The Best Bourbon Whiskey Cocktails to Make at Home

June 11, 2025 by

The best bourbon cocktails have a way of stealing the spotlight, and for good reason. With its smooth kick of vanilla, caramel, and spice, bourbon brings serious character to every glass. This all-American staple has deep roots in cocktail culture, lending depth and warmth to old school favorites and fresh new mixes.

Whether you’re a seasoned sipper or still figuring out how to use a jigger, learning how to mix bourbon cocktails at home is a skill worth mastering. Let’s raise the bar and level up your cocktail game.

What makes bourbon ideal for cocktails?

Bourbon’s flavor profile makes it a natural star behind the bar. It’s bold enough to hold its own in any mix, yet versatile enough to play well with citrus, bitters, and syrups. Legally, bourbon must be made in the US from a mash that’s at least 51% corn and aged in new, charred oak barrels. This is what gives it that deep, sweet warmth that we all crave in a good cocktail.

Unlike scotch or rye, bourbon has a rounder, softer feel thanks to its corn-heavy mash bill, and it often carries a richer mouthfeel. Add its Kentucky roots and unmistakable character, and you’ve got a whiskey built for mixing. Wild Turkey, known for its high proof and robust flavor, stands out as a go-to for bourbon cocktails.

Dive deeper: Scotch vs. Bourbon: What’s the Difference?

10 Best bourbon whiskey cocktails you can make at home

1. Old Fashioned

For this Old Fashioned cocktail recipe, you’ll need:

1.75 oz Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon

0.25 oz Simple syrup

3 Dashes Angostura bitters

Orange peel to garnish

Best served in a rocks glass, garnished with an orange twist.

When America’s cocktail scene started to really take off in the 1880s, bar menus started to evolve as bartenders began mixing up new and exciting cocktails to impress the masses. Legend has it that there were some sentimental drinkers missing how things used to be done back in the good old days, and so they would order a drink made the ‘old-fashioned’ way. Feeling nostalgic? Get the full recipe here.

2. Whiskey Sour

For this Whiskey Sour recipe, you’ll need:

2 oz Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon

1 oz Fresh lemon juice

0.25 oz Simple syrup

1 Egg white

Best served in a coupe glass, garnished with orange peel and a cocktail cherry

Learning how to make a Whiskey Sour is a rite of passage for any bourbon lover, and the trick up your sleeve? Egg white! Egg white contains proteins that emulsify when it’s shaken up. This traps little pockets of air, which gives a drink like the Whisky Sour a very silky meringue-like texture that adds lovely body to a cocktail without changing its taste. It’s no wonder this classic drink features on the IBA’s list of official cocktails. Find the recipe here.

3. Boulevardier

For this recipe, you’ll need:

1.25 oz Russell’s Reserve 10YR

1 oz Campari

1 oz Cinzano Vermouth Rosso

Best served in a rocks glass, garnished with an orange twist.

Wondering what to mix with bourbon for some roaring twenties glamour? Try a Boulevardier. This old-school classic was first mixed way back in the 1920s, at Harry’s Bar—a popular spot that was once the toast of the town. The Boulevardier is a whiskey fan’s answer to a Negroni and has the same bittersweet profile, but with a delicious whiskey-forward twist. Here’s the recipe!

4. Mint Julep

For this classic bourbon cocktail recipe, you’ll need:

2 oz Bourbon

0.25 oz Simple syrup

10 – 12 mint leaves

Crushed ice

Best served in a Julep cup, garnished with a sprig of fresh mint.

One of the Mint Julep’s major claims to fame is its starring role in The Great Gatsby in the hands of the novel’s hapless heroine, Daisy, who named it her summertime cocktail of choice. IRL, it’s best known as the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, where it’s sipped along the racetrack while watching thoroughbreds compete for the winning title. Want the recipe? Click it like it’s hot!

5. Manhattan

For this bourbon drink, you’ll need:

2 oz Wild Turkey 101 Rye

1 oz 1757 Vermouth di Torino Rosso

3 Drops of orange bitters

Best served in a coupe glass, garnished with a cocktail cherry.

This isn’t just a cocktail, it’s a legend. It features on the IBA’s (International Bartenders Association) Unforgettable’s list and was first stirred up at the Manhattan Club in New York. This tasty 3-ingredient cocktail was the go-to drink for socialites in the late 1800s, and it’s every bit as popular today as it was back then. Get the full recipe here.

6. Gold Rush

For this bourbon-based cocktail, you’ll need:

2 oz Wild Turkey Bourbon

0.75 oz Freshly squeezed lemon juice

0.75 oz Honey syrup

Best served in a rocks glass over one large ice cube, garnished with a lemon peel twist.

The Gold Rush cocktail is incredibly simple, and it just works. First invented in New York bar Milk and Honey before Prohibition, this classic drink is similar to a Bees Knees cocktail but replaces gin with bourbon. Straightforward and sophisticated, it’s the perfect pre-dinner serve for your next summer party. Get the recipe.

7. Bourbon Rickey

To make one of these classic cocktails with bourbon, you’ll need:

1.5 oz Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon

1 oz Fresh lime juice

5 oz Club soda

Best served in a rocks glass.

Sometimes you’ve got to dial it back to enjoy the flavors of truly great ingredients, and that’s why the Bourbon Rickey shines. This super simple cocktail can be poured in two minutes flat, and the result is a balanced drink that tastes like something far more sophisticated. Total winner for a beginner! Here’s how you do.

8. Paper Plane

To make one of these popular bourbon drinks, you’ll need:

0.75 oz Amaro

0.75 oz Aperol

0.75 oz Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon

0.75 oz Fresh lemon juice, strained

Best served in an ice-cold coupe glass.

Even though it has strapping old-world swagger, the Paper Plane drink recipe was actually only mixed together in 2008. Its inventor, Sam Ross, is a celebrated bartender and co-owner of various amazing bars in New York. He named his creation after a song by a band called M.I.A., also named Paper Planes, which was headlining every radio hitlist during the summer of 2008. Full recipe here.

9. Whiskey Smash

To whip up this bourbon cocktail recipe, you’ll need:

2 oz Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon

4 Fresh mint leaves

1 Lemon wedge, cut into smaller wedges

0.5 oz Simple syrup

Crushed ice

Best served in rocks glass, garnished with a mint sprig and a slice of lemon.

The Classic Whiskey Smash is a timeless cocktail that combines the rich, smooth flavors of whiskey with the invigorating zest of fresh lemon and the fresh essence of mint. This cocktail is a true crowd-pleaser, known for its vibrant and balanced taste. Perfect for warm-weather sipping. Here’s the full recipe.

10. New York Sour

To make one of these easy bourbon cocktails, you’ll need:

2 oz Wild Turkey 101 Rye Whiskey

0.75 oz Freshly squeezed lemon juice

0.5 oz Simple syrup

1 oz Dry red wine

Best served in a rocks glass filled with ice.

Bold, silky, and a little bit dramatic, the New York Sour balances rich depth with a bright zing. Topped with a velvety red wine float, it’s a striking sip that feels both classic and unexpectedly indulgent. Check out the recipe.

Tips for mixing bourbon cocktails like a pro

Start by matching your bourbon to the style of the drink; something bold and high proof works well in stirred classics, while a softer pour suits citrusy or shaken drinks.
Use the right glassware: rocks glasses for spirit-forward drinks, coupes for sours, and highballs for longer mixes.
Ice matters, too. Go for large cubes in slow sippers and crushed ice in juleps and smashes.
Finally, don’t skip the garnish. A well-placed orange twist, cherry, or mint sprig can turn a good drink into a showstopper.

Explore more bourbon-based recipes

Feeling inspired to explore some more? Here you go:

What to Mix with Bourbon (Easy Bourbon Cocktails to Try at Home for Every Occasion)

6 Bold Smoked Bourbon Cocktails You Need to Try at Home

23 Very Merry Bourbon Christmas Cocktails to Sip This Holiday Season & Enjoy

9 Cozy Bourbon Cocktails to Warm You Up This Winter

Ready to shake things up? Bourbon’s bold flavor and easy versatility make it the perfect liquor to experiment with at home. Revisit the classics, explore new favorites, and see just how far a great bottle can take you. Whether you’re mixing for one or hosting a crowd, bourbon always brings that premium feel. For more inspiration, head to the Wild Turkey and Russell’s Reserve websites, and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to stay in the Mix.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Some of the most popular bourbon cocktails include the Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, Boulevardier, Mint Julep, and Manhattan. These drinks show off bourbon’s rich character and versatility, making them favorites for both casual sipping and special occasions.

The best bourbon depends on the style of cocktail you’re making. High-proof options add boldness to classics, while smoother pours suit citrusy mixes. Brands like Wild Turkey and Russell’s Reserve offer the balance and depth needed for standout cocktails.

Technically, yes, but you’ll change the flavor. Bourbon’s sweetness and oak-driven notes make it ideal for certain cocktails. Swapping rye or scotch brings spice or smoke instead. If the recipe calls for bourbon, it’s usually for good reason.

Absolutely. Bourbon’s smooth, sweet profile makes it very approachable. Simple serves like the Bourbon Rickey or Gold Rush are easy to mix and drink, while classics like the Old Fashioned offer a great intro to whiskey-based cocktails.