23 Bourbon Cocktails for Dinner Parties and Quiet Evenings by the Fire
This collection of bourbon cocktails is my favorite kind of winter project: a cool-weather bucket list. Before fall and winter are over, I want to walk among colorful leaves, gather around a bonfire, build a snowman, and sip my way across the canon of classic bourbon drinks—plus a few newer concoctions that have become Epicurious staff favorites. Below you’ll find hot toddies and festive holiday cocktails, easy equal-parts drinks and big-batch cocktails for a crowd. Spend bourbon season sipping through this list, and you just might find a new favorite whiskey cocktail before spring arrives.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton1/23Old-Fashioned
We'll kick off the list with an old-school drink that never gets old. This is one of those bourbon cocktails that's best with a bourbon you really love—there's really nowhere for a sub-par spirit to hide.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich3/23Paper Plane
If you like drinks that are tart and a little bit bitter, you'll love this simple cocktail, which perfectly balances bourbon, Aperol, lemon, and citrusy, luscious Amaro Nonino.
Photo by Kelly Puleio7/23Newton's Law
This one's about as easy as whiskey cocktails get. Shake together bourbon, lemon, brown sugar, and store-bought or homemade apple butter for a flavor that's pure fall.
Photo by Paul H. Christian, Food Styling by Michele Figliuolo8/23Hot Toddy
You can actually toddy any drink, but this classic formula is great with a simple pour of bourbon.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou9/23Paradise Apple
Thinking about Thanksgiving cocktail options? I highly recommend this recipe for your Turkey Day drinking. Bartender Lynnette Marrero layers bourbon, cider, dry riesling, and a touch of floral liqueur for a cocktail that's sophisticated and bright.
Photo by Julie Soefer10/23Old Pepper
In this drink from Alba Huerta's Julep, bourbon and turbinado syrup (made from Sugar in the Raw) meet savory Worcestershire sauce and Crystal hot sauce.
Photo by Shutterstock12/23Boulevardier
This relative of the Negroni is especially great in cooler weather. You can make it with your favorite bourbon—or rye.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Kate Schmidt16/23Cherry-Bourbon Soda Can Cocktail
Photo by Paul H. Christian, Food Styling by Michele Figliuolo18/23Strawberry, Grapefruit, and Chamomile Brunch Punch
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi19/23Mike's Milk Punch
This frothy, creamy cocktail feels festive without any eggs in the mix. It's simply made with bourbon, half and half, milk, vanilla extract, sugar, and freshly grated whole nutmeg.
