21 Must-Try Whiskey Cocktails for a Refreshing Summer

The Whiskey Sour is a timeless classic, beloved for its perfect balance of sweet and sour. A staple at any summer gathering, this cocktail combines the rich flavors of whiskey with the zesty tang of lemon, smoothed over with a hint of sweetness.

Ingredients

2 oz whiskey

3/4 oz fresh lemon juice

1/2 oz simple syrup

Ice cubes

Lemon slice and cherry for garnish

Method

In a shaker, combine whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup.

Fill the shaker with ice and shake well until chilled.

Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.

Garnish with a lemon slice and a cherry.

The Whiskey Highball is the epitome of simplicity and elegance. This refreshing cocktail is a delightful blend of smooth whiskey and sparkling soda water, served in a tall glass to accentuate its effervescence.

Ingredients

2 oz whiskey

4 to 6 oz chilled soda water

Ice cubes

Lemon twist for garnish

Method

Fill a highball glass with ice.

Pour in the whiskey.

Top with chilled soda water.

Gently stir and garnish with a lemon twist.

The Whiskey Smash is a delightful fusion of citrus and mint, muddled together with whiskey. This cocktail is a summery twist on the classic Mint Julep, offering a refreshing burst of flavors.

Ingredients

2 oz whiskey

Half a lemon, cut into wedges

4-6 fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish

3/4 oz simple syrup

Ice cubes

Method

In a shaker, muddle the lemon wedges and mint leaves with the simple syrup.

Add whiskey and fill the shaker with ice.

Shake well and strain into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice.

Garnish with a mint sprig.

The Kentucky Maid is a lesser-known but equally delightful summer cocktail. It's a refreshing blend of bourbon, cucumber, and mint, perfect for those looking to explore beyond traditional whiskey drinks.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• 3 slices of cucumber
• 4-6 mint leaves
• 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• Ice cubes

Method

• Muddle the cucumber slices and mint leaves in a shaker.
• Add bourbon, lime juice, simple syrup, and fill with ice.
• Shake well and strain into a chilled glass.
• Garnish with a mint leaf or cucumber slice.

Dive into the refreshing simplicity of the Bourbon Rickey, a classic cocktail that brings together the boldness of bourbon with the sharpness of lime. It's a sparkling drink that's as straightforward as it is delightful, perfect for those balmy summer evenings.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• Half a lime
• Sparkling water
• Ice cubes

Method

• Squeeze the juice from half a lime into a highball glass.
• Drop the squeezed lime into the glass.
• Add the bourbon and fill the glass with ice cubes.
• Top off with sparkling water and give it a gentle stir.

Embrace the southern charm with a Mint Julep, an iconic symbol of warmth and hospitality. This cocktail, with its mellow bourbon base, fragrant mint, and sweet undertones, is a staple at summer gatherings and a refreshing escape from the heat.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• 8-10 fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• Crushed ice

Method

• Gently muddle the mint leaves with simple syrup in a julep cup.
• Heap the cup with crushed ice.
• Pour the bourbon over the ice.
• Stir briskly until the cup becomes frosty.
• Garnish with a fresh mint sprig.

The High King Highball is an elegant blend of whiskey, crisp apple cider, and ginger ale. It's a cocktail that combines the rustic taste of apple with the zesty kick of ginger, creating a balance that's both invigorating and smooth.

Ingredients

• 2 oz whiskey
• 2 oz apple cider
• 2 oz ginger ale
• Ice cubes
• Apple slice for garnish

Method

• Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
• Add the whiskey and apple cider.
• Top it up with ginger ale.
• Stir gently and adorn with an apple slice.

The Gold Rush is a modern concoction that's both luxurious and comforting. This delightful mixture of bourbon, sweet honey, and tangy lemon creates a cocktail that's soothing, smooth, and packed with flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 oz honey syrup
• Ice cubes

Method

• In a shaker, combine the bourbon, lemon juice, and honey syrup.
• Add ice and shake until it's well chilled.
• Strain the mix into a rocks glass filled with ice.

The Kentucky Buck is a harmonious mix of bold and fruity flavors. This cocktail brings together the richness of bourbon, the tartness of lemon, the sweetness of strawberry, and the spicy undertone of ginger beer, crafting a drink that's both complex and refreshing.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 1 strawberry
• Ginger beer
• Ice cubes

Method

• Muddle the strawberry and simple syrup in a shaker.
• Add the bourbon and lemon juice, then fill with ice.
• Shake well and strain into a highball glass filled with ice.
• Top with ginger beer.

Immerse yourself in the essence of summer with the Sweet Tea Smash. This easy-going cocktail combines the deep flavors of bourbon with the comforting taste of sweet tea and a zesty hint of lemon, creating a drink that's quintessentially summery.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• 4 oz sweet tea
• 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
• Lemon wedge for garnish
• Ice cubes

Method

• Combine the bourbon, sweet tea, and lemon juice in a shaker filled with ice.
• Shake it up until it's nice and chilled.
• Strain into a glass filled with ice.
• Garnish with a lemon wedge.

The Kentucky Mule is a delightful twist on the classic Moscow Mule. Swapping vodka for bourbon adds a rich, warm depth to this zesty cocktail, which is further enlivened by the spicy kick of ginger beer and the tang of fresh lime.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
• Ginger beer
• Ice cubes
• Lime wedge for garnish

Method

• Fill a copper mug with ice.
• Pour in the bourbon and fresh lime juice.
• Top with ginger beer and give it a gentle stir.
• Garnish with a lime wedge.

Picture a warm summer day, the sun high in the sky, and a cool, refreshing drink in hand. That's where the Shandy Maker comes in – a delightful blend of whiskey, lemonade, and beer, creating a thirst-quenching cocktail that's as easygoing as a summer breeze.

Ingredients

• 1 oz whiskey
• 2 oz lemonade
• 2 oz light beer
• Lemon slice for garnish
• Ice cubes

Method

• Start by filling a glass with ice cubes.
• Pour in the whiskey and lemonade.
• Gently top off with the light beer.
• Stir lightly and adorn with a lemon slice for that perfect citrusy touch.

The Irish Maid is like a gentle whisper of Ireland's green fields and cool breezes. This cocktail combines the smoothness of Irish whiskey with the crispness of cucumber and the floral hints of elderflower, creating a drink that's as refreshing as a walk through the Irish countryside.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Irish whiskey
• 3 cucumber slices
• 1/2 oz elderflower liqueur
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• Ice cubes

Method

• Begin by muddling the cucumber slices in a shaker to release their fresh essence.
• Add the Irish whiskey, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
• Shake well with ice, infusing all the flavors.
• Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice, presenting a drink that's as beautiful as it is tasty.

Lynchburg Lemonade is like a sunny day in a glass. This tantalizing mix of Tennessee whiskey, triple sec, and lemon juice, topped with a fizzy lemon-lime soda, is the quintessence of a summer refresher.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz Tennessee whiskey
• 1 oz triple sec
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 4 oz lemon-lime soda
• Lemon slice and cherry for garnish
• Ice cubes

Method

• Fill a highball glass with ice to keep everything cool.
• Combine Tennessee whiskey, triple sec, and lemon juice.
• Top it off with lemon-lime soda for that fizzy finish.
• Garnish with a lemon slice and a cherry, making it as visually appealing as it is delicious.

Embrace the robust flavors of rye whiskey combined with the sharpness of ginger beer and a squeeze of lemon in the Northern Harvest Buck. It's a cocktail with a kick, perfect for spicing up your summer evenings.

Ingredients

• 2 oz rye whiskey
• 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
• Ginger beer
• Lemon twist for garnish
• Ice cubes

Method

• Fill a highball glass with ice to start.
• Pour in the rye whiskey and fresh lemon juice.
• Top with ginger beer, adding a spicy yet refreshing twist.
• Garnish with a lemon twist, adding a zesty flair to this bold drink.

The Bulldog Smash is a symphony of flavors – ripe raspberries, fresh mint, sweet syrup, and the warmth of bourbon. It's a cocktail that's as vibrant and lively as a summer festival.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 6-8 fresh raspberries
• 6-8 mint leaves
• Crushed ice
• Mint sprig and raspberry for garnish

Method

• Muddle the raspberries and mint leaves with simple syrup in a shaker, creating a base of sweet and aromatic flavors.
• Add a generous pour of bourbon and ice.
• Shake it up, blending the rich bourbon with the fruity mixture.
• Strain into a glass filled with crushed ice and garnish with a mint sprig and a raspberry for a visually stunning and deliciously inviting cocktail.

Imagine a warm summer evening and a drink that captures its essence. The Summer Rye does just that, combining the spiciness of rye whiskey with the sweetness of honey and the bright tang of lemon.

Ingredients

• 2 oz rye whiskey
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz honey syrup
• Lemon twist for garnish
• Ice cubes

Method

• Mix the rye whiskey, lemon juice, and honey syrup in a shaker filled with ice.
• Shake it up until it's perfectly chilled.
• Strain the blend into a chilled cocktail glass.
• Garnish with a lemon twist, adding a final, citrusy flourish.

The Peach Beer Julep is a creative spin on the classic Mint Julep. Imagine combining the sweetness of peaches, the refreshment of beer, and the coolness of mint, resulting in a cocktail that's as innovative as it is enjoyable.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• 4 oz peach-flavored beer
• 6-8 mint leaves
• 1/2 oz peach syrup
• Crushed ice
• Mint sprig for garnish

Method

• Start by muddling the mint leaves with peach syrup in a julep cup to release their flavors.
• Fill the cup with crushed ice, creating a frosty foundation.
• Pour in the bourbon and peach-flavored beer, blending these distinct flavors.
• Stir gently and garnish with a mint sprig, presenting a drink that's as delightful to the eye as it is to the palate.

The Coal Miner’s Daughter is a nod to rustic Americana, a cocktail that combines the warmth of bourbon with the earthy sweetness of apple cider and maple syrup. This drink is like a comforting embrace, perfect for savoring on a quiet summer evening.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz apple cider
• 1/2 oz maple syrup
• 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
• Ice cubes
• Apple slice for garnish

Method

• In a mixing glass, stir together bourbon, apple cider, maple syrup, and bitters with ice, marrying the flavors gently.
• Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice, creating a robust and inviting presentation.
• Garnish with a crisp apple slice, adding a touch of rustic charm.

High Tide captures the essence of a tropical paradise. It's a cocktail that melds the richness of rum with the exotic flavors of pineapple and coconut, bringing a slice of beachside bliss to your glass.

Ingredients

• 2 oz rum
• 1 oz pineapple juice
• 1/2 oz coconut cream
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• Ice cubes
• Pineapple wedge for garnish

Method

• Shake rum, pineapple juice, coconut cream, and lime juice with ice, creating a concoction that's both creamy and refreshing.
• Strain into a glass brimming with ice, capturing the essence of a sunny beach day.
• Garnish with a wedge of pineapple, adding a tropical flourish.

The New York Sour is a cosmopolitan blend of tradition and flair. This cocktail combines the robustness of whiskey with the zesty kick of lemon, topped with a layer of red wine for a dramatic twist.

Ingredients

• 2 oz whiskey
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 1/2 oz red wine
• Ice cubes
• Lemon twist for garnish

Method

• Vigorously shake whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice, creating a base that's both tart and sweet.
• Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice, setting the stage for the grand finale.
• Carefully float red wine on top, creating a stunning layered effect.
• Garnish with a lemon twist for a touch of elegance.

The Paper Plane is a contemporary classic, a balanced and bright cocktail. It's an artful combination of bourbon, Aperol, Amaro, and lemon juice, each sip a harmonious blend of bitter, sweet, and sour.

Ingredients

• 3/4 oz bourbon
• 3/4 oz Aperol
• 3/4 oz Amaro
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• Ice cubes

Method

• Combine all ingredients in a shaker, filling it with ice to chill the spirits and meld their flavors.
• Shake until the mixture is perfectly chilled and harmonized.
• Strain into a coupe glass, presenting a cocktail that's as aesthetically pleasing as it is delightful to drink.

As our journey through these summer whiskey cocktails comes to a close, we're reminded of the incredible versatility and depth of whiskey. From the sweet, comforting notes of the Coal Miner’s Daughter to the sophisticated layers of the New York Sour, these cocktails showcase whiskey's ability to adapt and shine in a multitude of flavors and contexts. Whether you're an avid whiskey connoisseur or a curious newbie, there's a cocktail here to suit every palate and occasion. So, as the summer sun dips below the horizon and the evening air grows cool, let's raise a glass to the endless possibilities of whiskey and to the memories yet to be made in this sun-kissed season.