27 Best Whiskey Cocktails To Make in 2025

While many reach to light spirits like vodka, tequila or white rum to make cocktails, trying a more robust alcohol like whiskey in some delicious whiskey cocktails is an excellent way to add a twist to your usual tipple. From classics like an old fashioned or Manhattan to unique beverages, such as a Paper Plane or matcha highball, there's a world of options to indulge in.

Whether you're a whiskey cocktail enthusiast looking for something new to try or are sampling whiskey beverages for the first time, this guide to the best whiskey cocktails is sure to have more than a few recipes you want to mix up!

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• Classic Whiskey Cocktails
• Simple Whiskey Cocktails
• Unique Whiskey Cocktails
• Other Delicious Whiskey Cocktails
• Learn To Make the Best Whiskey Cocktails

Classic Whiskey Cocktails

1. Old Fashioned

An old fashioned is one of the most famous whiskey cocktails and can be found on bar menus all over the world. The origin of this whiskey cocktail dates back to the early 1800s when it exploded in popularity and became a staple drink. However, it wasn't until almost at the end of the century that the beverage began going by the name “old fashioned.” 

A classic old-fashioned whiskey cocktail recipe calls for whiskey, muddled sugar cubes, bitters and orange peel with a splash of water, all served over one large cube of ice. Many recipes also see the rim of the glass rubbed with orange peel to add an extra element for the senses. 

2. Mint Julep 

If you enjoy a minty fresh cocktail that tastes like spring, try a mint julep! This fresh whiskey cocktail is similar to a mojito but it uses bourbon instead of white rum. To prepare, muddle fresh mint, simple syrup and sugar in the bottom of a glass and then add bourbon (or your favorite whiskey) and ice before serving. 

3. Whiskey Sour

Looking for a refreshing and tangy whiskey cocktail? The whiskey sour is an easy drink to prepare and, as the name suggests, it has some fresh yet sour notes.

Made with only whiskey, lemon juice, sugar or simple syrup and a dash of Angostura bitters, this beverage conveniently features ingredients you’ll likely already have on hand. You can also upgrade your whiskey sour by adding an egg white for a rich, frothy topping.

4. Manhattan 

Indulge in old-school glamour with a classic Manhattan. This whiskey cocktail originated around the mid to late 1800s and is thought to have first been enjoyed at the Manhattan Club in New York City. 

To make a Manhattan, combine whiskey, sweet vermouth and a dash of bitters with ice and stir until chilled. Next, strain off the ice and serve in a coup glass with a maraschino cherry garnish. If you want to make this whiskey drink like the professionals, be sure to stir not shake!

5. New York Sour

The New York sour is a sophisticated take on a classic whiskey sour. This whiskey cocktail is a great option for those who enjoy a fruitier beverage thanks to its intriguing blend of smoky whiskey and fruity red wine. 

To make it, shake rye whiskey or bourbon with lemon juice and a touch of simple syrup. Pour this mixture into a glass and top it with chilled red wine before enjoying. As with some other popular whiskey beverages, you can also top this drink with frothy egg whites. 

6. Vieux Carré 

Elevate your dinner party with the sophisticated whiskey cocktail Vieux Carré. This legendary New Orleans beverage was created at the famous Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone and is one of the establishment’s most-ordered menu items.

It comprises a delightful mix of whiskey (usually rye whiskey), cognac, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine liqueur, bitters and a cherry to garnish. This drink is shaken with ice and strained into a glass and has smoky, citrus and herbal notes. 

7. Sazerac

Indulge in the official cocktail of New Orleans with a Sazerac. This drink was created in a Creole apothecary in the 1830s and remains one of the most renowned drinks in NOLA. 

To make a Sazerac whiskey cocktail, rinse a glass with absinthe and set it aside. Next, combine a sugar cube, water, bitters (usually Peychaud’s bitters) and rye whiskey and shake for around 20 seconds. Finish by pouring into a glass and adding a twist of lemon peel. 

8. Hot Toddy

Not all whiskey cocktails need to be overly fancy! This classic beverage is perfect for curling up on a cold evening at home. To brew this warming drink, combine your favorite whiskey with hot water and honey. A hot toddy can be customized in many ways as well. For example, some recipes see the addition of lemon juice or lemon slices, cinnamon sticks or cloves. 

You could also brew tea in hot water before adding the other ingredients or switch honey for another natural sweetener like maple syrup of agave. No matter how you make this whiskey cocktail, it’s sure to help you get cozy on a winter night and some say it can even stave off a cold.

Simple Whiskey Cocktails

9. Scotch and Soda

This two-ingredient whiskey cocktail is super simple to put together, making a great drink for those low on time or bartending supplies. To make a scotch and soda, pour the whiskey into a glass followed by ice cubes and top the drink off with soda water. This drink also has a low sugar content and is relatively low-calorie for those who don’t like sweet drinks or anything too calorific.

10. Gold Rush 

The Gold Rush cocktail is a modern spin on the classic whiskey sour that will leave dinner guests impressed. This easy whiskey cocktail uses lemon juice and bourbon (or another type of whiskey if you prefer), plus a squeeze of honey, resulting in a pleasant amber-colored cocktail. 

The honey gives this whiskey cocktail an elevated depth of flavor, making it a great drink option when looking for dinner party ideas to make your event shine. 

11. Whiskey Highball 

A whiskey highball is an easy whiskey cocktail that only needs a handful of ingredients. This crowd-pleaser is made with whiskey, club soda or ginger ale and ice. Simply pour your desired amount of whiskey into a highball glass filled with ice and top with soda — it’s as easy as that! You can also add a lemon or lime wedge for a little extra flavor.

12. Whiskey Chai

Looking for a warm and cozy whiskey cocktail to get you through the cold winter nights? The whiskey chai is a lovely spiced drink that artfully blends spiced chai with smoky whiskey. To make this boozy nightcap, simmer chai tea and fresh spices on the stove with whole milk and then add whiskey to taste.

13. Pickleback 

While no one knows the true origin of the notorious pickleback, this whiskey shooter and chaser mix (which some may call a cocktail) has been a cult classic for decades. Drinking briney pickle juice after vodka is an old Polish tradition, said to remove some of the aftertaste of the liquor, and may be the origin of this interesting drink. A pickleback is simply a shot of whiskey followed by a shot of pickle juice for a unique way to get the party started.

14. Irish Buck 

The Irish Buck is a light and fizzy whiskey cocktail that’s perfect for lovers of whiskey and ginger. It’s similar to a ginger ale whiskey highball, with the addition of lime, or a dark 'n' stormy cocktail, with whiskey replacing dark rum. Best of all, it's incredibly easy to make!

To prepare this drink, simply combine Irish whiskey with freshly squeezed lime juice in a tall glass. Add ice cubes and top it off with chilled ginger ale, then enjoy!

Unique Whiskey Cocktails 

15. The Paper Plane

The Prohibition era was a renaissance period for modern-day cocktails. As bartenders experimented with different recipes to mask the unpleasant flavor of home-brewed alcohol, they uncovered many delicious combinations that resemble cocktails that are still enjoyed today. 

Although created around 2008, the Paper Plane is a variation of the Last Word cocktail, one of those prohibition cocktails that has endured the test of time. To make a Paper Plane, combine bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino Quintessentia and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker and then strain into a coupe glass.

16. Matcha Highball 

Try something a little different with a trendy matcha highball. This whiskey cocktail recipe is inspired by the classic highball with an Asian flare.

It sees classic highball ingredients like whiskey (ideally Japanese whiskey), soda water and lemon juice mixed with matcha and a honey syrup. Serve this earthy and refreshing drink over ice with a lemon wheel.

17. Arigato Sour

Keep the trendy Japanese-inspired whiskey cocktail recipes coming with the intriguing arigato sour. This whiskey drink is made with kabosu, an Asian citrus fruit that has a flavor profile similar to yuzu, elderflower liqueur and plum gin liqueur. You can add to those any whiskey you like, but a Japanese whiskey is recommended. 

Lastly, add simple syrup and an egg white and shake in a cocktail shaker with ice until chilled. Strain into a coupe glass before enjoying. To make this cocktail even more visually appealing, decorate the top with a few edible flowers.

18. In Cold Blood

Don’t let the gruesome name of this whiskey cocktail scare you away! While In Cold Blood would be the ideal drink to serve at a murder mystery dinner party, it’s a delicious beverage to enjoy anytime. 

This unique whiskey drink is made with rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and Cynar (a herbal bitter liqueur made from artichokes and over 10 other plants and herbs). These are mixed together in a double rocks glass and served with a large ice cube, a twist of lemon and a pinch of salt.  

Other Delicious Whiskey Cocktails

19. Irish Mule

The Irish mule is a refreshing take on the classic Moscow mule and is perfect for various occasions, from cooling off in the summertime to relaxing next to a roaring fire in the winter. To make an Irish mule, combine Irish whiskey, ginger beer, mint leaves and lime over ice for a refreshing and light beverage.

20. Vegas Bomb

Get ready to party with the classic Vegas Bomb! Like a pickleback, while this is technically a shot, it will be of interest if you’re looking for unique whiskey drinks to try. This whiskey beverage is great to enjoy before a wild night out because it goes down smooth and keeps the energy high all night thanks to the addition of Red Bull.

To make a Vegas Bomb, add Crown Royal whiskey, Red Bull energy drink, peach Schnapps and Malibu rum with ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake and then strain into tall shot glasses. This sweet and fruity twist on a whiskey cocktail is a bonafide crowd-pleaser for any fun occasion with friends.

21. Black Manhattan

Want to try an elevated twist on the classic Manhattan? The Black Manhattan whiskey cocktail is a unique version of the classic drink that is sure to wow guests. The use of Averna also adds a hint of spiced licorice for an intriguing flavor profile. 

To prepare this beverage, combine rye whiskey, Angostura bitters and Averna. Next, stir with ice, strain and enjoy, adding a twist of orange peel or maraschino cherries as a garnish if desired. 

22. Mr. J.

Sip on the refined smoky taste of scotch combined with coffee and chocolate when you enjoy the Mr. J. This trendy cocktail is a great wintertime beverage thanks to the warmth and richness from the whiskey and coffee flavors and the festive kick of the orange peel. You’ll also want to give this a try if you’re a fan of espresso martinis but want something slightly stronger. 

To make a Mr. J., combine Scotch whiskey, sweet vermouth, chocolate bitters, coffee beans and Bénédictine liqueur, stirring together with ice for around 30 seconds until chilled. Next, strain the drink into a short glass with a large ice cube and garnish with a twist of orange peel before serving.  

23. Homemade Eggnog

Looking for lively Christmas cocktails to serve at your holiday gathering? If so, mixing up some homemade eggnog spiked with whiskey, brandy and spiced rum is a must, putting a boozy twist on the classic holiday drink. 

Best of all, whipping it up is pretty straightforward. Simply prepare your favorite eggnog recipe and then spike it with all three liquors (or a mix of those you want to use) for an unforgettable festive treat. 

24. Gaelic Punch 

This delightful wintertime punch dates back to the early 17th century according to cocktail historians and is the perfect warming beverage to tide you through cold nights. It’s also a great sharing cocktail to serve up if you’re looking for food and drink-related winter or fall party ideas.

To prepare this whiskey cocktail, muddle lemon zest with sugar in a heatproof bowl and allow to rest for at least two hours. Next, combine the lemon and sugar mixture with boiling water and stir until the sugar dissolves before straining into another heatproof bowl. Add Irish whiskey to the hot mixture and garnish with lemon wedges studded with cloves before enjoying.

25. Boulevardier 

Imbibe in a classy 1920s whiskey cocktail with the Boulevardier. This popular drink was invented by an American journalist in Paris and is a clever twist on a classic Negroni. To make this beverage, combine whiskey, sweet vermouth and Campari over ice and garnish with orange peel.

26. The Belmont 

Dive into the herbous, citrusy flavors of a summer cocktail called The Belmont. This whiskey-forward cocktail is made by combining whiskey, lemon juice, Galliano (a herbal liqueur), ginger syrup and peach liqueur. Once it’s shaken in a cocktail shaker, the beverage is poured into an ice-filled glass and garnished with mint sprigs and lemon wheels for a refreshing taste of summer in a glass.

27. Whiskey Smash

This whiskey cocktail dates back to the 1800s and is a light and bright drink that’s perfect for enjoying during the summer. To make a whiskey smash, muddle lemon wedges and mint leaves in a cocktail shaker.

Next, add whiskey (bourbon is recommended), simple syrup and ice and shake together. Serve in a short glass with ice for a refreshing and flavorful tipple. You can also add a bit of club soda if desired.

Learn To Make the Best Whiskey Cocktails

Want to level up your cocktail-making skills and impress guests with professional drinks? Then exploring online mixology classes is a must! These fun and interactive virtual sessions offer the chance to discover how to craft whiskey cocktails from expert mixologists. 

Whether you learn the tricks to classic whiskey drinks, try some out-of-the-box beverages or even create your own signature whiskey cocktail, you’ll have a blast mastering the art of mixology.

Finding the best whiskey cocktails is a delicious journey that will have you sipping many flavorful beverages. From classy pre-dinner cocktails to sweet shots before a wild night out, there is a whiskey drink for every occasion. 

For even more ways to enjoy your favorite food and drinks, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.