Food and Recipes Entertaining Ideas & Tips 25 Bourbon Cocktail Recipes Made For Sipping In Every Season Including classic sippers like bourbon sweet tea, bourbon-spiked Arnold Palmers, and refined mint juleps. By Alana Al-Hatlani Alana Al-Hatlani Alana Al-Hatlani is an Assistant Food Editor at Southern Living. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on December 7, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis If we had to pick a house beverage for the South, it would likely be a bourbon cocktail. This Kentucky-born spirit is a Southern signature whiskey that has made a huge resurgence in the past decade. Now, the old-fashioned is getting new-fashioned makeovers in bars across the South, and there are entire menus devoted to bourbon cocktails. What's the best way to drink bourbon? You can't go wrong with on-the-rocks or straight-up, but it's hard not to love these jazzy bourbon cocktail recipes. Including classic sippers like bourbon sweet tea, bourbon-spiked Arnold Palmers, and refined mint juleps for Derby Day—plus, summery spritzes and adult slushes that are too tasty to resist—this list can make a bourbon expert out of any home bartender. So get out your highball glasses and your shaker, because these bourbon cocktails are perfect for quiet nights on the porch and lively parties. 01 of 25 Bourbon-Peach Iced Tea Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Kay E. Clarke; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin Peach offers the most amazing tart, sweet infusion into traditional bourbon sweet tea. It's just the recipe to kick off peach season (or pull out those peach slices you put up in the freezer). Get The Recipe 02 of 25 Big-Batch Spiked Arnold Palmers Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Spiked with bourbon or rum, this lemonade and sweet tea mixture is just for the adults. Garnish with fresh mint and lemon slices for a sophisticated presentation. Get The Recipe 03 of 25 Basil Bourbon Orange Smash Becky Luigart Stayner Once you've tried this bourbon-rich, orange-infused smash cocktail, you'll never want to go back to any other summertime refreshment. To bring out the citrus flavor, muddle oranges in our Basil Simple Syrup, bourbon, and fresh juice. Get The Recipe 04 of 25 Bourbon-Cider Mule Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Trade out the vodka for bourbon in this special take on a Moscow Mule. With sweet apple cider and a garnish of apple slices, this cocktail fits right in at any game day or fall event. Get The Recipe 05 of 25 Cherry Bourbon Cheerwine Becky Luigart Stayner Bring back a nostalgic childhood favorite with a boozy twist. This cheerful Southern drink gets its rosy hue from cherry bitters and maraschino cherries. Bourbon and lemon juice give it extra spunk. Get The Recipe 06 of 25 Shoo-Fly Punch Beth Dreiling Hontzas Ginger beer is the main ingredient in this spicy but refreshing cocktail, but we also add a splash of ginger liqueur for an extra pop. We can't say if it will keep the flies away, but we know this beverage will cool you off while you're sitting on the porch. Get The Recipe 07 of 25 Sweet Tea Mule Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall This mule recipe inserts bourbon and iced tea for a concoction we're happy to sip all summer long. Invite your friends and mix up a batch for eight. Get The Recipe 08 of 25 Mint Julep Slush Caitlin Bensel We turned a classic bourbon cocktail on its head with one tiny change (hint: it's slushed ice). And trust us, it's a game-changer on a hot day. Get The Recipe 09 of 25 Spiced Tea Bourbon Refresher Becky Luigart Stayner This isn't your basic Arnold Palmer, thanks to spiced black tea bags (we especially like Constant Comment for its blend of citrus and spice). The spiced tea is complemented by lemonade, bourbon, and just a touch of sweetness. Get The Recipe 10 of 25 Mississippi Mudslides Becky Luigart-Stayner A chocolate milkshake with an extra kick that makes it even more enjoyable—that's what a Mississippi Mudslide brings to the table. We combine coffee ice cream with the chocolate for extra-rich flavor. Get The Recipe 11 of 25 Spicy Bourbon-Citrus Punch Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox Talk about a happy hour sensation. This bourbon punch is as bright and cheery on the table as it is delicious when it hits your lips. The Spiced Simple Syrup makes it a great choice for your next holiday event. Get The Recipe 12 of 25 Sweet Old Fashioned Southern Living This bourbon classic is just as appropriate for warming up by the fire as it is for cooling off by the pool. If you want to highlight the sweet notes of the drink, garnish with maraschino cherries. If you want to draw out the sharper, acidic flavors, use orange rinds and lemon slices. Get The Recipe 13 of 25 Frozen Peach Old Fashioned Hector Sanchez This is one beautiful and boozy peach smoothie. Triple the peach flavor with frozen peaches, peach sorbet, and peach nectar, then add acidity with orange bitters and bourbon. Get The Recipe 14 of 25 Triple B Milk Punch Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke You don't only get bourbon with this recipe, but also brandy and buttermilk, too. That's where it gets the name, "Triple B." This cozy winter drink is perfect for the holidays. Use a cinnamon stick as a stirrer. Get The Recipe 15 of 25 Hot Bourbon-Orange Tea Toddy Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas Something about a Hot Toddy really warms the soul. Whip up this recipe that uses orange tea and fresh ginger for a before or after-dinner drink. Get The Recipe 16 of 25 Bourbon Apple Cider Thyme Punch Caitlin Bensel This one's bound to get you in the autumn mood. Bourbon, apple cider, and thyme are a trio that will warm your soul. Start with our Thyme Simple Syrup, which is as easy to make as standard syrup, but with the addition of sprigs of thyme. Get The Recipe 17 of 25 Maple Bourbon Smash Becky Luigart Stayner We made this bourbon smash as cozy as a Sunday morning with the addition of pure maple syrup. The sweetness cuts the taste of the alcohol along with fresh lemon juice and sage. Get The Recipe 18 of 25 Bourbon Slush Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox This adult slushy combines tea, lemonade, orange juice, and bourbon for the ultimate Southern cocktail. Contributing Editor Elizabeth Heiskell says, "This drink is subtle and absolutely drinkable, and it will quickly become your most favorite game day or party go-to." Get The Recipe 19 of 25 Mississippi Bourbon Punch Southern Living Muscadine wine stars in this spirited concoction of grenadine, bourbon, and a variety of fruit juices and sodas. If you can't get your hands on it, substitute with Chardonnay. Get The Recipe 20 of 25 Aperol-Bourbon Fizz Becky Luigart Stayner In this refreshing fizz, orange liqueur pairs wonderfully with bourbon. The recipe is easy to make, but rubbing the rim of the glass with an orange peel twist makes it that much more special. Get The Recipe 21 of 25 Chatham Artillery Punch Will Dickey This punch is packed with light rum, cognac, bourbon, and Champagne, so you know it's strong. The Georgia recipe dates back to 19th century—and what can we say, some things only get better with time. Get The Recipe 22 of 25 Black-Eyed Susan Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox The official drink of the Preakness Stakes since 1973, this orange-flavored cocktail is named after Maryland's state flower, the Black-Eyed Susan. This recipe calls for bourbon (or rum), vodka, orange liqueur, orange juice, and sour mix. Get The Recipe 23 of 25 Coconut Bourbon Spritz Southern Living With this recipe, you can add lemon in the coconut, and mix it all up. This coconut-forward cocktail is made with four simple ingredients: lemon, coconut, sugar, and bourbon—plus, sparkling and still water. Get The Recipe 24 of 25 Big Batch Bourbon Ginger Ale Punch Caitlin Bensel This bourbon punch involves just one step: pour in a pitcher and stir. Because it uses fizzy Champagne and ginger ale, stir gently. Get The Recipe 25 of 25 Mint Julep Forrest Mason Mint juleps are the quintessential Southern cocktail. All you need for this classic version is fresh mint, powdered sugar, and bourbon. Gently press the mint against the sides of the glass to release its flavor. Get The Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit