If you’ve ever wanted to elevate your home bartending game, nothing does it better than a bourbon cocktail. Bourbon is smooth, rich, and full of character. What makes bourbon even more exciting is how versatile it is.
You don’t need to be a pro bartender or own fancy tools to whip up a delicious drink. With just a few simple ingredients and some ice, you can enjoy a bar-quality bourbon cocktail in your own kitchen.
We’ll walk you through 10 easy bourbon cocktails you can make at home, from the timeless Old Fashioned to refreshing modern twists. So grab your bottle of bourbon, a shaker, and a glass. Let’s mix things up!
10 Bourbon Cocktails You Can Easily Make at Home
Looking to spice up your evenings or impress your friends without stepping foot in a bar? Try a bourbon cocktail!
With just a few simple ingredients and a bottle of bourbon, you can create a delicious bourbon cocktail right in your own kitchen. Let’s dive into 10 bourbon cocktails that are easy, fun, and guaranteed to make your home feel like a cocktail lounge.
1. Old Fashioned
Let’s start with the king of bourbon cocktails which is the Old Fashioned. This drink has been around since the 1800s and remains a classic for good reason.
You’ll need:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 sugar cube (or ½ tsp simple syrup)
- 2–3 dashes Angostura bitters
- Orange peel
- Ice
How to make it:
1. Place the sugar cube in a glass, add bitters, and muddle until dissolved.
2. Add bourbon and stir gently.
3. Drop in a large ice cube.
4. Express the oils of the orange peel over the glass and garnish with the peel.
The Old Fashioned lets bourbon shine while adding a subtle sweetness and citrus aroma. It’s a simple and timeless drink for everyone!
2. Whiskey Sour
Tangy, refreshing, and balanced, the Whiskey Sour is a crowd-pleaser bourbon cocktail. It’s perfect for any occasion.
You’ll need:
- 2 oz bourbon
- ¾ oz lemon juice (fresh is best)
- ½ oz simple syrup
- ½ oz egg white for frothiness (Optional)
- Ice
- Maraschino cherry or lemon wheel for garnish
How to make it:
1. Add bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup (and egg white if using) to a shaker.
2. Shake vigorously without ice (if using egg white). Then add ice and shake again.
3. Strain into a glass with ice.
4. Garnish with a cherry or lemon wheel.
3. Mint Julep
This is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, but honestly, it’s perfect anytime you want something cool and refreshing.
You’ll need:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 8–10 fresh mint leaves
- ½ oz simple syrup
- Crushed ice
- Fresh mint sprig for garnish
How to make it:
1. Muddle mint leaves with simple syrup in a glass.
2. Fill the glass with crushed ice.
3. Pour bourbon over the ice.
4. Stir gently until the glass is frosty.
5. Garnish with a mint sprig.
This bourbon cocktail is sweet, minty, and icy cold. It feels like summer in a glass!
4. Boulevardier
Think of the Boulevardier as a bourbon version of the Negroni where it is slightly bitter, complex, and oh-so-sophisticated. This drink is perfect for those who like bold, bittersweet flavors.
You’ll need:
- 1 oz bourbon
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 1 oz Campari
- Orange peel for garnish
How to make it:
1. Add bourbon, vermouth, and Campari into a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir until chilled.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over ice.
4. Garnish with an orange peel.
5. Bourbon Smash
This bourbon cocktail is fun, fruity, and flexible. Plus, you can swap the fruit depending on the season.
You’ll need:
- 2 oz bourbon
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- ½ oz lemon juice
- A handful of fresh berries (blackberries, raspberries, or strawberries work well)
- Mint leaves
- Ice
How to make it:
1. Muddle berries, mint, and simple syrup in a shaker.
2. Add bourbon, lemon juice, and ice. Shake well.
3. Strain into a glass filled with ice.
4. Garnish with a berry and mint sprig.
6. Manhattan
Elegant and smooth, the Manhattan is another classic bourbon cocktail. This drink is strong, slightly sweet, and aromatic which is perfect for sipping slowly.
You’ll need:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Maraschino cherry for garnish
How to make it:
1. Add bourbon, vermouth, and bitters to a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir until well-chilled.
3. Strain into a coupe glass.
4. Garnish with a cherry.
7. Brown Derby
Named after a famous Hollywood diner, this cocktail is light, citrusy, and easy to love.
You’ll need:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
- ½ oz honey syrup (honey mixed with equal parts warm water)
How to make it:
1. Add bourbon, grapefruit juice, and honey syrup into a shaker with ice.
2. Shake until chilled.
3. Strain into a cocktail glass.
4. Garnish with a grapefruit twist (optional).
8. Bourbon Mule
Bourbon Mule is a twist on the Moscow Mule, but instead of vodka, we use bourbon for extra depth.
You’ll need:
- 2 oz bourbon
- ½ oz lime juice
- 4 oz ginger beer
- Ice
- Lime wedge for garnish
How to make it:
1. Fill a copper mug (or glass) with ice.
2. Add bourbon and lime juice.
3. Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge.
9. Gold Rush
The Gold Rush is like a honey-kissed Whiskey Sour. It’s also super easy to make at home!
You’ll need:
- 2 oz bourbon
- ¾ oz honey syrup
- ¾ oz lemon juice
How to make it:
1. Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
2. Shake until chilled.
3. Strain into a rocks glass with ice.
10. Kentucky Mule
The Kentucky Mule is perfect if you want something flavorful yet not overly strong, making it a great option for casual sipping, parties, or introducing friends to bourbon cocktails.
The drink combines the smooth, slightly sweet notes of bourbon with the zesty tang of fresh lime juice and the spicy kick of ginger beer.
You’ll need:
- 2 oz bourbon
- ½ oz lime juice
- 4 oz ginger beer
- Fresh mint leaves
- Ice
How to make it:
1. Lightly muddle mint leaves at the bottom of a glass or copper mug.
2. Fill with ice, add bourbon and lime juice.
3. Top with ginger beer and stir.
4. Garnish with a mint sprig.
Ready to Make Your Own Bourbon Cocktail?
If you want to try mixing these drinks at home, make sure you order your spirits only at minuman.com. The store offers a wide selection of products, from popular award-winning brands to rare and ultra-premium limited editions, so you’ll always find the perfect bottle for your cocktails.
Minuman.com has been trusted by many thanks to its expansive range, attractive prices both online and in-store, and even cheaper deals for bulk purchases. Over the past few years, minuman.com has grown remarkably by consistently delivering a pleasant shopping experience along with reliable, professional service.
So, why wait? Explore minuman.com today, stock up on your favorite bourbon, and start shaking up delicious cocktails right at home!
