Top 16 Manly Cocktails to Drink

When it comes to manly cocktails, we’re talking about drinks that exude strength and character. These are the kind of libations that are not afraid to pack a punch, whether it’s through bold flavors, smoky undertones, or a fiery kick. Manly cocktails are for those who appreciate a drink that commands attention and leaves a lasting impression.

If you’re the type who enjoys the richness of a good whiskey or the complexity of a well-crafted cocktail with a hint of spice, then manly cocktails are right up your alley. Whether you’re a seasoned mixologist or someone who simply appreciates a drink with a robust personality, these recipes are tailored to satisfy your craving for something with a bit of edge.

Negroni

The Negroni is a classic cocktail made from equal parts of Vermouth (a fortified wine), Campari (bitters), and gin. There are multiple layers to this drink, and you can mix and match the quantities of each ingredient to achieve different flavor experiences. Not only is it easy to make, but the Negroni is both bitter and refreshing—perfect for a warm day. It’s strong, and I enjoy it after a long day when I want to unwind.
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The Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is amongst the most sophisticated evening cocktails served. It’s fairly simple to create; the flavors are sweet with a bitter finish and a hint of spice. This combination of sugar, water, whiskey, bitters, and a fruit slice garnish is one of my favorites. If you’re hosting an elegant gathering, the Old Fashioned is the perfect choice for male guests.
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Manhattan

My favorite happy hour drink, the Manhattan, is the best blend of booze, sweetness (from the vermouth), and herbs. It’s a classic Fall drink that works well for dinner parties where you want to impress. It’s strong and has a heck of a kick if you choose rye as your base spirit. For those who prefer a sweeter experience over the spicy and dry notes rye offers, go with bourbon as the base.
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Dry Martini

A Dry Martini is bold, herbaceous, and sometimes spicy. I prefer gin, but you can also use vodka and a dash of orange bitters. What makes the Martini dry is that you use very little dry vermouth (hardly any at all). It’s simple and quick, so there’s always time to drink a Dry Martini!
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Godfather

The Godfather is the type of drink you mix when you want to hang out at home with friends, play cards, watch sports, etc. At least, that’s when I choose to drink it. It’s only two ingredients—amaretto and whiskey. Any whiskey will do, though most people go with a blended scotch. This cocktail is heady, spicy, and bold, with a splash of sweet nuttiness.
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Rusty Nail

You don’t hear much about the Rusty Nail, but it’s an excellent after-dinner cocktail. It’s a mixture of scotch and Drambuie, which gives a strong taste of whiskey, spices, herbs, a bit of honey, and heather. Some people like to play around with the ratios of the two alcohols, and you could even swap out the scotch for bourbon for a sweeter finish.
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Whiskey Smash

I love an excellent Whiskey Smash in the summer because it’s bright, minty, and refreshing, with a citrus kick that blends well with the whiskey. You could also use bourbon for extra sweetness and spice. This cocktail is classic and perfect for gathering with friends. It doesn’t take long to make, but you’ll need simple syrup, mint leaves, and lemon to really make it phenomenal.
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Tom Collins

The Tom Collins is what you would call an “adults-only” lemonade. It’s a great summertime cocktail that’s refreshing and sweet. You’ll need lemon juice, sugar, carbonated water, and gin, which adds quite a punch to your cocktail. Make sure you add the right amount of lemon juice, though, as it helps to prevent it from being overly sweet.
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Boilermaker

The beauty of the Boilermaker is its simplicity. There’s not a heap of ingredients you need to make this concoction. A glass of beer and a shot of whiskey will get the job done. Additionally, half of the fun has to do with the fact that you can choose any beer or whiskey that you prefer without drastically affecting the taste. I always grab one of these at the local bar or at home when relaxing.
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Penicillin

Penicillin is a drink made for scotch lovers. It happens to be sweet, smoky, and spicy. Additionally, you can use this drink when feeling under the weather. All you need is blended scotch whiskey, single-malt scotch, and other complementary ingredients like honey, ginger syrup, and lemon juice. Easy peasy.
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Dirty Martini

The Dirty Martini is a great drink for social gatherings and small get-togethers. The drink itself is quick and easy; however, it still has an air of sophistication about it as well. You can use gin or vodka with olive juice, dry vermouth, and two olives for garnish, and you have the perfect drink.
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Whiskey Sour

The Whiskey Sour requires a bit more preparation to account for the time it needs to chill. You might also choose to pour it over the rocks if you’re short on time. Just get hold of rye whiskey and meld it with simple syrup and fresh lemon juice to taste the trifecta of sugar, liquor, and citrus. It’s bright and refreshing.
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Salty Dog

The playful name is an example of just how fun this drink can be. If you’re a man’s man who favors fruity drinks, you’ll love the notes of grapefruit mixed with gin or vodka. The coarse salt laced on the rim of the glass is the perfect finish. The Salty Dog is one of my faves for sure for a dinner party.
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Suffering Bastard

The Suffering Bastard is a drink you can use for a bad hangover. I think of this as more for informal gatherings like casual birthday parties. It’s a mix of bourbon, London dry gin, ginger beer, lemon juice, and a few other garnishes that you can mix and match.
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Gibson

Similar to a martini, the Gibson is classic and elegant. All you need is gin and dry vermouth. The most significant difference between this drink and the martini is that you use cocktail onions as a garnish instead of olives. It offers a unique twist and is an acquired taste.
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Boulevardier

A close cousin to the more popular Negroni, the Boulevardier is smooth, sweet, and bitter, and it has a kick from the bourbon and Campari used in the recipe. There’s also sweet vermouth that adds a pleasant note. I like to order this drink at the bar because it’s one of the best manly cocktails that often gets forgotten. You can order it on the rocks or in a chilled glass.
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