25 Best Bourbon Cocktails Ranked

When it comes to a good cocktail, bourbon does it right. The spirit has deep, distinct flavors which can really take your drink to the next level. We love bourbon-based cocktails not only for the taste, but also for the diversity; Flaviar says these flavors can be both sweet and smooth, ranging from maple to caramel to chocolate, depending on which bourbon you choose. While many might associate bourbon with strong, bitter drinks, there are in fact plenty of other options out there that are light, bubbly, and even refreshing, highlighting those sweet notes.

With the many different types of bourbon cocktails to enjoy, it can be overwhelming to know where to get started or which one will match your preferences best — the good news is, it doesn't have to be. We compiled an list of the 25 best bourbon cocktails to help you make a decision the next time you order that first, second, or third round.

Many turn to the mint julep for that classic bourbon cocktail to pair with a big hat while watching the Kentucky Derby, and we get it. The cool drink is all about being refreshing, and if you're in the south in springtime, you want nothing more than something that quenches your thirst ... while also giving you a buzz.

However, Liqour.com says that we shouldn't forget the mint julep's long-lost relative: the whiskey smash. This cocktail has been around since 1887 but didn't become truly popular until the late '80s when "King Cocktail" Dale DeGroff from New York City's famous Rainbow Room began serving it to customers. We see why this cocktail was (and still is) a favored choice by many. The recipe doesn't call for a lot — just bourbon, lemon, simple syrup, and mint — but the key to this drink is properly muddling the lemon and adding mint leaves to the shaker for a real flavor kick.

Sweet tea is a favorite refreshment in the southern states. According to MasterClass, it's a delicious drink with an earthy — and sugary — flavor just about everyone enjoys. It's easily customizable too! Made by brewing black tea with lots of sugar and then placing the drink in the refrigerator to chill, the recipe can vary by location and within families. But when it comes to sweet tea one thing always stays the same: how incredibly refreshing it is on a hot day.

Naturally, you can take this classic Southern sip up a notch by adding some booze to the mix. This Worthey Life calls bourbon sweet tea the adult version of the refreshing drink, and suggests using sour mash bourbon because it is generally sweeter than other varieties and has pleasant notes of maple and vanilla that pair well with the black tea. Don't forget the sugar (or simple syrup, if you're not preparing a batch of sweet tea to spike) and lemon wedge!

Eggnog is no doubt a favorite holiday beverage. This drink is extra creamy, which adds all the cozy feels, while the grated nutmeg helps make things taste (and look) more festive. While you can simply drink eggnog on its own (especially if you're hosting a party with kids) eggnog if often spiked with alcohol for when the adults want to get a good buzz during the season.

Sure, rum and brandy are always great choices to use with your eggnog, as both will make for a smooth sip, but let's rule out bourbon. My Kitchen Love says bourbon eggnog makes for an excellent cocktail for any holiday soirée, because it adds spice and warmth to every glass, and we couldn't agree more. Cozy up with this drink next to a fire, serve it in a giant punch bowl at your winter party, or even put it in a thermos to cap off your next outdoor winter adventure.

We're big fans of ginger and love adding it to all sorts of recipes: whether it be in our crispy fried chicken or crunchy wontons. And when it comes to cocktails, we've always been keen on using it to whip up some simply, but impressive vodka martinis. But then we discovered the Ginger Rabbit, and realized how much we had been missing. The cocktail is sweet and tasty, and after one sip you'll see why we consider it to be one of the best bourbon cocktails around.

Liquor.com credits Damian Windsor with creating the unique drink, which is made by combining bourbon and Angostura bitters with ginger muddled with lemon. While all of these ingredients are delicious when mixed together, what will really take your Ginger Rabbit to the next level is a homemade simple syrup. Featuring black tea and anise, the sugary addition adds a lovely spice note to the mix. Windsor's recipe also calls for crème yvette, a fruity, violet-flavored liqueur. 

The classic Sidecar cocktail has been around for a quite some time. Invented in Paris back in the 1920s, according to The Taste Edit, it continues to be a winner today due to it's great flavor and sophisticated vibe. This cocktail offers the right amount of citrus for a delightful sour kick, thanks to the lemon juice and orange liqueur. As for the liquor, you'll typically find it's made with either brandy or cognac.

While we can't knock a classic, we can get pumped for a twist on something we already love. A Bourbon Sidecar calls for just about everything the original Sidecar needs, but rather than using brandy or cognac, Food.com says it's all about the bourbon (hence the name). Here, you'll mix all the ingredients and ice all in a shaker then strain into a glass. Finish off by adding an orange twist for the garnish and you're ready for one tasty, simple sip. 

When it comes to sour cocktails, there are plenty of them to choose from, including the Sidecar and Whiskey Sour, which we discussed above. The cocktails are usually fairly easy to make with just three main ingredients, says Differs Guide, which include a spirt, citrus, and sweetener. The blend makes for a taste that is well-balanced and ... well, sour. Baking Beauty says the cocktail is the perfect drink for a party, as it's easy to make at home and offers a pleasantly nutty flavor.

Making an Amaretto Sour with bourbon might be lesser-known than the others sour drinks, but should not be passed up. For this recipe, use amaretto, simple syrup, lemon juice, and your favorite bourbon. Bartender Jeffrey Morgenthaler explained to Liquor.com that bourbon is an even match for the amaretto, adding another level of complexity to the sometimes overly sweet drink.

And just like that, we bring it back to sour cocktails. The New York Sour is one to be loved, and definitely one of the best bourbon drinks out there, as it's the perfect mix of liquor and wine, making for one potent sip that goes down nice and smooth. Plus, it's impressive to look at with its two-toned color, and if you make it on your own, you're bound to feel like a professional. 

Combine bourbon, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup together, then shake with ice. Using the spoon method, carefully pour red wine over the top of the drink to make that perfect red float. Seal the deal with lemon zest if you have it on hand. Food & Wine says you can also add an egg white to the mix for a thicker consistency. Simply add it directly in the shaker with the other ingredients for a frothy drink.

Mulled cider is an all-around winner in our minds. Not only does it taste incredible with all its spiced, fruity flavors, but it smells just as amazing while you're making it, helping your kitchen feel as inviting as ever. It's a great fall or winter drink to enjoy both on its own or with alcohol when you're looking to kick it up, which is why we're so keen on it.

Kentucky mulled cider takes all the things we already love about this warming drink and enhances it by adding bourbon to the mix. All you have to do is combine bourbon, hot apple cider, and your favorite spices. If you're feeling festive, Maine Spirits says to garnish with a cinnamon stick and lemon slice. This is a drink that will surely keep you feeling super cozy during the chilliest seasons.

Living somewhere warm but dreaming of falling leaves and autumn sweaters? Try our boozy cider slushi.

When we think of a hot toddy, we are reminded of cold nights, snowstorms, and everything else that winter brings, all while staying cozy inside by a fire, enjoying a warm cup of boozy goodness. The history behind the drink is up for debate, says Vinepair, with some swearing an Irish doctor invented it, prescribing his patients to drink a similar concoction, and others believing it was created by the British (who were likely inspired by an Indian recipe), who had a habit of mixing hot water and Scotch at the time. 

While the history might be unclear, our appreciation for a good hot toddy is not. If you're looking to make a cozy hot toddy tonight, we got you. Keep things easy by adding bourbon, honey, lemon juice, cinnamon sticks, and cloves to a mug of hot water. Just don't forget the lemon for a garnish. This spiked drink will be sure to keep you warm all winter long.

The Revolver may have not been around for a long time, but it's still very much a go-to for many who are in the know when it comes to bourbon cocktails. Created in San Francisco back in 2004 by bartender Jon Santer, Punch says this modification of the classic Manhattan cocktail took some experimenting to get just right. Loaded with bottles of Bulleit Bourbon (which at the time was an almost unknown brand), Santer was searching for the perfect concoction to feature the spirit. Now, the Revolver has morphed into one splendid cocktail we're happy to have. 

Creative Culinary says this cocktail offers a whole lot of flavor, thanks to the spiced orange bitters, coffee liqueur, and overall sweetness of the bourbon. To make this recipe, simply stir all the ingredients with ice and pour into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish the drink with an orange twist, and if you're feeling bold, you can make the orange twist flamed for some added smoky flavor.

Sure, we all know the Tom Collins, a light and bubbly drink made with gin, lemon juice, sugar, and club soda. It's refreshing and easy to drink, so its no wonder the simple cocktail has been a favorite of so many for years and years. But some may have never heard of the John Collins, and yet, we really think everyone should. This drink is by far one of the best bourbon cocktails around and with one sip you'll see why. 

According to Kentucky Bourbon brand Basil Hayden, this spin on the traditional Tom Collins uses bourbon instead of gin. For this cocktail, you'll add the bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup over ice. From there, you'll stir the drink and then add the club soda. Garnish with an orange slice and cherry if you like, and voila! Your new favorite easy-going bourbon drink. You're welcome.

A Manhattan is one of the most well-known whiskey drinks around. While Spirit Of York Distillery Co says you can use either rye or bourbon, we tend to choose the latter as it offers a smooth, caramel note. The cocktail is believed to have emerged in the 1880s, but the exact history is unknown, with stories of it being invented for Winston Churchill's mother or by "a man named Black." In the end, it doesn't really matter where or how this drink came about. All that matters is how good it is, which is why it's held on for all these years.

While this cocktail might seem intimidating to craft correctly, it only requires three main ingredients: bourbon, sweet vermouth, and aromatic bitters. (Some recipes call for a sweetener as well, like Curaçao.) Inspired Taste says be sure to remember to serve this cocktail neat so the ice doesn't dilute the flavor.