As the saying goes – all bourbon is whiskey but not all whiskey is bourbon. Perhaps that’s why bourbon has become ridiculously popular over the last 20 years with some rare bottles selling for exorbitant prices ranging from hundreds to many thousands of dollars. But not all bourbon is expensive and can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, with a splash of water or in a cocktail.
Discover a dozen bourbon bombshells that are impossible to resist. This bourbon roster includes classics like the Old Fashioned and Manhattan as well as modern bourbon cocktails that may be new to you.
1. Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is one of the most classic of classic cocktails. Follow our easy recipe to craft an Old Fashioned at home in just five minutes.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned
2. Manhatttan
Crafting a Manhattan at home is both easy and rewarding. Follow our recipe and craft the classic cocktail at home in just five minutes. You’ll feel like you’re at your favorite bar at 1am but without the drama.
Get the Recipe: Manhattan
3. Whiskey Sour
The Whiskey Sour ranks as one of the most popular drinks in the world. It’s a pleasure to drink and a breeze to craft at home. Follow our Whiskey Sour recipe and join the happy crowd of Whiskey Sour fans.
Get the Recipe: Whiskey Sour
4. Boulevardier
A Boulevardier cocktail is a Negroni crafted with bourbon instead of gin. Follow our easy recipe and craft a Boulevardier at home in just five minutes.
Get the Recipe: Boulevardier
5. Paper Plane
Despite its fun name and festive color, the Paper Plane is a sophisticated cocktail that’s ideal for serious cocktail drinkers. It’s also a tasty tipple that’s super easy to craft at home.
Get the Recipe: Paper Plane
6. Gold Rush
The Gold Rush glitters bright in the cocktail galaxy. Follow our easy recipe and craft the tasty bourbon cocktail at home in just five minutes.
Get the Recipe: Gold Rush
7. Amaretto Sour
Crafting an Amaretto Sour is easy. The challenge is deciding which ingredients to add. Since we add both Disaronno Amaretto and Bourbon, our Amaretto Sour recipe is technically a Disaronno Sour recipe and it’s delicious.
Get the Recipe: Amaretto Sour
8. Revolver
The Revolver cocktail is a boozy bourbon bombshell with a caffeine kick. Why not pull the trigger and give the three-ingredient potent potable a try?
Get the Recipe: Revolver
9. Brown Derby
Easy to craft and a pleasure to imbibe, the Brown Derby cocktail is ideal for a lazy brunch or a cosy night by the fire. Our addition of maple syrup makes this prohibition cocktail simply impossible to resist.
Get the Recipe: Brown Derby
10. Kentucky Mule
The Kentucky Mule is our new favorite mule which should be no surprise since we adore bourbon. Who knows? Maybe it will be your new favorite mule too.
Get the Recipe: Kentucky Mule
11. Maple Bourbon Smash
Sweet and boozy, the Maple Bourbon Smash is ideal to pair with brunch or sip at night by the fire. Follow our easy Maple Bourbon Smash recipe and craft the delightful cocktail at home in just five minutes.
Get the Recipe: Maple Bourbon Smash
12. Milk Punch
Bourbon Milk Punch is a decadent New Orleans cocktail that’s ideal to serve with brunch or any time when you want the good times to roll. Follow our easy Bourbon Milk Punch recipe and craft the creamy dreamy cocktail in just five minutes.
Get the Recipe: Milk Punch
Read Next: Pre-Prohibition Cocktails
America’s Prohibition, which lasted from 1920 to 1933, was a particularly restrictive period. However, the preceding years were filled with so many classic libations that the era is fondly referred to as the golden age of cocktails. And the best part? Many but not all Pre-Prohibition cocktails were crafted with bourbon.
More Cocktail Collections
Treat your tastebuds to more cocktails using these tried and true step-by-step recipes with photos.
About the Authors
Daryl and Mindi Hirsch
Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on the 2foodtrippers website. Since launching the site in 2012, they’ve traveled to over 40 countries in their quest to bring readers a unique taste of the world.