9 Exceptional Bourbon Cocktails for the Winter Months

As the cold weather descends, there’s never been a better time to snuggle up with a few winter bourbon cocktails. They can be served hot or cold and every sip is like a slipping into a comfortable sweater that’s scented with vanilla and oak. With flavours and aromas that range from sweet, floral and fruity to spicy, wooded and grainy, bourbon is one of the most versatile cocktail spirits. Discover how you can get the best out of this American classic with our list of the best winter bourbon cocktails.   

1.  Bourbon Hot Chocolate

We’re not saying that it was preordained by the hot chocolate and bourbon gods, but the bourbon hot chocolate was destined to happen. Chocolate’s decadent flavours and luxurious texture are the perfect match for bourbon’s vanilla, caramel and oak flavours. Use semi-sweet milk chocolate for a richer experience, or add more complexity with bittersweet dark chocolate. Top it off with your choice of whipped cream or marshmallows, or both if you’re feeling naughty.  

Need another chocolate hit? Try our Mexican Hot Chocolate cocktail.  

2. Boulevardier

The roaring 20s were a time of music, excess, and the Boulevardier cocktail. Invented by Erskine Gwynne, it was named after the French magazine that he founded. It might have been a clever bit of marketing at the time, but the Boulevardier has stood the test of time. It’s basically a Negroni but instead of gin, it uses bourbon. Imagine sitting by a blazing fire in an antique leather chair that’s perfectly contoured to fit your body. That’s what drinking a Boulevardier feels like. It’s a melange of oak, vanilla, caramel, bitter Campari and floral notes.   

3. Old Fashioned

As far as winter cocktails with bourbon go, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the original cocktail— the Old Fashioned. It’s seen more winters than any other cocktail and warmed countless souls over its long years. It may be a simple blend of bourbon, sugar, bitters and orange, but it’s a deeply satisfying cocktail that will make the bleakest of winters seem charming.     

4. Bourbon Apple Cider Sour

Nothing says winter comfort like the flavour of apple pie in a cocktail. Upon first sip, the Bourbon Apple Cider Sour is crisp, sweet and tart with warming cinnamon and zesty lemon. As you roll it around the palate, its comforting bourbon character shines. Add to that its velvety texture (thanks to an egg white), and you’ve got a bourbon winter cocktail that will chase away any seasonal blues.   

Need more apple flavour? 20 Apple Cider Cocktail Recipes.  

5. Citrus & Spice Kentucky Mule cocktail

If winter-warming spices are your thing, then this might just be your new ultimate winter mule cocktail. It’s the bourbon-laced Kentucky Mule you know and love but with a spicy holiday twist. An easy simple syrup infused with cinnamon, cloves, star anise and orange zest is all you need to get this mule galloping into flavour town. The spices sing with the mellow bourbon flavours while the citrus and ginger beer provide a refreshing snap.   

6. Eggnog Rum Punch

You knew it was just a matter of time before we got to everyone’s favourite custard-like, smoothie-type, Eggnog Rum Punch! Yes, a jug of eggs, milk, sugar, spices and rum might seem out of place during the rest of the year, but the festive season wouldn’t be half as fun without Eggnog. It’s a throwback to medieval England, and, to the brave soul who mixed up the first batch, we tip our elf hats in respect. You didn’t know it at the time, but your daring eggy mix changed the course of holiday history.   

Looking for a fancy Eggnog cocktail? Try our Eggnog Martini.  

7. Black Cherry Manhattan

Much like New York’s most famous borough, the Manhattan cocktail has always been a leader in style, taste and sophistication. It ranks on the unforgettable list of the International Bartenders Association, and it’s definitely a drink that everyone should try at least once in their lives. The Black Cherry Manhattan uses the same blend of whiskey, vermouth and bitters, but with the added twist of cherry juice and garnish. As you’d expect it’s sweeter than the original but the tart cherry flavours meld into the bourbon flawlessly.     

8. Cranberry Apple Hot Toddy

Hot Toddy cocktails are one of the best defences against winter’s chill. They drive the cold from your bones and replace it with a festive glow that permeates your entire body. We’ve always been suckers for the classic Toddy, but this Cranberry Apple Hot Toddy is in the running as our new favourite in the Toddy family tree. It’s bright and tart yet sweet and spicy with a long oaky finish that will have you sighing in satisfaction. Like all Toddies, this one is best enjoyed with good friends around a toasty fire.  

9. Hawaiian Gold Rush

We get that anything with Hawaiian in the title doesn’t exactly scream winter warmer cocktail but hear us out. The Hawaiian Gold Rush takes the whiskey sour and floral honey combination of a classic Gold Rush cocktail and infuses it with pineapple juice. The result is a smooth-sipping tropical bourbon cocktail that will bring a ray of sunshine to the darkest of winter days. If you want to go deep, you can start pairing your bourbon’s flavour profiles with local, small-batch honey producers or single-origin honey. The Hawaiian Gold Rush can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be.