As the temperatures drop, there’s nothing quite like wrapping up in a blanket with a cocktail that brings warmth to the body and soul. Bourbon as a lovely, high-proof spirit, is the perfect choice for a base spirit for fall and winter drinks. This season, let’s delve into a few classic bourbon cocktails that elevate the art of cozy sipping. Here’s a lineup that mixes winter comfort with timeless taste, perfect for bourbon aficionados and anyone who enjoys a classic cocktail during the chilly months.
Try pairing these with your favorite comfy sweater, a cozy fuzzy blanket or your favorite warm booties while you sip in comfort at home.
*Images Courtesy of Cocktail Contessa
1. The Bourbon Toddy
Nothing says winter like the Hot Toddy. It’s a centuries-old remedy for colds, chilly evenings, and with a bit of bourbon, it becomes a cure for the winter blues too!
- 1 ½ oz bourbon (80-90 proof)
- 1 tbsp honey
- ½ oz lemon juice
- Hot tea (black tea, chai or earl grey preferred) or hot apple cider to top
- Cinnamon stick and lemon slice for garnish
Warm the mug by filling it with hot water and letting it sit while you gather the ingredients. Then, empty and combine bourbon, honey, and lemon in the warmed mug. Stir a bit, then top with hot tea or cider. Stir, garnish, and enjoy a warm hug in a cup.
*Images Courtesy of Cocktail Contessa
2. Smoke and Oak Bourbon Hot Chocolate
A boozy twist on a childhood favorite, this rich and velvety hot chocolate with a splash of bourbon is perfect for a snow day (or any day you just want to unwind).
- 10 – 12 oz hot chocolate
- 2 oz oaky bourbon – we tested with Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
- Dash of ground cinnamon
- Dash of cayenne
- Bar spoon smoky scotch or mezcal (can omit)
- Garnish: smoked whipped cream**, dash of cinnamon powder, drizzle of chocolate
Add the hot chocolate to a warm mug. Add bourbon, a dash of cayenne powder, a dash of ground cinnamon and a bar spoon of smoky scotch or mezcal. Whisk to combine. If you want to be fancy, layer 1-2 oz of smoked whipped cream on top and a dash of ground cinnamon.
**Smoked Whipping Cream:
- 3 oz whipping cream
- ¼ oz smoky scotch or mezcal
Combine 3 oz cold whipping cream with ½ oz mezcal or smoky Scotch in a small jar. Shake vigorously until the cream becomes thick and viscous.
*Images Courtesy of Cocktail Contessa
3. Maple Old Fashioned
A twist on the classic Old Fashioned, the addition of maple syrup adds a perfect sweetness with wintery depth.
- 2 oz bourbon (95-105 proof)
- ¼ oz barrel-aged maple syrup (adjust to taste)
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- 1 dash orange or cinnamon bitters
- Orange peel for garnish
Combine bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters in a glass with ice. Stir until chilled, then garnish with an orange peel for a cocktail as cozy as it is timeless.
4. Bourbon Mulled Cider for the Party
Why does red wine get all the love with mulling in the holiday season? Let’s stick with our favorite spirit, whiskey, and create a tasty riff on mulled wine that celebrates all the spice notes that soar in bourbon.
- 2 – 3 cups bourbon, 90-100 proof
- ¾ cup chai simple syrup (½ cup strong chai tea + ½ cup sugar)
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 4 cups hot chai tea
- 4 cups hot apple cider optional if you decide to use chai tea as the full base
- Optional – mulling spices: 4 cinnamon sticks, cracked, 10 cloves, 10 cardamom, 1 star anise, 1” fresh ginger, peeled and sliced, 10 allspice, 1 orange, sliced.
- Garnish: orange slice, cinnamon stick, or apple slice
Add all ingredients except bourbon to a large stock pan or a crock pot. Simmer with spices for at least 30 minutes. Turn down heat, the add bourbon until warm, then strain into a mug and garnish with an orange slice and star anise for an inviting presentation.
*Images Courtesy of Cocktail Contessa
5. Bourbon Eggnog
Eggnog may be a holiday staple, but for bourbon enthusiasts, the spirit of choice isn’t cognac or brandy, but whiskey! Bourbon gives it that little something extra. Creamy, spiced, and indulgent, bourbon eggnog is a seasonal must. It’s best made a few days in advance of serving, and a stand mixer makes beating the egg yolks easy while you work on other holiday treats.
- 12 egg yolks
- 1 ¾ cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon bourbon barrel-aged vanilla
- 1 ½ cups 100 proof bourbon
- 1/3 cup cognac
- 3 cups heavy whipping cream whipped
- 3 cups half and half
- Garnish: fresh grated nutmeg cinnamon stick
Beat egg yolks in a stand mixer for 5 minutes or until lightened a bit. Add in the sugar, and mix until the batter is thick – almost like a cake batter. Add in the vanilla and nutmeg. Add the bourbon and amaretto in small amounts at a time. Transfer to a glass jar or container and refrigerate for at least 24 hours. Fold in the whipped cream and half and half. Adjust ratios of cream, half and half and bourbon to give it your desired consistency. Store in the fridge until ready to serve. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg.
*Images Courtesy of Cocktail Contessa
6. The Winter-Spiced Manhattan
For a more elegant evening, Manhattan is a winter staple. But, let’s add a little of our favorite winter spices to the cocktail to make it extra..
- 2 oz bourbon
- 3/4 oz sweet vermouth
- ¼ oz allspice dram or ¼ oz cinnamon whiskey (NOT Fireball)
- 2 dashes cinnamon or ginger bitters
- Cherry for garnish
Stir bourbon, vermouth, liqueurs and bitters in a mixing glass filled with ice, then strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a cherry, sit back, and savor each sip.
Bringing It All Together
Each of these cocktails brings out bourbon’s warmth, sweetness, and subtle spice, making them ideal companions for long winter nights. So, go ahead—pick your favorite, pour yourself a glass, and raise a toast to the season’s simplest pleasure: bourbon in good company.