The origins of the cocktail date back to the 18th century when the first mixed drinks, often with added sugar, emerged to soften the harsh taste of raw spirits.
However, it was in the 19th century that cocktails truly began to gain popularity, especially in the United States, where the term "cocktail" was first recorded in a newspaper in 1806 to describe a mixture of alcohol, sugar, water, and bitters.
This era saw the birth of classics like the famous "Old Fashioned," made with whiskey, which you’ll soon master!
In the 1920s, Prohibition in the United States spurred innovation in the art of cocktails, as many recipes were created to mask the taste of bootleg alcohol.
The post-war period marked a new era of prosperity and experimentation, giving rise to iconic and sophisticated cocktails. Cocktails made with white rum, such as the Mai Tai or Daiquiri, were widely enjoyed in the United States.
Today, cocktails are celebrated worldwide, embodying creativity and craftsmanship, blending classic recipes with new creations.
Whiskey-based cocktails, which have stood the test of time, now stand as pioneers of the category with their own elegance.
As they continue to thrive, these cocktails offer an endless array of flavors and experiences through a diverse range of recipes.
In this article, we present 15 must-try whiskey cocktails.
Must-Try Whiskey Cocktails
1. Old Fashioned Cocktail
The "Old Fashioned" cocktail is considered one of the oldest known whiskey cocktails. The first documented use of the word "cocktail" in 1806 described a drink that closely resembled today’s Old Fashioned. This cocktail was popularized in Louisville, Kentucky, and even has a dedicated day in its honor: June 1st, "Old Fashioned Day."
Old Fashioned Recipe:
To make an Old Fashioned, start by placing a sugar cube in a whiskey glass. Add a few drops of bitters and a dash of water. Muddle until the sugar is dissolved. Fill the glass with ice, pour in 60 ml of whiskey (preferably rye), and stir gently. Garnish with an orange peel and a maraschino cherry.
Ingredients for an Old Fashioned:
- 1 sugar cube
- A few drops of bitters (preferably Angostura)
- A dash of water
- 60 ml of Michter's US 1 Bourbon
- 1 orange peel for garnish
- 1 maraschino cherry for garnish
2. Manhattan Cocktail
The Manhattan cocktail is another whiskey classic. It is said to have been invented at the prestigious Manhattan Club in New York during a reception organized by Jennie Jerome, Winston Churchill’s mother, in the 1870s. Although this story is widely circulated, other sources claim that the cocktail was developed by a bartender named Black, who worked at a bar on Broadway near Houston Street in New York.
Manhattan Recipe:
To craft a Manhattan, pour 50 ml of rye whiskey, 20 ml of sweet vermouth, and a dash of bitters into a mixing glass with some ice. Stir gently, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry for the finishing touch.
Ingredients for a Manhattan:
- 50 ml of Templeton Rye 4-Year Whiskey
- 20 ml of sweet vermouth
- 1 dash of bitters
- 1 maraschino cherry for garnish
3. Whisky Sour Cocktail
The Whisky Sour is part of the "sour" family of cocktails, which dates back to the mid-19th century. The cocktail combines the sweetness of sugar with the tartness of lemon, creating a perfect balance.
Whisky Sour Recipe:
To make a Whisky Sour, mix 45 ml of bourbon, 30 ml of fresh lemon juice, 15 ml of simple syrup, and (optional) one egg white in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until the mixture is well-chilled. Strain into a glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a cherry for decoration.
Ingredients for a Whisky Sour:
- 45 ml of Michter's US 1 Bourbon
- 30 ml of fresh lemon juice
- 15 ml of simple syrup
- 1 egg white (optional)
- 1 cherry for garnish
4. Mint Julep Cocktail
The Mint Julep is an iconic Southern cocktail, particularly associated with the Kentucky Derby, with origins dating back to the 18th century. Traditionally, it was considered a morning tonic. The Mint Julep has become a symbol of Southern hospitality and culture, especially in Kentucky, where bourbon reigns supreme.
Mint Julep Recipe:
To prepare a Mint Julep, place 5-6 fresh mint leaves and 15 ml of simple syrup in a glass. Gently muddle the mint leaves against the glass walls to release their essential oils. Fill the glass with crushed ice, add 60 ml of whiskey, and stir gently.
Ingredients for a Mint Julep:
- 5-6 fresh mint leaves
- 15 ml of simple syrup
- 60 ml of Blanton's Original
- Crushed ice
5. Rob Roy Cocktail
The Rob Roy is a variation of the Manhattan made with Scotch whisky. It was created in 1894 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York and is named after the Scottish folk hero Rob Roy MacGregor. This cocktail highlights the unique character of Scottish whiskies.
Rob Roy Recipe:
To craft a Rob Roy, mix 50 ml of Scotch whisky, 20 ml of sweet vermouth, and a dash of bitters in a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir, then strain into a pre-chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
Ingredients for a Rob Roy:
- 50 ml of Compass Box Glasgow Blend Whisky
- 20 ml of sweet vermouth
- 1 dash of bitters
- 1 maraschino cherry for garnish
6. Sazerac Cocktail
The Sazerac is one of the oldest known cocktails, originating in New Orleans in the mid-19th century. It was initially made with cognac, but whiskey (especially rye) eventually became the main ingredient. The cocktail is named after Sazerac-de-Forge et Fils cognac, which was its key ingredient at the time.
Sazerac Recipe:
To prepare a Sazerac, start by rinsing a chilled cocktail glass with absinthe, discarding the excess. In a mixing glass, add 60 ml of rye whiskey, 1 teaspoon of simple syrup, and three dashes of Peychaud's bitters. Stir with ice, then strain into the prepared glass. Express a lemon peel over the glass and use it as a garnish.
Ingredients for a Sazerac:
- 60 ml of rye whiskey
- Absinthe
- 1 teaspoon of simple syrup
- 3 dashes of Peychaud's bitters
- 1 lemon peel for garnish
Modern Whisky Cocktails
7. Penicillin Cocktail
The Penicillin is a modern cocktail created by bartender Sam Ross in 2005 in New York. It quickly became a contemporary classic due to its innovative combination of flavors: the sweetness of honey, the tartness of lemon, and the complexity of ginger, all enhanced by a touch of peated Scotch whisky.
Penicillin Recipe:
To make a Penicillin, shake 60 ml of unpeated Scotch whisky, 30 ml of fresh lemon juice, 15 ml of honey-ginger syrup, and a slice of fresh ginger in a shaker with ice. Finish by pouring 10 ml of peated Scotch whisky over the top of the cocktail. Garnish with a piece of candied ginger.
Ingredients for a Penicillin:
- 60 ml of Arran 10-Year Whisky
- 30 ml of fresh lemon juice
- 15 ml of honey-ginger syrup
- 10 ml of peated Scotch whisky
- 1 slice of fresh or candied ginger
8. Boulevardier Cocktail
The Boulevardier is a cocktail similar to the Negroni, made with bourbon instead of gin. It was created in the 1920s by Erskine Gwynne, an American expatriate living in Paris who founded the magazine Boulevardier. This cocktail reflects the elegance and lifestyle of Americans in Paris during the Roaring Twenties.
Boulevardier Recipe:
To make a Boulevardier, mix 45 ml of bourbon, 30 ml of Campari, and 30 ml of sweet vermouth in a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir well, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist for a citrus touch.
Ingredients for a Boulevardier:
- 45 ml of Bulleit 10-Year Bourbon
- 30 ml of Campari
- 30 ml of sweet vermouth
- Orange twist for garnish
9. Rusty Nail Cocktail
The Rusty Nail is a cocktail that gained popularity in the 1960s, although its origins date back to the 1930s. This simple yet elegant cocktail combines the creamy sweetness and herbal notes of Drambuie (a whisky liqueur) with the strength of Scotch whisky, offering a perfect balance between boldness and smoothness.
Rusty Nail Recipe:
To make a Rusty Nail, pour 45 ml of Scotch whisky and 25 ml of Drambuie into a whiskey glass over ice cubes. Stir gently to combine. Garnish with a lemon slice.
Ingredients for a Rusty Nail:
- 45 ml of Hankey Bannister 12-Year Scotch
- 25 ml of Drambuie
- Lemon slice for garnish
Refreshing Whisky Cocktails
10. Highball Cocktail
The Highball is a simple yet incredibly popular cocktail. The concept of the Highball has existed since the 19th century, but it was in the 1950s that the Japanese Highball began to take its modern form, emphasizing lightness and subtlety to highlight the whisky used.
Highball Recipe:
To prepare a Highball, fill a tall glass to the brim with ice cubes. Add 50 ml of whisky, preferably Japanese. Top up with cold soda water, then stir gently once. Garnish with a thin lemon slice for a touch of freshness.
Ingredients for a Highball:
- 50 ml of Nikka From the Barrel
- Soda water
- Lemon slice for garnish
11. John Collins or London Collins Cocktail
The John Collins, or London Collins, is a variation of the Tom Collins, with the main difference being the use of whiskey instead of gin. Its origin dates back to the 19th century in England, where it was popular in London taverns. The cocktail is named after a bartender who worked at a London hotel and bar.
John Collins Recipe:
To make a John Collins, mix the bourbon, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and a few ice cubes directly in the glass. Top up with soda water and stir gently. Garnish with a lemon slice and a maraschino cherry.
Ingredients for a John Collins:
- 60 ml of Woodford Reserve Bourbon
- 30 ml of fresh lemon juice
- 15 ml of simple syrup
- Soda water
- 1 lemon slice and maraschino cherry for garnish
12. Blood and Sand Cocktail
The Blood and Sand cocktail is named after the 1922 film Blood and Sand, starring Rudolph Valentino. It is one of the few classic whiskey cocktails that includes fruit juice. The original recipe was first published in The Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930. This balanced cocktail combines sweet, bitter, and fruity flavors.
Blood and Sand Recipe:
To prepare a Blood and Sand, mix equal parts—20 ml of Scotch whisky, 20 ml of sweet vermouth, 20 ml of fresh orange juice, and 20 ml of cherry liqueur (such as Cherry Heering)—in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange slice or a cherry for an elegant finishing touch.
Ingredients for a Blood and Sand:
- 20 ml of Shackleton Whisky
- 20 ml of sweet vermouth
- 20 ml of fresh orange juice
- 20 ml of cherry liqueur (Cherry Heering)
- 1 orange slice or cherry for garnish
13. Godfather Cocktail
The Godfather is a simple yet powerful cocktail, said to be a favorite of actor Marlon Brando, which may have inspired its name. Combining whisky with the sweetness of amaretto, this 1970s cocktail has become a classic, appreciated for its ease of preparation and rich flavor.
Godfather Recipe:
To make a Godfather, simply pour 50 ml of Scotch whisky and 25 ml of amaretto directly into a whiskey glass filled with ice. Stir gently to blend the flavors. No garnish is necessary, but you can add an orange twist for a citrus touch if desired.
Ingredients for a Godfather:
- 50 ml of Dalmore 12-Year Scotch Whisky
- 25 ml of Adriatico Amaretto
- Orange twist (optional) for garnish
Warm Whisky Cocktails
14. Hot Toddy Cocktail
The Hot Toddy is a comforting cocktail, perfect for cold evenings. The origin of the Hot Toddy is often attributed to Scotland, where it was used as a remedy against the cold and damp. This warm cocktail combines whisky with honey, lemon, and spices, creating a soothing and aromatic drink.
Hot Toddy Recipe:
To prepare a Hot Toddy, start by pouring 50 ml of whisky into a heat-resistant mug. Add one tablespoon of honey and two teaspoons of lemon juice. Fill with hot water and stir until the honey is fully dissolved. Garnish with a lemon slice and a cinnamon stick or a few cloves.
Ingredients for a Hot Toddy:
- 50 ml of Amrut Indian Single Malt
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
- Hot water
- 1 lemon slice for garnish
- Cinnamon stick or cloves for garnish
15 . Irish Coffee
The Irish Coffee was invented in the 1940s by Joe Sheridan, a bartender at Foynes Airport, a small port town in Ireland. It was created to warm up passengers after a transatlantic flight. The drink gained popularity after being introduced in San Francisco by an American journalist.
Irish Coffee Recipe:
To make an Irish Coffee, start by preheating a glass by filling it with hot water, then empty it. Add 45 ml of Irish whiskey and two teaspoons of brown sugar. Fill the glass with hot black coffee until about 2 cm from the rim. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Gently pour thick, unwhipped cream over the back of a spoon above the coffee, allowing it to float on the surface of the drink.
Ingredients for an Irish Coffee:
- 45 ml of Redbreast 12-Year Single Pot Still
- 2 teaspoons of brown sugar
- Hot black coffee
- Thick, unwhipped cream for garnish
TO EXPLORE WHISKIES FURTHER
La Maison du Whisky has three stores in Paris:
- 6 Carrefour de l'Odéon, 75006 Paris
- 11 rue Tiquetonne, 75002 Paris
In each of these stores, you can discover a wide range of whiskies, rums, sakes, and other spirits.
Because a whisky can be described in a thousand words, our advisors will be delighted to introduce you to the must-try American whiskeys available at La Maison du Whisky.
Check our tasting schedule for upcoming events, or visit the Golden Promise Whisky Bar, which offers a wide selection of whiskies and other spirits by the glass
