Winter and whiskey are a dream team. Which means this holiday season you won’t have to try very hard to impress your guests. ‘Tis the season for spicing up every recipe and celebrating good times and family traditions. Whether you’re in the mood for a hot or cold drink, these holiday whiskey cocktails hit the mark. “Sleigh” your holiday party and toast to these festive whiskey cocktails that are perfect for the most wonderful time of the year. 

Entertaining tip: Bardstown Bourbon Company takes these holiday whiskey cocktails to the next level!

Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour

Don’t be surprised if this version of the whiskey sour replaces your usual standby; it’s that good. If you multiply the amounts below by four, you’ll have a batch size perfect for impressing guests. 

• 1.5 oz. (3 tablespoons) bourbon
• 1 oz. (2 tablespoons) fresh lemon juice
• 2-4 teaspoons maple syrup, to taste
• Pinch of ground cinnamon, optional

Directions: Fill a cocktail shaker about two-thirds full of ice. Pour in all four ingredients. Shake well. Strain the cold whiskey sour into your glass and enjoy (add ice if that’s how you like to drink whiskey)

Christmas Old Fashioned

Cranberries are a classic Christmas ingredient, so why not infuse them into a traditional Old Fashioned? It’s guaranteed* to put you in the Yuletide spirit in no time at all! Cheers!

• 2 oz. Rye whiskey
• 2 dashes bitters
• 1 oz. cranberry simple syrup
• Orange slice and cranberries are optional garnish

Directions: Rim the glass with sugar. Muddle the cranberries in a glass. Add rye and simple syrup. Top with bitters and stir. Add ice. Garnish with orange slice and more cranberries if desired.  

*Probably.

Holiday Whiskey Fizz

Pop the bubbly and spike this holiday cocktail with whiskey for the perfect spritzer. It’s a refreshing recipe sweetened with simple syrup. We have a feeling this recipe will make anyone a fan of whiskey. 

• 1.5 oz. Rye whiskey
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 2 tablespoons spiced cranberry simple syrup
• Splash of club soda
• Rosemary sprig and fresh cranberries to garnish

Directions: Throw the whiskey and lime juice in a shaker and mix well. For the spiced cranberry syrup boil equal parts sugar, water and cranberries. For every cup of water, add one cinnamon stick and one rosemary sprig. Sit overnight and then strain. Mix all three ingredients together and pour over ice into your glass. Top it with club soda. Add rosemary sprig and cranberries as optional garnish. 

Bourbon Eggnog

This is not your typical eggnog and far better than any you’ll find at the grocery store. The drink is delicious, flavorful and a great way to impress family and friends during the holiday season. Despite what you might think initially, the recipe is extremely easy to make. 

• 4 large eggs
• 6 oz. granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• ⅛ teaspoon allspice
• ⅛ teaspoon clove
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 oz. Hennessy Cognac
• 2 oz. Grand Marnier (substitute with a vanilla liquor if you wish)
• 4 oz. bourbon
• 12 oz. whole milk
• 8 oz. heavy cream

Directions: Blend the eggs for one minute. Add the sugar and spices and blend for another minute. Slowly add the liquors and blend for another 30 seconds. Add the milk and cream and blend for one more minute. Cover and refrigerate (for best results let this sit in the fridge for one full day so the flavors can mix well together). When you’re ready to serve, add a dash of fresh nutmeg and cinnamon to the top.  

Candy Cane Spiced Whiskey

Not too strong and not too weak, just how whiskey lovers appreciate their libations. This spiced whiskey combines a tiny bit of heat that’s much-needed during the cold weather season. You can make a big batch of this ahead of time if you’re hosting a houseful of guests. 

• 1 cup sugar
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup of your favorite whiskey
• 4 candy cane sticks
• ½ cup Fireball liquor

Directions: Boil two cups of water in a large saucepan and stir in the sugar until completely dissolved. Remove the sugar mix and allow it to cool completely. Combine the sugar mix, the last two cups of water, whiskey and Fireball into a large pitcher. Stir. Crush candy canes and add them to the bottom of a mason jar. Pour liquor mix over the candy canes. Let the mix sit in the refrigerator for about a week. Drain the liquid into a pitcher using a strainer. Pour the liquor into a mixer and shake to combine. Add to your favorite martini glass. Candy cane sticks are optional garnish.