old Overholt and stir with ice. Discard the absinthe rinse, then strain the mixed spirit into the prepared glass. Garnish with a lemon peel. 

The Sazerac’s invigorating combination of licorice-y absinthe, aromatic bitters, and robust rye makes it one of the best rye whiskey cocktails for late-evening indulgence.

Mint Julep

When the temperature climbs, reach for this refreshing blend. Muddle a handful of fresh mint leaves with half an ounce of simple syrup in a julep cup or rocks glass. Fill the vessel with crushed ice, then pour in two ounces of a smooth, sweet bourbon (Woodford Reserve or Maker’s Mark are classic choices). Stir gently until the cup frosts, then top with more crushed ice and a sprig of mint. 

The mint julep stands among the best bourbon whiskey cocktails for backyard barbecues or shaded porch sipping.

Highball

For an easy-drinking serve that highlights whiskey’s subtler notes, this lengthened style is hard to beat. Fill a highball glass with ice and add two ounces of your favorite whiskey. We opt for a lighter-flavored bottle such as Four Roses Single Barrel or a Canadian blend like Crown Royal. Top with chilled club soda or ginger ale and stir gently. Garnish with a lemon wheel. 

The highball’s clean profile and bright carbonation make it one of the best whiskey cocktails for casual afternoons when you want refreshment without fuss.

Check Out - How to Pair Whiskey with Food?

Good Luck on those Whiskey Cocktails!

No one can reasonably memorize and whip up whiskey cocktails on the fly when they’re just starting out. We get it. You can try mastering one or two at first and work your way down the list. Soon, you’ll be a barista in your own right! If you want to stock up on supplies, look no further than Country Wine & Spirits!