12 Best Whiskey Cocktails, From Easy to Classic

Whiskey makes some of the richest and most comforting cocktails there are. Some are strong and stirred, some are bright and sour, and a few are perfect for cold nights. Here are 12 whiskey cocktails worth knowing, starting with the easy ones.

Easy and Approachable

1. Whiskey Sour

Bourbon, lemon, sugar, and egg white if you like. Tart, smooth and very friendly. A great first whiskey cocktail. Whiskey sour guide.

2. Paper Plane

Equal parts bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino and lemon. Bittersweet, citrusy and easy to remember. A modern classic from the late 2000s. Paper Plane recipe.

3. Mint Julep

Bourbon, sugar and fresh mint over crushed ice. Icy, minty and the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. Mint Julep recipe.

4. Irish Coffee

Irish whiskey, hot coffee, sugar and lightly whipped cream. Warm and cozy. The cream floats on top, so don't stir. Irish Coffee recipe.

Strong and Stirred

5. Old Fashioned

Whiskey, sugar, bitters and an orange twist. The original cocktail, and still one of the best. Old Fashioned recipe.

6. Manhattan

Rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters. Rich, smooth and a little spicy. Stir 50 ml rye with 20 ml sweet vermouth and a dash of bitters. Manhattan recipe.

7. Boulevardier

Bourbon, Campari and sweet vermouth. A whiskey Negroni: bitter, sweet and warming. Boulevardier recipe.

8. Sazerac

Spirit, sugar, Peychaud's bitters and an absinthe rinse. New Orleans in a glass. Made with rye, cognac, or both. Sazerac recipe.

9. Vieux Carré

Rye, cognac, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine and bitters. Deep, complex and slow-sipping. Another New Orleans classic. Vieux Carré recipe.

10. Rusty Nail

Scotch and Drambuie over ice. Two ingredients, honeyed and warming. Rusty Nail recipe.

Modern and Special

11. Penicillin

Blended scotch, lemon, honey-ginger syrup and a float of smoky Islay whisky. Sweet, spicy, sour and smoky in one sip. Created in New York in 2005. Penicillin recipe.

12. New York Sour

A whiskey sour with a red wine float. Two layers, one stunning drink. New York Sour recipe.

Which Whiskey to Use

Bourbon: sweet, with vanilla and caramel. Great in sours, juleps and the Old Fashioned.
Rye: drier and spicier. The classic choice for the Manhattan and Sazerac.
Scotch: blended scotch is great for mixing. Smoky Islay malts are best used in small amounts.
Irish whiskey: light and smooth. Perfect in Irish Coffee and highballs.

You don't need an expensive bottle for mixing. A solid mid-range whiskey at 43 to 50% ABV holds up best against ice and other ingredients.

Whiskey Cocktails FAQ

What's the easiest whiskey cocktail? A whiskey highball: whiskey and soda water over ice. Or a Rusty Nail with just two ingredients.

What's the best whiskey cocktail for beginners? The Whiskey Sour. The lemon and sugar soften the whiskey a lot.

Should whiskey cocktails be shaken or stirred? Shake the ones with citrus (sours). Stir the ones without (Manhattan, Old Fashioned). See shaken vs stirred.