It's perfectly fine to enjoy your whiskey neat or on the rocks, but whiskey co*cktails (or "whisky" depending on where you are in the world) can highlight the spirit's flavor profile, manifest nostalgia, or enhance an occasion. The classic Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, Mint Julep, and Rob Roy certainly celebrate the best of whiskey's characteristics, and even whiskey lovers can find something new in creative whiskey drinks like the Scotch-based Paris Between the Wars, a rye-spiked Northern Standard, or a the warm Irish whiskey-kissed Gaelic Punch. From the whiskey co*cktails every home bartender should know to interesting whiskey drinks every enthusiast should try, these are our best whiskey co*cktail recipes.
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Old Fashioned
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According to co*cktail historian David Wondrich, the old-fashioned is a direct descendant of the earliest known co*cktail, which in 1806 consisted of "a little water, a little sugar, a lot of liquor and a couple splashes of bitters." Purists may scoff at the inclusion of a muddled cherry, but if it brings you pleasure, don't hold back.
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New York Sour
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With the perfect balance of fruity red wine and smoky-sweet bourbon, the New York Sour co*cktail is a classic for a reason. Shaking the co*cktail with large ice cubes will chill the co*cktail without diluting it, and those large cubes look great in a rocks glass or a great whiskey glass, too.
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Paris Between the Wars
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With rich smokiness from the blended Scotch, rounded bitterness from Campari, and a tart bite from fresh lemon juice, this co*cktail from New Orleans hospitality legends Ti and Lally Brennan is well-balanced and extra-refreshing thanks to a splash of sparkling wine.
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Classic Mint Julep
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When New Orleans bartender Chris McMillian mixes mint juleps at Bar UnCommon, he recites an ode, written in the 1890s by a Kentucky newspaperman, that calls the co*cktail "the zenith of man's pleasure…the very dream of drinks."
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Northern Standard
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This drink is a shade more complex than a Manhattan, thanks to three different bitter elements. Created by mixologist James Ives, this full-flavored co*cktail uses rye aged in charred barrels to balance out the richness of Carpano vermouth for a sip that's equally strong and smooth.
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Bourbon-Tea Julep
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Tannins from black tea add a beautiful hint of bitterness to author and bon vivant Alexander Small's twist on a classic mint julep. Oleo saccharum, also known as citrus oil, is made here by steeping lemon peels in sugar; its bright flavor is the perfect lift to finish each sip.
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Classic Manhattan
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Rye whiskey, vermouth, and Angostura bitters are all it takes to craft this iconic co*cktail. A cherry is the standard garnish, but if a lemon twist fits your mood, follow that bliss.
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Bottled Manhattan
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Pre-mixing batches of Dave Arnold and Don Lee's rye-forward Manhattan in bottles and stashing them in a cooler allows you to separate chilling from dilution, resulting in a perfect drink every time. Lee notes, "Making a bottled co*cktail is great for dinner party planning, too, because it lets you do the work ahead of time."
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Maple Bourbon Smash
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Grade A maple syrup isn't just for pancakes! We recommend using just half an ounce for a sweet, soothing sipper.
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Paper Plane
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One of our favorite whiskey co*cktails, the Paper Plane has just enough sweetness to counteract its bitter and sour notes, and its signature orange hue comes from Aperol.
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The Belmont
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2017 F&W Best New Chef Angie Mar's famed restaurant The Beatrice Inn may (sadly) be no longer, but this herbaceous, citrus-forward whiskey co*cktail remains absolutely worth making.
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Scotch and Soda
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This simple, two-ingredient drink showcases the genius of a highball co*cktail: this one-two punch combination elongates a spirit like Scotch into a taller drink while club soda dilutes the strong spirit and intensifies its aromas with effervescence.
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Arigato Sour
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This play on a sweet and tart whiskey sour features a citrus you may not have tried before: kabosu from Japan. Salvatore Tafuri uses Suntory Toki Japanese whiskey for its fruit-forward characteristics.
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Mr. J
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Port-finished Scotch blends with coffee and chocolate in this fireside-ready co*cktail.
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Matcha Highball
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A trip to Japan inspired Denver bartender Jason Patz to combine matcha (a vivid green-tea powder) with Japanese whisky.
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Gaelic Punch
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Punch prophet David Wondrich notes that for hot drinks, young Irish whiskeys work best. Heat intensifies the tannic edge of older whiskey; young ones stay smooth. Nutmeg, cloves, and citrus peels round out the cozy comfort.
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Blackberry-Mint Julep
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Blackberries add fruity, summery flavor to the classic warm-weather whiskey co*cktail.
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In Cold Blood
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The most popular order at Portland Hunt & Alpine Club in Maine, Andrew Volk's whiskey drink is "approachable but geekywith the salt," which he adds to balance the bitterness of the artichoke-flavored aperitif Cynar.
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Whiskey Chai
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This boozy, fragrant nightcap shines when you use high-quality cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
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Irish Buck co*cktail
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Light yet oaky, Irish whiskey joins tart lemon juice, honey, and spicy ginger beer in this refreshing, fizzy, basil-scented Irish Buck co*cktail.
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Homemade Eggnog
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Instead of making anyone choose between bourbon, rum, or brandy, this eggnog recipe generously calls for all three, resulting in a festive, complexly flavored drink that tastes deceptively innocent.
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