Key takeaways
- Using too much mixer: Starting at 6 ounces can make a delicate bourbon disappear. Begin with 4 ounces for sweet or strongly flavored mixers.
- Skipping measurement: A half-ounce difference in lemon juice or syrup is significant in a short cocktail.
- Using flat soda: Carbonation is part of the drink’s texture. Opened soda and ginger products lose quality quickly, so refrigerate them and use them promptly.
- Adding straight honey: Cold liquids do not dissolve thick honey evenly. Make honey syrup first.
- Overusing bitters: Two or three dashes are usually enough for one serving. Bitters add concentrated spice and bitterness.
- Neglecting citrus: Fresh juice has a brighter flavor than bottled juice, but it should be refrigerated and used within a few days for best quality.
- Ignoring proof: A 100-proof bourbon will taste more intense than an 80-proof bourbon at the same 2-ounce pour. Add more mixer or use a smaller serving if needed.
The best things to mix with bourbon are soda water, ginger ale, cola, lemonade, lemon juice, orange juice, maple syrup, honey, simple syrup, sweet vermouth, and bitters; the right choice depends on whether you want a refreshing highball, a bright sour, or a stronger spirit-forward drink.
A standard starting point is 2 ounces of bourbon to 4–6 ounces of mixer over ice. Use 80–100 proof bourbon for easy mixed drinks, and reduce the mixer when using a higher-proof bottle. Measure citrus and sweeteners rather than pouring by guesswork: small changes can make a drink sharp, flat, or overly sweet.
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Quick guide to what to mix with bourbon
| Mixer or combination | Basic ratio | Flavor profile | Best situation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soda water | 2 oz bourbon + 4–6 oz soda | Dry, crisp, lightly aromatic | Low-sweetness refreshment |
| Ginger ale | 2 oz bourbon + 4 oz ginger ale | Sweet, spicy, effervescent | Easy crowd-pleaser |
| Ginger beer | 2 oz bourbon + 3–4 oz ginger beer | Bolder heat and spice | When you want a stronger mixer |
| Cola | 2 oz bourbon + 4 oz cola | Caramel, vanilla, sweet | Casual serving with minimal ingredients |
| Lemonade | 2 oz bourbon + 4 oz lemonade | Bright, sweet-tart, fruity | Warm-weather drinking |
| Lemon juice and simple syrup | 2 oz bourbon + ¾ oz lemon + ½ oz syrup | Balanced sweet-and-sour | Classic cocktail structure |
| Sweet vermouth and bitters | 2 oz bourbon + 1 oz vermouth + 2 dashes bitters | Herbal, rich, bittersweet | Slow sipping and dinner |
12 easy bourbon drink ideas
1. Bourbon and soda
Pour 2 ounces of bourbon over a full glass of ice and add 4–6 ounces of chilled soda water. Stir once or twice. The drink is dry and refreshing, allowing the bourbon’s vanilla, oak, and caramel notes to remain noticeable. Add a lemon peel for aroma without adding much sweetness.
2. Bourbon ginger ale
Combine 2 ounces of bourbon with 4 ounces of ginger ale over ice. Use ginger ale for a smooth, sweet drink with gentle spice. A lime wedge adds acidity and keeps the finish from tasting heavy. If the result is too sweet, replace 1 ounce of ginger ale with soda water.
3. Bourbon and ginger beer
Use 2 ounces of bourbon and 3–4 ounces of ginger beer. Ginger beer is usually more concentrated and spicier than ginger ale, so a smaller amount preserves balance. Squeeze in ½ ounce of lime juice for a bourbon mule-style drink. Stir gently to retain carbonation.
4. Bourbon cola
Mix 2 ounces of bourbon with 4 ounces of cola and serve over ice. Cola reinforces bourbon’s caramel and vanilla flavors, producing a sweet, familiar highball. Add 2–3 dashes of aromatic bitters if you want more spice and less one-dimensional sweetness.
5. Bourbon lemonade
Combine 2 ounces of bourbon with 4 ounces of lemonade. This is among the simplest choices for a bright, fruit-forward drink. If the lemonade is particularly sweet, add ¼–½ ounce of fresh lemon juice. Garnish with a lemon wheel or a thin orange slice.
6. Bourbon iced tea
Pour 2 ounces of bourbon into 5 ounces of unsweetened or lightly sweetened iced tea. Black tea supplies tannin and earthy notes that work well with oak-aged whiskey. Add ½ ounce of lemon juice and ¼ ounce of simple syrup if the tea needs more balance.
7. Bourbon orange
Mix 2 ounces of bourbon with 3 ounces of orange juice and 1 ounce of soda water. Orange juice brings sweetness and citrus aroma, while soda prevents the drink from becoming dense. For a drier version, use 2 ounces of orange juice and 2 ounces of soda.
8. Bourbon sour
Shake 2 ounces of bourbon, ¾ ounce of fresh lemon juice, and ½ ounce of simple syrup with ice. Strain over fresh ice. A 4:1.5:1 ratio of bourbon, lemon, and syrup is a dependable starting point. Increase the syrup to ¾ ounce if using a particularly tart lemon or a high-proof bourbon.
9. Maple bourbon
Stir 2 ounces of bourbon with ½ ounce of pure maple syrup and 2 dashes of aromatic bitters. Add a few drops of water or stir with ice for 20–30 seconds to integrate the syrup. Maple adds woodsy sweetness that suits bourbon, but using more than ½ ounce can cover the whiskey’s character.
10. Honey and lemon bourbon
Make a quick honey syrup by combining equal parts honey and warm water. Then shake 2 ounces of bourbon, ¾ ounce of lemon juice, and ½ ounce of honey syrup with ice. Honey syrup mixes more evenly than straight honey. This drink is sweet-tart, rounded, and lightly floral.
11. Bourbon old fashioned
Stir 2 ounces of bourbon with ¼ ounce of simple syrup and 2–3 dashes of aromatic bitters over ice. An orange peel supplies fragrance without substantially changing the drink’s sugar level. For a less sweet version, use 1 teaspoon of syrup rather than ¼ ounce.
12. Bourbon Manhattan-style drink
Stir 2 ounces of bourbon, 1 ounce of sweet vermouth, and 2 dashes of aromatic bitters with ice for about 20–30 seconds. Strain into a chilled glass or serve over one large cube. The result is richer and more herbal than a soda-based drink, making it better suited to slow sipping than casual refreshment.
Choose by your situation
| Your priority | Best choice | Why | What to adjust |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fewest ingredients | Bourbon and soda | Requires only bourbon, ice, and one mixer | Add citrus peel for aroma |
| Sweet and easy | Bourbon ginger ale | Balances whiskey with carbonation and sugar | Use soda to reduce sweetness |
| More citrus | Bourbon sour | Measured lemon and syrup create balance | Change syrup by ¼ oz at a time |
| Strongest bourbon character | Old fashioned | Small amounts of sugar and bitters preserve the spirit | Use less syrup for a drier drink |
| Spicy, bold flavor | Bourbon ginger beer | Ginger beer has more intensity than ginger ale | Add lime to sharpen the finish |
| Herbal and dinner-friendly | Manhattan-style drink | Vermouth adds depth and a bittersweet profile | Use ¾ oz vermouth for a stronger whiskey emphasis |
How to balance a bourbon mixer
Start with the bourbon, then add the smallest practical amount of sweetener or acidic ingredient. For a sour, the useful structure is 2 ounces of bourbon, ¾ ounce of citrus, and ½ ounce of sweetener. For a highball, begin with 4 ounces of mixer and add more only if the whiskey tastes too strong.
Temperature and dilution also matter. Fill the glass with ice before adding a carbonated mixer; a nearly full glass keeps the drink colder and reduces rapid melting. Stir carbonated drinks briefly. Shake drinks containing citrus, syrup, or honey because shaking distributes thick ingredients and adds controlled dilution.
A simple adjustment method is to change only one ingredient at a time. If the drink tastes too sweet, add ½ ounce of soda or ¼ ounce of lemon. If it tastes too sharp, add ¼ ounce of syrup. If the bourbon disappears, add another ¼–½ ounce of bourbon rather than simply reducing all the other ingredients.
Common mistakes and ownership realities
- Using too much mixer: Starting at 6 ounces can make a delicate bourbon disappear. Begin with 4 ounces for sweet or strongly flavored mixers.
- Skipping measurement: A half-ounce difference in lemon juice or syrup is significant in a short cocktail.
- Using flat soda: Carbonation is part of the drink’s texture. Opened soda and ginger products lose quality quickly, so refrigerate them and use them promptly.
- Adding straight honey: Cold liquids do not dissolve thick honey evenly. Make honey syrup first.
- Overusing bitters: Two or three dashes are usually enough for one serving. Bitters add concentrated spice and bitterness.
- Neglecting citrus: Fresh juice has a brighter flavor than bottled juice, but it should be refrigerated and used within a few days for best quality.
- Ignoring proof: A 100-proof bourbon will taste more intense than an 80-proof bourbon at the same 2-ounce pour. Add more mixer or use a smaller serving if needed.
Simple recommendation
For the easiest all-purpose option, mix 2 ounces of bourbon with 4 ounces of ginger ale and serve over ice. Choose bourbon and soda when you want dry and light, a bourbon sour when you want balanced citrus, an old fashioned when you want the whiskey to lead, and a Manhattan-style drink when you prefer herbal depth. Drink responsibly, avoid driving after drinking, and follow local laws regarding alcohol service.
