9 Classic & Trending Bourbon Cocktails for Year-Round Sipping

Bourbon cocktails are a timeless staple in the world of mixology, cherished for their complexity and depth. Whether you're a seasoned mixologist or a Bourbon novice eager to explore, every cocktail tells a tale of its own, rooted in history and craftsmanship.

Here, at Taster's Club, we're thrilled to share something special with you. Our very own Taster's Club mixologists have curated a list of their favorite Bourbon cocktails, each paired perfectly with a whiskey that elevates its unique flavor profile. This isn't just about mixing drinks; it's about understanding the art of pairing and savoring every sip with intention. Let's dive in.

Bourbon Cocktails for any Occasion With Bottle Recommendations

Here are the recipes for the cocktails you requested, along with a recommended bottle of Bourbon for each one available in our online bottle shop:

Gold Rush

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon whiskey
• 3/4 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey and hot water)
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice

Recipe

• Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
• Shake and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
• Garnish with a lemon twist.

Recommended Bottle: Bardstown Origin Series™ Bottled-in-Bond

The Origin Series comes from one of Kentucky's most technical distilleries. This Bottled-in-Bond bourbon follows strict 1897 standards with one distillery, one season, at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and a true 100 proof. This classic approach makes it extremely versatile for any bourbon cocktail, for an elevated sip, every time.

Why It's Perfect for the Gold Rush

With just bourbon, honey, and lemon, the bold bottled-in-bond bourbon cuts through the honey and lemon, leaving enough sweetness and tang to perfectly complement the rich flavor profile that develops from 4 years of aging.

Region: United States | ABV: 50.0% | 750ml

Purchase Bardstown Origin Series Bottled-in-Bond

Mint Julep

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon whiskey
• 1 oz simple syrup
• 6-8 mint leaves

Recipe

• Add mint leaves and simple syrup to a julep cup or rocks glass.
• Muddle gently to release the mint oils.
• Add crushed ice and bourbon, and stir until the glass frosts over.
• Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

Recommended Bottle: Castle & Key Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Castle & Key sits on the restored grounds of the Old Taylor Distillery, which was left for dead until it was revived. Then, in 2022, the team released their first bourbon distilled on-site in almost five decades. It’s made on a Vendome copper column still, non-chill filtered, and blended just a few dozen barrels at a time. It’s approachable, and the deep history creates a perfect experience for that intermediate explorer or enthusiast looking for something fun and accessible.

Why It's Perfect for the Mint Julep

This non-chill-filtered, small-batch bourbon holds up extremely well with the powerful mint, giving it some layers while keeping the syrup's sweetness all the way through.

Region: United States | ABV: 50.0% | 750ml

Purchase Castle & Key Small Batch

Old Fashioned

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon whiskey
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 orange peel

Recipe

• Add simple syrup and bitters to a rocks glass.
• Add ice and whiskey, and stir until chilled.
• Express the oils from the orange peel over the drink, and garnish with the peel.

Recommended Bottle: Russell's Reserve 10 Year Old Bourbon

Russell’s Reserve 10-Year Bourbon is a tribute to the legendary father-son duo, Jimmy and Eddie Russell, at the Wild Turkey distillery. This bourbon is aged a full decade in deeply charred American oak barrels. What sets it apart is its small-batch production and aging process.

Why It's Perfect for the Old Fashioned

This bourbon provides a balance of caramel sweetness, warm oak, and a hint of spice that pairs brilliantly with bitters and sugar of an Old Fashioned. A true classic.

Region: Kentucky, USA | ABV: 45.0% | 750ml

Purchase Russell’s Reserve 10-Year Bourbon

Whiskey Sour

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon whiskey
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 1 egg white (optional)

Recipe

• Add all ingredients to a shaker without ice and shake vigorously to emulsify the egg white (if using).
• Add ice to the shaker and shake again to chill.
• Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.

Recommended Bottle: Old Grand-Dad 114 Proof Bourbon

Old Grand-Dad 114 is a high-proof bourbon that’s crafted meticulously with a mash of corn, rye, and malted barley. This whiskey undergoes a traditional distillation and aging process for a full-bodied bourbon. It's then aged in charred oak barrels for a beautiful flavor.

Why It's Perfect for the Whiskey Sour

With its high proof and bold flavor, the Old Grand-Dad 114 cuts through the citrus in a Whiskey Sour to add depth and complexity to your cocktail.

Region: Kentucky, USA | ABV: 57.0% | 750ml

Purchase Old Grand-Dad 114 Proof Bourbon

Kentucky Mule

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon whiskey
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
• 4 oz ginger beer

Recipe

• Add bourbon and lime juice to a copper mug or highball glass filled with ice.
• Top with ginger beer and stir gently.

Recommended Bottle: Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Woodford Reserve stands out as a top choice for bourbon enthusiasts. It’s produced at one of Kentucky's oldest distilleries, the Woodford Reserve. Unlike many brands, this bourbon utilizes a unique triple-distillation method in copper pot stills. A technique known to enhance smoothness and add complexity. The bourbon is then aged in handcrafted charred oak barrels, which are toasted before charring.

Why It's Perfect for the Kentucky Mule

Woodford Reserve’s rich and full-bodied profile has hints of dried fruit, nutmeg, and toffee that upgrade the sweet and smoky side of an Old Fashioned.

Region: Kentucky, USA | ABV: 45.20% | 750ml

Purchase Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Maple Bourbon Smash

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon whiskey
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz maple syrup
• 4-5 mint leaves

Recipe

• Add mint leaves and maple syrup to a shaker and muddle gently.
• Add bourbon and lemon juice, and shake with ice.
• Strain into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice.

Recommended Bottle: Widow Jane 10 Year Bourbon

This incredible 10-year-old blended bourbon goes through a unique process, with each bottle proofed with mineral-rich limestone water drawn from the historic Widow Jane Mine in Rosendale, New York. That pure cave water and the long maturation give it a softness and minerality you simply won't find in a standard bourbon.

Why It's Perfect for the Maple Bourbon Smash

Widow Jane 10 Year Bourbon holds extremely well against the strong, muddled fruits and maple syrup. The result is a sophisticated sip with beautifully smooth bourbon notes that peak through the sweetness and mint. The minerality adds another layer you can’t find with other bourbons.

Region: United States | ABV: 45.50% | 750ml

Purchase Widow Jane 10 Year Bourbon

Bourbon Sidecar

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon whiskey
• 1 oz Cointreau or triple sec
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice

Recipe

• Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.
• Strain into a chilled cocktail glass with a sugared rim.

Recommended Bottle: Angel’s Envy Bourbon Port Cask Finish

Finished in port barrels, Angel’s Envy is a bourbon that combines traditional craftsmanship with a unique aging process. After maturing in charred American oak barrels, it undergoes a secondary aging in Portuguese port wine barrels, imparting a rich, complex flavor with hints of vanilla, ripe fruit, and subtle spices. Perfect as a thoughtful gift for whiskey enthusiasts or for celebrating life’s special moments.

Why It's Perfect for the Bourbon Sidecar

The Sidecar lives or dies on fruit. Angel's Envy's port-cask finish gives you a head start — echoing the orange liqueur and adding dark-berry depth — for a drink that tastes layered and a little luxurious instead of merely sweet and sour.

Region: Kentucky, USA | ABV: 43.30% | 750ml

Purchase Angel’s Envy Bourbon Port Cask Finish

Paper Plane

Ingredients

• 1 oz bourbon whiskey
• 3/4 oz Aperol
• 3/4 oz Amaro Nonino
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice

Recipe

• Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.
• Then strain into a chilled coupe glass.

Recommended Bottle: New Riff 8-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

New Riff distills just across the river from Cincinnati in Newport, Kentucky, founded by industry veteran Ken Lewis with a purist's playbook: a high-rye mash bill, traditional sour-mash fermentation, and non-chill filtration to keep every bit of flavor in the bottle. The 8-Year-Old is one of their most mature Kentucky Straight releases — a patient, fully-realized expression of that bold, rye-forward house style from a craft distillery that earned its reputation remarkably fast.

Why It's Perfect for the Paper Plane

Four equal parts mean the whiskey must hold its own against two bitter liqueurs and citrus. New Riff 8-Year's high-rye spine and non-chill-filtered body stay present in the mix, the rye spice playing off the Amaro's bitterness to keep a busy cocktail from ever turning muddy.

Region: United States | ABV: 50.0% | 750ml

Purchase New Riff 8-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Boulevardier

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey
• 1 oz Campari
• 1 oz sweet vermouth

Recipe

• Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.
• Strain over a large ice cube.
• Garnish with an expressed orange peel.

Recommended Bottle: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch

The E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch is aged in historic, century-old warehouses and captures the essence of Kentucky bourbon heritage with every sip. The balance of sweet, spicy, and oaky notes makes it approachable for bourbon newcomers while offering enough depth and nuance to captivate seasoned enthusiasts. It’s also one of our best recommended small-batch bourbons.

Why It's Perfect for the Boulevardier

If you’re not using a bourbon with some bold notes throughout the nose and palate, it’s easy for the Campari's bitterness to steamroll your entire cocktail. With this small-batch bourbon, the bonded 100 proof provides the needed structure without overpowering the cocktail, for a completely refined sip, even enthusiasts will enjoy.

Region: United States | ABV: 50.0% | 750ml

Purchase E.H. Taylor Small Batch

How To Find The Best Bourbon Every Month

Month Club from Taster's Club makes it easy. This subscription service is designed for those who appreciate high-quality bourbons meant for savoring every sip.

Get Expert Picks Month to Month

Every month, enjoy hand-selected bottles that showcase the incredible diversity of bourbon from different regions, distilleries, and maturation styles.

Each shipment comes complete with comprehensive digital tasting notes and background information that create a tasting experience you can’t get elsewhere.

Prepaid Gifts

You can find the best bourbon with flexibility, too. We offer convenient prepaid options in 3, 6, and 12-month subscriptions. Perfect to build your home collection or make that special present for the whiskey lover in your life!

Other Pay as You Go Options

We also offer month-to-month plans to make it easy, to pause, modify, or cancel anytime. Perfect for changing schedules or preferences. No long-term commitment required.

Commonly Asked Questions

What's the best all-around bourbon for cocktails?

If you’re looking for a versatile bourbon that can hold up well in a range of different bourbon-based cocktails, we highly recommend going with a Bottled-in-Bond choice, like E.H. Taylor Small Batch or New Riff 8-Year.

The strength holds well with any of the ingredients that may be overpowering for a basic bourbon. And if you’re mixing with lighter ingredients, you can always dilute with a large ice cube or add slightly more mixers to hold against a stronger bourbon.

Does proof really matter in a cocktail?

You’ll be surprised how much a higher proof bourbon adds to your cocktail-sipping experience. Over time, your drink’s Ice and mixers weigh on the bourbon’s delicate notes. After 20 or 30 minutes, that dilution could take away that experience, leaving you with a sweet and watered-down drink. With a high-proof bourbon, the flavors remain consistent for a more robust, longer-lasting cocktail. And don’t worry, it won’t be overpowering.

How do I elevate my bourbon cocktails?

The single biggest upgrade you can make to your bourbon cocktail experience is the bottle of bourbon you choose. It almost matters more than the recipe itself.

The best part is that "fancy" doesn't always mean just expensive. It means it fits the mixture of ingredients and can hold well, without overpowering or disappearing in your drink. Higher-proof, Bottled-in-Bond, or barrel-proof bourbon all typically do an excellent job at elevating your bourbon cocktails. Small-batch can also fit well for sipping cocktails, like an Old Fashioned, where you want a high-end whiskey to truly enjoy the experience.

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