Last Updated on March 7, 2024 by Lydia Martin
Wild Turkey 101 is one of (if not the most) popular whiskeys in the United States for its hint of sweet vanilla, caramel notes, cinnamon, and oak spices.
It offers classic bourbon flavors and high-proof content, enjoyable straight, on the rocks, or in cocktails.
If you’re wondering what to mix with Wild Turkey 101, keep reading as we share our favorite mixers that go well with Wild Turkey’s bold flavors.
Table of Contents
ToggleTop 10 Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon Mixers You Need To Try
10. Grapefruit Juice
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Wild Turkey Bourbon
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce honey
- Garnish: lemon peel
Instructions:
Place all the ingredients and ice in the shaker and shake it. Next, strain the mixture into the coupe glass. Then, garnish with lemon peel and serve the Brown Derby Cocktail.
Serving: 1 serving
9. Grenadine
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Wild Turkey Rye
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce grenadine
- Garnish: lime wheel
Instructions:
Add all the ingredients to the shaker with ice. Shake well and strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass. Then, garnish with a lime wheel to make the New York-style cocktail.
Serving: 1 serving
8. Simple Syrup
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon
- 1-ounce simple syrup
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- Garnish: orange peel
- 2 ounces Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon
- ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- ½ ounce egg white (optional)
- Garnish: bitters
- ¼ ounce Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1-ounce sweet vermouth
- Garnish: cherry
- 2 ounces Wild Turkey
- Ginger Ale to top
- Garnish: lemon wedge
- 2 ounces Wild Turkey 101 Rye
- 1-ounce sweet vermouth
- ⅛ teaspoon (1/32 ounce) bitters
- Garnish: cherry
- 2 ounces Wild Turkey Bourbon
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Top with Ginger beer
- Garnish: mint sprig
- ¾ ounce Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¾ ounce Averna Amaro
- ¾ ounce Aperol
- Garnish: lemon wheel
- 2 ounces Wild Turkey Bourbon
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce blackberry liqueur fresh blackberries
- Garnish: lemon wheel, blackberry
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/martyswant/2021/12/21/matthew-mcconaughey-talks-wild-turkey-bourbon-and-five-years-of-marketing-the-juice/
- https://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/apr/08/pernod-ricard-buys-wild-turkey
Instructions:
Fill the mixing glass with ice and combine the syrup of Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon. Add ¼ teaspoon of bitters and stir all the ingredients. In a rocks glass, pour over the mixture.
Garnish it with orange peel and serve your cocktail the Old Fashioned way.
Serving: 1 serving
7. Fresh Lemon Juice
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Combine all the ingredients in a shaker without ice, excluding the garnish. Dry shake until it emulsifies. Add ice, shake again, and strain the mixture in the coupe glass.
Garnish with a dash of bitters to make a Whiskey Sour cocktail.
Serving: 1 serving
6. Campari
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Ingredients:
Instructions:
In a mixing glass, combine and stir all the liquid ingredients. Strain it in a rocks glass and garnish with a cherry to serve a Boulevardier cocktail.
Serving: 1 serving
5. Ginger Ale
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Fill a Collins glass with ice. Then, add the other ingredients and stir. Garnish it with a lemon wedge and serve a Wild Turkey Ginger cocktail.
Serving: 1 serving
4. Sweet Vermouth
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Ingredients:
Instructions:
In a mixing glass with ice, combine all the ingredients and stir. Strain it into a coupe glass and top off with a cherry to serve cocktail Manhattan style.
Serving: 1 serving
3. Ginger Beer
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Combine Wild Turkey Bourbon and lime juice in a highball glass with ice. Stir the mixture and top it with Ginger beer.
Then, garnish with lime and a sprig of mint to serve the Kentucky Mule cocktail.
Serving: 1 serving
“Ginger beer can have a positive impact on the heart if it is consumed in low amounts.”
– ANuja Dani, Nutritionist
2. Averna Amaro
Prep Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 4 minutes
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Combine all the ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake well. In a rocks glass, strain the mixture and garnish it with the lemon wheel to make a Paper Plane cocktail.
Serving: 1 serving
1. Blackberry Liqueur
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
Instructions:
In a shaker with ice, combine and shake well the Wild Turkey Bourbon, lemon juice, and syrup. Next, muddle blackberries in a separate rocks glass and add crushed ice.
Strain the liquid mixture into the rocks glass and top with float blackberry liqueur. Then, garnish your Bourbon Bramble cocktail with a lemon wheel and blackberry.
Serving: 1 serving
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you drink Wild Turkey 101 straight?
Yes, you can. Founded in 1891 by Thomas Riply, Wild Turkey 101 can be enjoyed neat and straight without ice [1].
Is Wild Turkey 101 good with Coke?
Yes, it is. Named after an annual wild turkey hunt, this spirit enhances its cinnamon and caramel notes when combined with Coke [2].
What is a good mix for Wild Turkey?
Wild Turkey pairs well with a variety of mixers, but a classic and popular choice is ginger ale or ginger beer.
The bold and robust flavors of Wild Turkey complement the spicy and effervescent qualities of ginger, creating a refreshing and well-balanced drink.
Additionally, it mixes well with cola, lemon-lime soda, or even in classic cocktails like the Old Fashioned or Manhattan for those seeking a more traditional and sophisticated option.
Is Wild Turkey and Coke good?
Wild Turkey and Coke can be a delightful combination for those who enjoy a simple and flavorful mixed drink.
The bold and full-bodied flavor of Wild Turkey stands up well to the sweetness and effervescence of cola, creating a harmonious balance.
The caramel and vanilla notes in the whiskey complement the cola’s sweetness, resulting in a satisfying and easy-to-enjoy beverage. It’s a popular choice among those who prefer a classic and uncomplicated whiskey cocktail.
Is Wild Turkey good to drink straight?
Yes, Wild Turkey is often enjoyed neat or on the rocks by whiskey enthusiasts who appreciate its bold and robust flavor profile. The high rye content in Wild Turkey contributes to a spicy and full-bodied taste with notes of caramel, vanilla, and a hint of oak.
Drinking Wild Turkey straight allows the drinker to savor the complexity and depth of its flavors without the influence of mixers.
The smooth finish and well-developed character make it a suitable choice for those who enjoy sipping whiskey in its purest form.
Is Wild Turkey 101 easy to drink?
Wild Turkey 101, with its higher proof (101 proof or 50.5% alcohol by volume), delivers a bold and intense drinking experience. While its robust flavor profile may be more assertive than lower-proof whiskeys, some drinkers appreciate the added depth and complexity it offers.
For those accustomed to higher-proof spirits, Wild Turkey 101 can be considered easy to drink, especially when enjoyed slowly to appreciate its intricate notes.
However, individuals new to higher-proof whiskeys may find it more intense and may choose to explore the brand’s lower-proof options before diving into the bolder Wild Turkey 101 expression.
What is a good mixer for Wild Turkey American Honey?
Wild Turkey American Honey, known for its smooth and sweet profile, pairs exceptionally well with various mixers.
One popular and complementary choice is ginger ale, as its effervescence and subtle spiciness enhance the honeyed notes in the whiskey, creating a refreshing and balanced cocktail.
Additionally, it mixes seamlessly with lemonade, iced tea, or even a splash of soda water for those who prefer a lighter and citrus-infused flavor profile.
What is good to mix bourbon with?
Bourbon, with its rich and versatile flavor profile, pairs well with an array of mixers. Classic choices include cola, ginger ale, or ginger beer, as the sweetness and effervescence complement the bourbon’s caramel and vanilla notes.
Bourbon also works excellently in traditional cocktails like the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, or Mint Julep, showcasing its adaptability to various mixology styles.
Experimenting with citrus elements, such as lemon or orange, can also enhance the bourbon’s complexity and add refreshing dimensions to the drink.
Which soda is best with bourbon?
The choice of soda to mix with bourbon depends on personal preference, but some popular options include cola, ginger ale, and club soda. Cola’s sweetness complements the caramel and vanilla notes in bourbon, creating a classic and enjoyable combination.
Ginger ale or ginger beer adds a spicy kick that pairs well with the whiskey’s warmth, while club soda provides a crisp and clean mixer that allows the bourbon’s flavors to shine without added sweetness.
Which whiskey with Coke?
For mixing with Coke, many people enjoy Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7, a Tennessee whiskey known for its smooth and slightly sweet profile. The caramel and vanilla notes in Jack Daniel’s complement the cola’s sweetness, creating a well-balanced and widely appreciated drink.
Additionally, Jameson Irish Whiskey is a popular choice for those seeking a smoother and lighter whiskey experience with a hint of maltiness that blends seamlessly with the effervescence of Coke.
Preferences may vary, but these whiskeys are often considered go-to options for a satisfying whiskey and Coke combination.
How strong is Wild Turkey?
The strength of Wild Turkey varies depending on the specific expression. The standard Wild Turkey Bourbon, often known as Wild
Turkey 81, has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 40.5%, while Wild Turkey 101, a higher-proof variant, boasts an ABV of 50.5%.
The higher the ABV, the stronger the alcoholic content, and Wild Turkey 101, in particular, delivers a bold and robust flavor due to its elevated proof.
Is Wild Turkey 101 best enjoyed neat or on the rocks?
Wild Turkey 101 can be enjoyed both neat and on the rocks, providing different drinking experiences based on personal preferences. Drinking it neat allows you to savor the full intensity and complexity of the whiskey, appreciating its rich flavors without any dilution.
On the rocks, with the addition of ice, can mellow the intensity slightly, revealing different facets of the flavor profile as the ice gradually melts.
Whether neat or on the rocks, Wild Turkey 101 offers a versatile and satisfying drinking experience.
Is Wild Turkey 101 100 proof?
While the name might suggest 101 proof, Wild Turkey 101 is actually 100.25 proof, which equates to 50.5% alcohol by volume (ABV).
This elevated proof contributes to the whiskey’s robust and bold character, providing a more intense and flavorful drinking experience.
It’s important to note the specific proof, as it distinguishes Wild Turkey 101 from lower-proof expressions within the Wild Turkey lineup.
How long is Wild Turkey 101 aged for?
Wild Turkey 101 is aged for a minimum of six to eight years, contributing to its well-developed flavor profile and complexity.
The aging process involves maturation in new charred oak barrels, allowing the whiskey to absorb flavors from the wood, gain color, and develop a smooth and nuanced taste.
The extended aging period is a key factor in the creation of Wild Turkey 101’s distinctive character, with notes of caramel, vanilla, and spice that make it a favorite among bourbon enthusiasts seeking depth and quality in their whiskey.
Final Verdict: What To Mix With Wild Turkey 101
Whether you’re into its bold flavors or mixing a variety of drinks, Wild Turkey 101 will not disappoint.
You can savor it straight, on the rocks, or enjoy cocktails using our favorite mixers to have a blast at your next party.
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