Delicious Whiskey Cocktails for Your Next Get-Together

A good whiskey is a staple of any great event. Whether you’re having a night in with friends or hosting a party, this classic alcohol can step up any gathering. However, not everyone likes their drink neat, so having some whiskey cocktails helps ensure everyone can join in on the smoky or sweet flavors without the extra burn.

This list will give you inspiration you can use to prepare for your next get-together or big event. Try out these five delicious whiskey cocktails to tantalize your tastebuds and make your drink even smoother.

1. Irish Buck Cocktail

This sweeter mixed drink is a lighter take on a whiskey cocktail. Guests who want a brighter drink may enjoy having the Irish Buck Cocktail as an option.

To start, you’ll need to either buy or make your own honey syrup, which only needs some water, honey and heat. Once the syrup has cooled, combine it with one and a half ounces of Irish whiskey, two ounces of ginger beer and one-half ounce of the honey mixture and lemon juice respectively into a shaker. Strain the cocktail over ice and garnish a sprig of rosemary or basil.

2. New York Sour

This classy mix requires bourbon, a variety of whiskey — but not all whiskeys are bourbons. Bourbon is specifically made in the U.S. and requires a fermentation mixture of at least 51% corn. It turns out this vegetable is a fantastic addition to a barbeque in two ways.

To make a New York Sour, pour three-fourths of an ounce of simple or maple syrup, an ounce of lemon juice and two ounces of bourbon whiskey into a shaker. If you want, you can also add an ounce of egg white — this adds a smoother texture, but it’s optional. Shake the mixture for 20 seconds, then add ice and continue to shake for half a minute. Strain it into a glass with ice and pour red wine over the back of a spoon to float it over the drink.

3. Old-Fashioned

An Old-Fashioned is one of the most classic whiskey cocktails. The drink has its origins in 1806 when people used to drink it early in the morning — probably as a hangover cure.

Though its name sounds fancy, the Old-Fashioned is pretty easy to make. First, take a glass and add one teaspoon — or one cube — of sugar. Add one teaspoon of water and stir until you’ve dissolved all the sugar. Then, fill the glass with ice and pour two ounces of whiskey or bourbon into the glass. Take an orange peel, smack it between your hands and place it in the glass to garnish.

4. Gaelic Punch

If you’re serving a large crowd in the winter, whipping up a Gaelic Punch will warm everyone up quickly. This is a big batch recipe, so you’ll be able to serve quite a few with this yummy drink.

Take a heatproof serving container and muddle the zest of six lemons with three-fourths of a cup of raw sugar. Leave it for two hours and muddle again. Shortly before the two hours are up, bring 40 ounces of water to a boil and add eight ounces of the water to the freshly muddled mixture and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add in one 750-ounce bottle of Irish whiskey, add the rest of the water and garnish with nutmeg and lemon wedges studded with cloves.

5. Morrison Mule

Have a friend who loves a Moscow mule? Switch up their favorite drink by making them a Morrison Mule instead.

Pour one and a half ounces of bourbon or whiskey, a half ounce of Aperol or Apertivo, four ounces of ginger beer and half an ounce of lime juice into a glass with ice. Stir this with a bar spoon or a regular one and add a strip of orange peel for garnish.

Mix Up a Few Whiskey Cocktails for Friends and Family

Any of these incredible drinks are sure to please the people you know. They cater to various tastes, so you can make something delicious for everyone. Try any one of these great whiskey cocktails at your next small get-together or big party.