25 Bourbon Cocktail Recipes That Are Basically Made for Southern Porch-Sipping

Aperol Bourbon Fizz
Photo: Becky Luigart Stayner

If we had to pick a house beverage for the South, it would likely be a bourbon cocktail. This Kentucky-born spirit is a Southern signature that has made a huge resurgence in the past decade. Now, the old-fashioned is getting new-fashioned makeovers in bars across the South, and there are entire menus devoted to bourbon cocktails.

What's the best way to drink bourbon? You can't go wrong with on the rocks or straight up, but it's hard not to love these jazzy bourbon cocktail recipes. Including classic sippers like bourbon sweet tea, bourbon-spiked Arnold Palmers, and refined Mint Juleps for Derby Day—plus, spritzes and adult slushes that are too tasty to resist!—this list can make a bourbon expert out of any home bartender. So get out your highball glasses and your shaker, because these bourbon cocktails are perfect for quiet nights on the porch and good times to be had.

01 of 25

Bourbon-Peach Iced Tea

Bourbon-Peach Iced Tea
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Kay E. Clarke; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin

Recipe: Bourbon-Peach Iced Tea

Peach offers the most amazing tart, sweet infusion into traditional bourbon sweet tea. It's just the recipe to kick off peach season.

02 of 25

Big-Batch Spiked Arnold Palmers

Big-Batch Spiked Arnold Palmers
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Big-Batch Spiked Arnold Palmers

Spiked with bourbon or rum, this sweet tea is just for the adults. Garnish with fresh mint and lemon slices for a sophisticated presentation.

03 of 25

Basil Bourbon Orange Smash

Basil Bourbon Orange Smash
Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Basil Bourbon Orange Smash

Once you've tried this bourbon-rich, orange-infused smash cocktail, you'll never want to go back to any other summertime refreshment.

04 of 25

Bourbon-Cider Mule

Bourbon-Cider Mule
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Bourbon-Cider Mule

Trade out the vodka for bourbon in this special take on a Moscow Mule.

05 of 25

Cherry Bourbon Cheerwine

Cherry Bourbon Cheerwine
Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Cherry Bourbon Cheerwine

Bring back a nostalgic childhood favorite with a boozy twist. This is the most cheerful Saturday drink there ever was.

06 of 25

Shoo-Fly Punch

Shoo-Fly Punch
Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Shoo-Fly Punch

Ginger beer is the flavor secret in this spicy but refreshing cocktail. It gives the best pop of spicy ginger to this crowd-favorite cocktail.

07 of 25

Bourbon Pear and Hard Cider Cocktail

Bourbon Pear and Hard Cider Cocktail
Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Bourbon Pear and Hard Cider Cocktail

Nothing feels more autumn-ready—which bourbon already exceeds at, by the way—than this cider cocktail recipe that is best enjoyed alongside friends or loved ones all season long.

08 of 25

Sweet Tea Mule

Sweet Tea Mule
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Sweet Tea Mule

This drink is a boozy spin on the South's favorite beverage, and we've never been more happy to brew a batch of sweet tea.

09 of 25

Mint Julep Slush

Mint Julep Slush
Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Mint Julep Slush

We turned a classic bourbon cocktail on its head with one tiny change (hint: it's slushed ice!). And trust us, it's a game-changer.

10 of 25

Spiced Tea Bourbon Refresher

Spiced Tea Bourbon Refresher
Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Spiced Tea Bourbon Refresher

This isn't your basic Arnold Palmer, thanks to spiced black tea bags, which go deliciously with the flavors of lemonade, bourbon, and just a touch of sweetness.

11 of 25

Mississippi Mudslides

Mississippi Mudslides
Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Mississippi Mudslides

Like a chocolate milkshake with an extra kick that makes it even more enjoyable—that's what a Mississippi Mudslide brings to the table.

12 of 25

Spicy Bourbon-Citrus Punch

Spicy Bourbon-Citrus Punch
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Spicy Bourbon-Citrus Punch

Talk about a happy hour sensation. This bourbon punch is as bright and cheery on the table as it is delicious when it hits your lips.

13 of 25

Old Fashioned Cocktail

Old Fashioned Cocktail
Southern Living

Recipe: Old Fashioned Cocktail

Make this classic even more drinkable with crushed ice cubes to keep the good times going.

14 of 25

Frozen Peach Old Fashioned

Frozen Peach Old Fashioned
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Frozen Peach Old Fashioned

Served ice-cold and topped with fresh mint, these summer-ready peach cocktails will help keep you keep cool all season long.

15 of 25

Bourbon Cola Grenadine Slush

Bourbon Cola Grenadine Slush
Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Bourbon Cola Grenadine Slush

Homemade cherry-cola, anyone? All it takes to make this frozen cocktail recipe is some Coca-Cola, your favorite bourbon, cherry syrup, and a few maraschinos to garnish.

16 of 25

Triple B Milk Punch

Triple B Milk Punch
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Recipe: Triple B Milk Punch

You don't only get bourbon with this recipe, but also brandy and buttermilk, too. Which is where it gets the name, "Triple B!" This cozy winter drink is perfect for the holidays.

17 of 25

Hot Bourbon-Orange Tea Toddy

Hot Bourbon-Orange Tea Toddy
Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Recipe: Hot Bourbon-Orange Tea Toddy

Something about a Hot Toddy really warms the soul, and you'll love whipping up this recipe that uses orange tea and fresh ginger.

18 of 25

Classic Mint Julep

Classic Mint Julep
Brent Hofacker/Getty Images

Recipe: Classic Mint Julep

Mint juleps are the quintessential Southern cocktail. All you need for this classic version is fresh mint, mint simple syrup, and bourbon. Leftover simple syrup keeps refrigerated about one week and perfectly sweetens iced tea.

19 of 25

Spiced Tea Bourbon Refresher

Spiced Tea Bourbon Refresher
Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Spiced Tea Bourbon Refresher

This Arnold Palmer-inspired drink gets extra personality with bourbon, a delicious honey simple syrup, and fresh orange slices.

20 of 25

Big Batch Bourbon Ginger Ale Punch

Big Batch Bourbon Ginger Ale Punch
Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Big Batch Bourbon Ginger Ale Punch

Bourbon, but make it springtime party-appropriate? Even the girliest spread could appreciate this champagne punch with lime.

21 of 25

Bourbon Apple Cider Thyme Punch

Bourbon Apple Cider Thyme Punch
Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Bourbon Apple Cider Thyme Punch

This one's bound to get you in the autumn mood. Bourbon, apple cider, and thyme are a trio made in heaven.

22 of 25

Maple Bourbon Smash

Maple Bourbon Smash
Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Maple Bourbon Smash

Basically a bourbon smash, but made cozy like a Sunday morning with the addition of pure maple syrup, which cuts the harsh alcohol taste for those who need a buffer.

23 of 25

Bourbon Slush

Bourbon Slush
Oxmoor House

Recipe: Bourbon Slush

This adult slush combines tea, lemonade, orange juice, and bourbon for the ultimate Southern cocktail.

24 of 25

Mississippi Bourbon Punch

Mississippi Bourbon Punch
Southern Living

Recipe: Mississippi Bourbon Punch

Muscadine wine stars in this spirited concoction of grenadine, bourbon, and a variety of fruit juices and sodas.

25 of 25

Aperol-Bourbon Fizz

Aperol Bourbon Fizz
Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Aperol-Bourbon Fizz

Everyone's favorite refreshing fizz just got a honky-tonk makeover. Kidding—a little! Turns out, orange liqueur pairs wonderfully with bourbon.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles