Paul Kushner
I always look forward to the chill of winter because it’s the perfect time for warming up with Bourbon cocktails. These drinks bring a cozy warmth, ideal for cold evenings. I love mixing bourbon with seasonal flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, maple syrup, and honey. They perfectly complement Bourbon’s rich, oaky essence, offering a variety of tastes. From hot toddies that soothe the soul to spicy bourbon ciders that kick the cold away, there’s a drink for every winter moment. Exploring these bourbon cocktail options is a great idea.
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1
Vanilla Cinnamon Old Fashioned
Warm and inviting, the Vanilla Cinnamon Old Fashioned adds a sweet and spicy twist to the classic cocktail. The smooth bourbon, subtle vanilla, and aromatic cinnamon create a comforting drink that’s perfect for cozy evenings or holiday gatherings.
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2
Cherry Bourbon Chocolate
Warm up with the decadent Cherry Bourbon Chocolate, a luxurious blend of rich hot chocolate and bold cherry bourbon. This indulgent cocktail is topped with whipped cream and garnished to perfection, making it the ultimate cozy treat for cold evenings or special winter gatherings.
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3
Hot Buttered Bourbon
The Hot Buttered Bourbon is a cozy, spiced drink perfect for chilly nights. With warm apple cider, rich bourbon, and a blend of spices, this cocktail brings comfort and warmth to any gathering. The combination of softened butter, honey, and cloves makes each sip smooth and fragrant, while a cinnamon stick garnish adds the perfect festive touch.
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4
Persimmon Old Fashioned
The Persimmon Old Fashioned is a sophisticated holiday cocktail that exudes warmth and seasonal charm. Featuring bourbon, persimmon syrup, and orange bitters, this drink is a perfect balance of rich and spiced flavors. Garnished with a fresh persimmon slice and star anise, it’s an elegant addition to festive gatherings.
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5
Pumpkin Pie Whiskey Sour
The Pumpkin Pie Whiskey Sour is a cozy, fall-inspired twist on the classic whiskey sour. With the rich warmth of bourbon, the sweetness of pumpkin spice syrup, and a tangy kick of lemon, this cocktail is balanced by the velvety texture of egg white. A dash of Peychaud’s bitters and a sprinkle of nutmeg complete this festive treat.
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6
Cranberry Bourbon Punch
Cranberry Bourbon Punch is a refreshing and festive cocktail perfect for holiday gatherings. This well-balanced mix of bourbon, sweet vermouth, orange juice, and cranberry juice is lightly sweetened with simple syrup. Garnished with a rosemary sprig, orange slice, and cranberries, it’s as beautiful as it is flavorful.
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7
Winter Honey Old Fashioned
The Winter Honey Old Fashioned cocktail is a warm and earthy drink that’s perfect for cold evenings. Featuring smooth bourbon, fragrant honey sage syrup, and a hint of citrus from an orange twist, this cocktail is a balanced blend of cozy and refined flavors.
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8
Bourbon Coconut Milk
Warm up with a Bourbon Coconut Milk, a creamy, comforting drink perfect for chilly nights. This cocktail combines the richness of whole milk and coconut milk, a hint of brown sugar, and smooth bourbon, topped with freshly grated nutmeg for a festive finish.
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9
Bourbon Chai Tea
Enjoy the warm, spiced flavors of this Bourbon Chai Tea, a comforting blend of black tea, aromatic spices, almond milk, and a splash of bourbon. This cozy drink is perfect for gatherings or quiet evenings by the fire, bringing together rich chai flavors with a hint of vanilla and honeyed sweetness.
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10
Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail
The Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail is a warm, festive drink perfect for the holiday season. With rich bourbon, spiced cranberry juice, and a hint of ginger beer, this cocktail is flavorful and refreshing. A sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg adds an aromatic, cozy finish, making it a delightful choice for winter gatherings.
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11
Winter Spice Old Fashioned
The Winter Spice Old Fashioned is a bold, complex drink with warm winter spices and bittersweet notes. The combination of bourbon, Cynar, and a spiced simple syrup gives this cocktail a robust, festive flavor reminiscent of gingerbread. A garnish of star anise adds an aromatic touch, making it a perfect drink for cozy winter nights.
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12
Boulevardier
The Boulevardier is a sweet festive cocktail that brightens up parties. It only takes five minutes to make, and you can serve it in a chilled cocktail glass or on the rocks.
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13
thefarmhouseproject.com
Honey Sage Bourbon Cocktail
Fresh sage leaves and honey combine with oaky bourbon and water to craft a perfectly refined winter cocktail. The sweetness level is easily customizable to fit your taste. Make sure you use fresh ingredients to craft this drink or the flavors won’t be as strong.
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14
www.halfbakedharvest.com
Cinnamon Bourbon Old Fashioned with Brûléed Oranges
Cinnamon spice reintroduces itself in this celebratory orange juice, bourbon, and sparkling water drink. It has warm wintery flavors and you can make it in large batches for parties. Classy and elegant; this cocktail isn’t a drink you’ll soon forget.
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15
punchdrink.com
The Mystical One
The Mystical One is a winter bourbon cocktail you didn't see coming. This drink utilizes sage for an earthy and slightly minty element that raises the bar for a holiday-inspired play on the whiskey sour. Add colorful, seasonal-themed garnishes such as mint leaves and cranberries to make this drink look as good as it tastes.
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16
feastingathome.com
A Long Winter’s Nap
This bourbon cocktail uses a combination of winter spices, maple syrup, and fresh douglas fir to provide a smooth and soothing drink that you can prepare in large batches to give your Christmas party a sophisticated menu option.
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17
halfbakedharvest.com
Cinnamon Bourbon Fizz.
Cinnamon honey syrup is the start of this seasonal drink. Infuse it with fresh rosemary and mix it with bourbon, then top it with sparkling water to create an entertainer's fizzy dream. Add this drink to your holiday party cocktail lineup for sure!
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18
thespeckledpalate.com
The Blizzard (Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail)
This cocktail isn't too strong for people with bourbon shyness. It makes a great holiday party addition because of its mass appeal and festive red appearance.
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19
crateandbarrel.com
Bourbon Apple Cider
Ready to serve in an ice-filled highball glass, the Bourbon Apple Cider gives a similar wintery flavor melody as the Hot Buttered Bourbon, but this drink is more fresh and crisp served cold. With a little bit of nutmeg and cinnamon, the combination of bitters and citrus awakens the senses.
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20
bbcgoodfood.com
Winter Whiskey Sour
A Winter Whiskey Sour will be the star of any holiday event because it features sparkly edible gold glitter! Impress everyone this Christmas by converting a classic cocktail into a true celebration in a glass.
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21
thefeedfeed.com
Bourbon and Maple Cocktail
As a rustic play on an Old Fashioned, the Bourbon and Maple Cocktail emphasizes oranges rounded out by sweet and nutty bourbon and maple. It's a good option for lovers of traditional drinks who want to give it a wintery spin. This cocktail can also ease non-bourbon drinkers into the liquor because the orange juice softens its bite.
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22
halfbakedharvest.com
Vanilla Chai Old Fashioned.
Here is an exquisite cocktail that works for large holiday gatherings and prepping once and then stashing in the fridge for impromptu winter guests. It stays freshly refrigerated for up to two weeks. The Vanilla Chai Old Fashioned induces all the winter feels with cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and of course, vanilla. It's also perfect for those who prefer something lighter on liquor because the bourbon content isn't too high.
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23
wellplated.com
Hot Buttered Bourbon
As a cider version of warmth-inducing winter cocktails like the Bourbon Hot Toddy, Hot Buttered Bourbon offers a creamy and spicy experience. Butter is the main character in this snug liquid blend. It is also one of the simplest cocktails on this list, making it perfect for anyone new to crafting drinks. Is there a cozier image than warm, buttery cider simmering on the stove during a cold evening, waiting to combine with a good bourbon?
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24
julieblanner.com
Bourbon Smash Cocktail
As a twist on the classic party favorite, the Bourbon Smash Cocktail shares similarities with its Cranberry Maple counterpart. Instead of cranberries, it uses fresh lemons and blueberries to bring the flavor alive. Enhance the drink's winter vibe by garnishing it with cinnamon sticks and rosemary sprigs. It's sure to be a crowd-pleaser during holiday celebrations!
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25
platingsandpairings.com
Cranberry Maple Bourbon Smash Cocktail
Smash cocktails celebrate seasonal herbs and fruits over ice. A combination of acrid cranberries and lightly vanilla maple syrup pairs smoothly with bourbon's oak and caramel flavors. This cocktail is the ultimate entertainer's drink because you can prepare the cranberry simple syrup days in advance. It's easy to adjust the batch size to match your guest list, too.
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26
oursaltykitchen.com
Blood Orange Bourbon Sour Cocktail
The Blood Orange Bourbon Sour Cocktail is an easy but offbeat celebration of the bitter winter drinks that are having a serious moment. This cocktail presents smoky and sour flavors that carry some sweetness when you use fresh juices. A drink like this is a good choice for lovers of sour cocktails that want to add a festive element. It also works well for serving during large parties and using an electric juicer eases the crafting process for big batches.
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27
acouplecooks.com
Bourbon Hot Toddy
A Hot Toddy is famous for helping us warm up in frigid weather, and it's a simple and easy drink for even the most novice bartender. Hot water combined with bourbon, maple syrup or honey, and lemon provides a soothing and comforting experience. This cocktail isn't a party-goer. It's better suited for snuggling up under your coziest blanket and relaxing with your favorite book or binge-able television series.
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28
themarblekitchen.com
Winter Old Fashioned
The winter-spiced simple syrup adds a jovial flair to this traditional drink. Combining fresh rosemary with authentic maple syrup, sugar, and cinnamon sticks stirs up nostalgia with holiday-heavy flavors. This is perfect to serve at an annual holiday party or to order out during a seasonal dinner.
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