Bourbon cocktails can transform the chilly winter months into a season of warmth and comfort. As the temperature drops, a well-crafted bourbon cocktail offers a blend of seasonal flavors and rich aromas that can lift the spirits. You’ll find recipes that blend bourbon with traditional winter spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, offering both classic and new twists.
Expect to explore combinations that infuse bourbon with apple cider or pumpkin spice, which is ideal for cozy evenings by the fireplace. Each drink is designed to complement the season while enhancing the natural richness of bourbon. From crisp cocktails served cold to those meant to be savored warm, there’s something to suit every palate.
Hot Bourbon Toddy
A Hot Bourbon Toddy is an excellent choice for a cozy winter evening. This classic cocktail delivers warmth and comfort, ideal for cold months. It’s easy to make with simple ingredients.
To prepare your Hot Bourbon Toddy, you’ll need:
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup hot water
- Lemon slice and cinnamon stick for garnish
Instructions:
- Combine honey and lemon juice in a mug.
- Add the bourbon.
- Pour in hot water and stir until the honey dissolves.
- Garnish with a lemon slice and a cinnamon stick.
Enjoy the soothing flavors as the bourbon warms you up. It’s perfect for relaxing by the fire or sharing with friends. Adjust the honey or lemon to suit your taste, balancing sweetness and acidity.
Bourbon Eggnog
Bourbon eggnog is a festive treat. Enjoy its creamy texture during cozy winter evenings. Choose a good bourbon for added depth.
Ingredients:
- 3 large egg yolks
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup bourbon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Freshly grated nutmeg
Instructions:
- Whisk the egg yolks and sugar until smooth and frothy.
- Add milk, cream, bourbon, and vanilla. Stir well.
- Transfer the mixture to a pitcher or punch bowl.
- When serving, top each glass with nutmeg for a festive touch.
This recipe serves about six glasses. Adjust the quantities if needed. Use Bulleit or your preferred bourbon brand. The nutmeg garnish adds a wonderful aroma.
Maple Bourbon Smash
The Maple Bourbon Smash is a delightful winter cocktail. It’s perfect for those cozy nights. The combination of bourbon and maple syrup offers a rich, warm flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz bourbon
- ½ oz maple syrup
- ½ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz orange juice
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- Orange wheel for garnish
- Rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions
- Combine maple syrup, lemon juice, orange juice, and bitters in a glass.
- Add the bourbon and stir well.
- Fill the glass with ice and garnish with an orange wheel and rosemary sprig.
This cocktail is both simple and refreshing. The citrus from the lemon and orange provides a bright contrast. The rosemary adds a hint of herbal aroma. It’s easy to prepare yet sophisticated.
Bourbon Apple Cider
Bourbon Apple Cider is a delightful winter cocktail. Perfect for cozy evenings. You’ll enjoy the blend of warm spices and smooth bourbon.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 4 oz apple cider
- 1/2 oz maple syrup
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- A pinch of cinnamon
- A dash of nutmeg
- Ice
- Apple slices for garnish
Instructions
- In a Shaker: Combine bourbon, apple cider, maple syrup, and lemon juice.
- Add Ice: Shake until well mixed and chilled.
- Serve: Strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Garnish: Add apple slices and sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg.
Adjust sweetness with more or less maple syrup. Apple slices add appeal and flavor.
Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail
Experience the warm, inviting flavors of a Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail. This drink combines bourbon’s boldness with the sweetness and spice of cranberry juice. Enjoy this cocktail by following a simple recipe.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. bourbon
- 3 oz. spiced cranberry juice
- 3 oz. ginger beer
- Grated fresh nutmeg (for garnish)
Instructions:
Make Spiced Cranberry Juice:
- Add cranberry juice, cracked cinnamon sticks, and nutmeg to a saucepan.
- Simmer on low heat for 45 minutes.
- Cool completely.
- Strain into an airtight container and store in the fridge.
Prepare the Cocktail:
- Add bourbon and spiced cranberry juice to a shaker.
- Add ice and shake well.
- Strain into an ice-filled glass.
- Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
- Garnish with grated nutmeg.
Bourbon Hot Chocolate
Bourbon Hot Chocolate is the perfect winter treat. It combines the rich taste of cocoa with the smooth warmth of bourbon.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- Pinch of salt
- 3 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 ounces bourbon (1.5 ounces per serving)
Instructions:
- Stir Together: Mix water, maple syrup, cocoa powder, and salt in a saucepan.
- Heat: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat.
- Whisk in Milk: Slowly whisk in milk. Heat for 5 minutes, but do not boil.
- Add Vanilla: Remove from heat and add vanilla extract.
- Serve: Pour 1.5 ounces of bourbon into each of four mugs. Pour hot chocolate mixture over bourbon in each mug and enjoy.
This drink delights with its combination of flavors. The warmth of the bourbon deepens the rich chocolate taste. Use quality ingredients to elevate the experience.
Bourbon Sour
A Bourbon Sour is a classic cocktail that brings warmth to winter evenings. Known for its simplicity, this drink has a balance of sweet, sour, and bold flavors. It’s a go-to choice for bourbon lovers.
To make a Bourbon Sour, you only need a few ingredients. Follow these easy instructions to craft the perfect drink.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon
- 3/4 oz Fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz Simple syrup
- Ice
- Lemon wheel or cherry for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Add bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake well.
- Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel or cherry, if desired.
You can adjust the sweetness by changing the simple syrup amount. This drink is easily customized to suit your taste.
Feel free to experiment by adding a splash of orange juice or substituting the garnish. A twist of orange peel provides an additional layer of complexity.
Winter Old Fashioned
A Winter Old Fashioned is a cozy twist on a classic cocktail. It features warm spices and seasonal flavors. Invite the essence of winter by adding this variant to your drink collection.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 sugar cube
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 orange slice
- 1 maraschino cherry
- 1 tsp maple syrup
Instructions
- Place the sugar cube in an Old Fashioned glass.
- Add bitters and a splash of water. Muddle until the sugar dissolves.
- Add bourbon and stir gently.
- Garnish with an orange slice, cinnamon stick, and cherry.
- Drizzle with maple syrup for extra warmth.
Kentucky Mulled Cider
Kentucky Mulled Cider combines warm flavors with bourbon for a cozy winter treat. You’ll find it comforting on a cold day. The ingredients blend well for a rich taste.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 ounces of extra-aged bourbon
- Hot apple cider, to taste
- 1 dash of allspice
- 1 cinnamon stick, for garnish
- Lemon slices, for garnish
Instructions
- Pour hot apple cider into a pot. Let it warm up over medium heat.
- Add bourbon to the cider and stir gently.
- Sprinkle allspice into the mixture for a hint of spice.
- Simmer for 10 minutes. Allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve in mugs. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and lemon slice.
Bourbon Manhattan
The Bourbon Manhattan is a classic cocktail that brings warmth to cold winter nights. It’s a twist on the traditional Manhattan, using bourbon for a rich, mellow flavor.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Maraschino cherry or orange peel for garnish
Instructions:
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters.
- Stir gently for 30 seconds.
- Strain the liquid into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with a cherry or orange peel.
The Manhattan has been a staple since the late 1800s. It highlights the balanced blend of sweetness from vermouth and the depth of bourbon. The drink is often enjoyed “up,” served in elegant glassware.
Maple Bourbon Fizz
The Maple Bourbon Fizz is a wonderful winter cocktail. Its combination of rich flavors creates a warm and inviting experience. This drink pairs well with cozy evenings at home.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 oz maple syrup
- 1 egg white (optional)
- 3 dashes of bitters
- Soda water
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Pour bourbon, lemon juice, maple syrup, and egg white into a shaker.
- Shake ingredients dry (without ice) to mix well.
- Add ice cubes and shake again until cold.
- Strain mixture into a glass.
- Top with soda water for a fizzy finish.
- Garnish with a lemon twist, if desired.
This Maple Bourbon Fizz offers a delightful citrus and bourbon blend. Cinnamon or ginger can add a spicy twist. Adjust to taste for a personal touch.
Bourbon And Ginger
Bourbon and ginger is a refreshing combination. The warmth of bourbon complements the zing of ginger. You can enjoy this cocktail year-round, but it shines in winter.
For a basic Whiskey Ginger Cocktail, gather these ingredients:
- 1 ounce bourbon
- Ginger ale
- Lime wedges
Instructions:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Pour bourbon over ice.
- Top with ginger ale.
- Squeeze lime over the drink.
You can customize this drink easily. Try adding candied ginger for extra flavor. Fresh ginger also works well. Add a dash of bitters if you like complexity.
This drink is versatile. You can pair it with various garnishes. Choose what’s fresh or available. Make it festive with cranberry or cinnamon.
Brown Derby
The Brown Derby is a classic winter bourbon cocktail. It combines simple ingredients with a refreshing twist. You’ll need basic components to craft this timeless drink.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz grapefruit juice
- 0.5 oz honey syrup (mix honey with a bit of water)
- Grapefruit zest for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Add bourbon, grapefruit juice, and honey syrup to a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake the mixture until well-chilled.
- Fine-strain into a cocktail glass.
- If desired, garnish with a twist of grapefruit zest.
This cocktail offers a delightful blend of sweet and tangy flavors. Honey syrup enhances the bourbon without overpowering it. Grapefruit juice adds a refreshing citrus note.
Hot Buttered Bourbon
Hot Buttered Bourbon is a cozy winter drink. This cocktail combines spices, butter, and bourbon for a warm treat. Serve it during cold evenings to delight guests.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 cup hot apple cider
Instructions
- Mix butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl.
- Divide the mixture evenly into two mugs.
- Add 1 ounce of bourbon to each mug.
- Pour hot apple cider into the mugs until full.
- Stir well until butter is melted completely.
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