The winter season calls for soothing drinks and cocktails to deal with cold days and chilly nights.
You can take your love for bourbon in the cold weather with these winter bourbon cocktails we’ve listed below.
Top 15 Winter Bourbon Cocktails
15. Buttered Pecan Old Fashioned
Buttered Pecan Old Fashioned is an ice cream-inspired mixture that is the perfect replacement for those who want ice cream in cold weather.
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes
Ingredients:
- ½ oz buttered pecan simple syrup
- 2 oz bourbon
- 2 dashes of aromatic bitters
- Orange and pecan garnishes
Instructions: Add the bourbon, bitters, and buttered pecan simple syrup to a mixing glass with ice. Stir, and then strain the mixture over a cube into a rocks glass. Garnish with orange and pecan, then enjoy.
Serving: 1
14. Nor’easter
Nor’easter winter cocktail recipes use apple brandy and single barrel bourbon that collaborates with Ancho Reyes liqueur.
Egg white is added to thicken the base before mixing other ingredients into a cocktail shaker.
Together with other go-to ingredients, lime, lemon juice, and maple syrup, it would make an excellent smoky and sweet cocktail.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz bourbon
- ½ oz apple brandy
- 1 egg white
- ½ oz maple syrup
- ½ oz Ancho Reyes
- ½ oz lime juice
- ½ oz lemon juice
Instructions: Add all ingredients, then shake with one ice cube for at least 30 seconds to get an excellent foam. Next, shake the mixture again with ice to chill.
Lastly, strain it into a coupe, garnish it with cinnamon and then enjoy.
Serving: 1
13. Grownup Thin Mint
Grownup Thin Mint cocktail will satisfy your chocolate cravings in the cold weather. The Mint and chocolate recipe combination brings a sweet and uplifting flavor profile.
But adding high-proof bourbon, chocolate liqueur, and a Brancamenta will bolden the mint-chocolate flavor you’ll love.
Topped with whipped cream and crumbled min cookies will give the extra texture.
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 oz bourbon
- 1 1/2 oz vanilla almond milk
- 1/4 oz Brancamenta
- 3/4 oz chocolate liqueur (Vandermint Liqueur)
- Freshly whipped heavy cream
- Crumbled mint cookies (garnish)
Instructions: Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with one large ice cube (except garnish and whipped cream). Lightly shake the mixture to chill, then strain it into a glass.
Lastly, top it with freshly whipped heavy cream, then garnish it with crumbled mint cookies.
Serving: 1
12. Ancient Old Fashioned
As old as its name, Ancient Old Fashioned is one of the oldest cocktails in the world that uses the fat washing method. This cocktail suffuses spirit with fatty liquid, making a sesame-infused bourbon.
It would help if you froze the infused bourbon, then skim the fats that rose on the top.
Combining mole bitter, Benedictine, and cognac will complete this old but gold cocktail.
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 oz sesame oil-infused bourbon
- ¼ oz Benedictine
- 1 oz Hennessy Black
- 5 drops of bitters (Bittermens Xocolatl Mole)
- 1 whole lantern chili (garnish – optional)
Instructions: Combine all the liquid ingredients and some ice in a mixing bowl. Vigorously stir, then strain the mixture into a double rocks glass over a large ice cube.
Garnish with chili (optional), and enjoy.
Serving: 1
11. Walnut & Maple Old Fashioned
Winter cocktail doesn’t have to be drunken fast. This Walnut & Maple Old Fashioned is ideal for slow sippers. It highlights the upfront flavor of bourbon with walnut bitters, but it gets its sweetness from maple syrup.
It’s served in a cocktail glass with a few ice cubes and freshly cracked walnut.
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 cup of ice
- 3 dashes of walnut bitters
- ¼ oz of pure maple syrup
- Cracked walnut for garnish
Instructions: Combine all ingredients into a mixing glass with some ice, then stir to chill. Strain the mixture into a serving glass over fresh ice, then garnish and enjoy.
Serving: 1
10. Smoke, Spice, & Everything Nice
This aromatic cocktail could warm you up with the boldness of bourbon, mezcal, and rye used in this cocktail.
The fruity strawberry syrup and the smoky aromatic bitters perfectly balance the drink, making it a crowd pleaser. It’s topped with an orange peel or a slice of fresh fruit.
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 oz bourbon
- ½ oz mezcal
- 1 oz rye
- ½ oz strawberry syrup
- 2 dashes of aromatic bitters
Instructions: Mix all ingredients in a cocktail glass with ice and then stir to chill. Fine strain the mixture into the cocktail glass over ice, then garnish.
Serving: 1
9. Tropical Toddy
The Tropical Hot Toddy is an excellent tropical option for cold weather. Its name, Toddy, came from a Jamaican allspice liqueur, Hamilton Pimento Dram.
You can blend it in a mug with your favorite bourbon, lemon juice, honey syrup, and hot water, and garnish it with a cinnamon stick.
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz bourbon
- ¾ oz lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- ½ oz honey syrup
- 4 oz warm water
- ¼ oz Hamilton Pimento Dram
- Lemon zest and cloves (garnish)
Instructions: Mix and shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, except water, without ice. Then, pour the mixture into a warmed mug then add water.
Stir and garnish with lemon zest and cloves afterward.
Serving: 1
8. Brooklyn
Brooklyn is a neighbor of the well-known Bourbon Manhattan cocktail, and it’s both delightful.
It usually uses spicy rye and sweet vermouth, but bourbon is also a perfect fit with the maraschino liqueur that builds the layers of sweetness and cherry flavor. [1]
It’s also made of Amer Picon, but if you don’t have one, you can substitute Ramazzotti or Angostura and orange bitters. It is served in a usual martini glass with a cherry.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Bourbon
- 1 tsp of Maple Syrup
- 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
- 1 dash of Orange Bitters
- 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
- Orange peel (garnish)
Instructions: Combine all the ingredients into a mixing glass with ice, except for the garnish. Slowly stir the mixture until well chilled. Then, strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish.
Serving: 1
Related Posts:
- Popular Simple Bourbon Mixed Drinks
- Popular Fruity Bourbon Mixed Drinks
- Popular Fall Bourbon Mixed Drinks
7. Sazerac
Sazerac is made of rye whiskey or bourbon combined with muddled sugar in water and bitters; you can substitute honey instead of sugar.
In a mixing glass, add ice with rye and cognac and mix it. Originally it uses absinthe, but Herbsaint substitutes it after absinthe was outlawed.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 oz (4 tbsp) bourbon whiskey
- 3–4 dashes of Peychaud’s bitters
- 1 tsp absinthe
- 1 cube of sugar
- Lemon twist
Instructions: Add the sugar cube, coated with the bitters, to a mixing glass. Muddle it with a cocktail mudder/wooden spoon until dissolved.
Then, add the bourbon and absinthe. Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir until cold. Strain the cocktail into a chilled lowball glass. Garnish and enjoy.
Serving: 1
6. Old Fashioned
Classic Old Fashioned cocktail is a timeless drink and is one of many’s favorite bourbon cocktail recipes. But a Winter Old Fashioned version leveled up and gave a classic balance of bourbon with a simple syrup infused with rosemary and cinnamon.
It is blended with bitters and hints of citrus and served with an orange peel, cinnamon sticks, and rosemary in a rocks glass with one large ice cube.
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ oz bourbon
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 3 dashes of Angostura bitters
- orange peel, cinnamon sticks, and rosemary
Instructions: Combine all the ingredients except the lemon and orange twist in a rocks glass. Stir and add ice to chill. Garnish, and enjoy.
Serving: 1
5. Cocktail Advent Calendar
Cocktail Advent Calendar is a calendar of different types of cocktails perfect for cold holidays, especially Christmas.
It includes bourbon whiskey cocktails such as Cranberry Blackberry Smash and the Baked Apple Toddy, another version of Hot Toddy that uses apple cider. But what’s the best bourbon cocktail for Christmas?
Crockpot Cranberry Apple Bourbon Punch
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: at least 4 hours
Ingredients:
- 2 cups bourbon
- 8 cinnamon sticks
- 32 oz apple cider
- 2 tbsp whole cloves
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1/2 cup ginger liqueur
- 4 cups of water
- 1 1/2 cups cranberries
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- Orange slices for garnish
- 1 tbsp whole allspice (optional)
Instructions: Mix the cloves, cinnamon sticks, allspice (optional), apple cider, sugar, water, orange juice, ginger liqueur, and bourbon in a bowl of a slow cooker. Simmer the mixture on low fire for two to three hours.
Then, add the cranberries and simmer for at least 30 additional minutes. Serve it in mugs, then garnish with orange slices.
Serving: 1 large punch bowl
4. Rusty Nail
A traditional Rusty Nail uses scotch as a liquor base. It’s a simple mixture of scotch and Drambuie, but you can swap out scotch with your bourbon of choice.
This winter bourbon cocktail is ideal for slow sipping on the rocks. Its iconic smoky and bold flavor is perfect for a chilly night.
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 oz bourbon
- 3/4 oz Drambuie
Instructions: Add the ingredients into a mixing glass with ice. Stir the mixture until well-chilled. Then, strain it into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
Serving: 1
3. Fall Sour
Fall Sour resembles Whiskey Sour and Bourbon Sour bourbon-cocktail recipes. The Fall Sour has seasonal flavors and a mixture of oaky bourbon whiskey, lemon or lime juice, simple syrup, and maple syrup.
Fall Sour isn’t just the perfect balance drink in fall but could also work for any season.
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon whiskey
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- ¾ oz pure maple syrup (simple syrup)
- ice
- Orange peel and a cocktail cherry (for garnish)
Instructions: Add the first three ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Fill the cocktail shaker with a handful of ice and shake the cocktail until cold.
Next, strain the mixture into an Old Fashioned or lowball glass. Serve with ice and garnish.
Serving: 1
2. Cure Punch
Cure’s Winter Punch is a punch perfect for sharing in the cold holiday party weather. It has muddled lemon peels with sugar combined with lemon juice, club soda, and sugars. Mix it in a big bowl or pitcher with your quality bourbon choice.
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle of bourbon (750ml)
- 4 lemons (Peeled)
- Lemon peels (muddled with sugar, set aside)
- 2 cups of soda water
- 2 oz Geijer Glögg
- 2 cups of Yogi Chai Green tea
- 1 cup of sugar
Instructions: Squeeze the lemons, then double-strain the lemon juice to remove all the pulp. Mix the soda water, tea, and lemon juice, then stir.
Strain out the lemon peels, add the bourbon and Geijer Glögg and put the mixture in a big bowl. Serve the cocktail over ice.
Serving: 1
1. Hanky Panky
Hanky Panky is a pre-Prohibition drink traditionally made with sweet vermouth, gin, and fernet. The bourbon cocktail recipe has been replicated multiple times. Now, it can be used with bourbon and whiskey as the main liquor ingredient.
Hanky Panky is a pre-Prohibition drink traditionally made with sweet vermouth, gin, and fernet. The bourbon cocktail recipe has been replicated multiple times.
Now, it can be used with bourbon and whiskey as the main liquor ingredient.
Prep Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 3 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 oz bourbon
- 1 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
- 1 dash of orange juice
- 2 dashes of Fernet-Branca
- Orange peel (garnish)
Instructions: Fill the mixing glass with ice, then pour the bourbon, Fernet-Branca, and sweet vermouth. You may add a dash of orange juice (optional).
Stir well (at least 30 seconds) and then strain it into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish, serve, and enjoy.
Serving: 1
FAQs
What is a good bourbon whiskey to drink in the cold?
Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon and Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon are some of the bourbon whiskey drinks to drink in the cold weather. [2] It could warm you up with its high-proof alcohol that gives a spiced finish for a winter bourbon night.
What are good drinks to mix with bourbon?
You can mix bourbon with citrus fruit like orange juice, lemon and lime juice, pineapple juice, and grapefruit juice. It’s also good with ginger ale, ginger beer or fresh ginger, sparkling wine, and Angostura bitters.
How do you drink bourbon whiskey in the winter?
Bourbon whiskey is suited for slow sipping in winter and served neat on the rocks. But a winter cocktail made with bourbon whiskey can also be enjoyed as slow sippers and are delightfully sippable.
Can you give examples of winter bourbon cocktails?
Certainly! Examples include classics like the Hot Toddy and Kentucky Coffee, as well as creative concoctions like the Bourbon Maple Smash and Spiced Bourbon Punch, all designed to keep you cozy and satisfied.
Why are bourbon cocktails popular in winter?
Bourbon’s rich, warming qualities make it a natural choice for winter cocktails. Its bold flavors pair perfectly with seasonal ingredients like cinnamon, apple, and maple, creating comforting and festive drinks.
Are winter bourbon cocktails easy to make at home?
Absolutely! Many winter bourbon cocktails are simple to prepare with just a few ingredients and basic bartending techniques, making them perfect for cozy nights in or entertaining guests.
Are there non-alcoholic options for winter bourbon cocktails?
Yes! You can create delicious non-alcoholic versions of winter bourbon cocktails by substituting bourbon with alcohol-free alternatives like apple cider, ginger beer, or herbal tea.
In A Nutshell
During the winter, it is sometimes difficult to figure out what bourbon cocktail is right for you and the weather. The winter bourbon cocktail recipes we listed will help you out.
May it be a hot cocktail or a classic cocktail, bourbon drinks are excellent in a chilly season. You can try these bourbon cocktails at home with some cocktail shaker or by simply stirring the ingredients.
References:
- https://www.seriouseats.com/the-brooklyn-cocktail-rye-maraschino-vermouth
- https://www.mensjournal.com/food-drink/winter-whiskeys-gift-drink/
