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15 Delicious Bourbon Cocktails You’ll Want to Sip All Winter Long

15 Delicious Bourbon Cocktails You’ll Want to Sip All Winter Long

Whether you’re cozying up by the fire, entertaining for the holidays, or just meeting old friends at the bar, there’s nothing like a bourbon cocktail in the winter. Just one sip of bourbon whiskey will warm you up even on the coldest days. Some people drink it neat or on the rocks, while others prefer a tasty bourbon cocktail.

And luckily, when it comes to cocktails, the options are endless. Iconic drinks like old fashioneds, Manhattans, mint juleps, whiskey sours and hot toddies all use bourbon as a base to bring out the unique qualities of each cocktail.

While these classics are solid must-haves for any occasion, you can also kick them up a notch during the winter months with a more festive, seasonal approach.

Read on for some delicious winter-themed bourbon cocktails that can keep you warm for the next few months. And for more drinks, check out the 9 Best Cheap Wines That Taste Expensive, According to Sommeliers.

Go to recipe

Spicy Pumpkin Bourbon Smash

Half-cooked harvest

Homemade pumpkin spice syrup, orange juice, bitters, ginger beer, and bourbon of your choice all come together to create this Spiced Pumpkin Smash. People most often associate pumpkin with fall, but these flavors can also keep you warm and cozy all winter long.

Get the recipe from Half-Baked Harvest.

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Old-fashioned vanilla chai

Half-cooked harvest

You can’t go wrong with a cocktail featuring toasted vanilla, spicy chai, and warming bourbon. All you need to do ahead of time is make a chai simple syrup from chai tea bags, sugar, and water, which you can store in the fridge for future drinks!

Get the recipe from Half-Baked Harvest.

Bourbon and Brown Sugar Smash

How sweet it is

This Brown Sugar Bourbon Smash is like the cocktail version of your favorite holiday desserts, with flavors like ginger, brown sugar, apple, and cinnamon. It can be served over ice, but this wintery bourbon cocktail will warm you up.

Get the recipe from How Sweet Eats.

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A long winter nap

Treat yourself at home

This bourbon cocktail, aptly called A Long Winter’s Nap, can be served chilled or hot and features a satisfying combination of maple, ginger, anise, lemon, cinnamon and bourbon.

Get the recipe from Feasting at Home.

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Winter Bourbon Smash

Minimalist baker

A typical bourbon smash would be made with freshly crushed fruit, but this Winter Bourbon Smash uses canned fruit, along with orange juice and triple sec, to save you time while delivering a burst of comforting flavors for the cold months to come.

Get the recipe from Minimalist Baker.

Boulevardier

Give me some oven

You can sip a Boulevardier all year round, but this simple bourbon recipe made with orange, Campari, and sweet vermouth can warm your insides during the colder months.

Get the recipe from Gimme Some Oven.

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Holiday Cheermeister Bourbon Punch

Courtesy of Half Baked Harvest

This holiday-inspired punch features some of your favorite winter flavors of pomegranate and orange combined with bourbon and Prosecco. This bourbon cocktail is perfect for impressing a party, and you can even add a sprig of rosemary for a fancy touch.

Get the recipe from Half-Baked Harvest.

Hot Chili Cinnamon Bourbon Toddy

Courtesy of Minimalist Baker

A hot toddy is a classic winter drink for when you need to warm up, and it’s also a popular cold remedy for those who want a little shot of bourbon to clear out those sinuses. This recipe is similar to traditional hot toddy but contains cinnamon and red pepper for added heat.

Get the recipe from Minimalist Baker.

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Old Fashioned Spiced Honey Bourbon

Courtesy of Half Baked Harvest

This recipe is similar to an old-fashioned classic, but with a seasonal twist. You’ll enjoy the warming flavors of cinnamon, cardamom, rosemary and honey, accompanied by your favorite bourbon.

Get the recipe from Half-Baked Harvest.

Bourbon Lemon Rosemary Sour

Foxes love lemons

This bourbon cocktail is one of the lighter and more refreshing options on our list for those who don’t want something very heavy and boozy. It’s like your typical sour, but with a little rosemary-infused simple syrup to balance out the tangy citrus flavors. This one is sure to impress those who love lemon and bourbon together.

Get the recipe from Foxes Love Lemons.

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Cranberry Bourbon Sour

Courtesy of Half Baked Harvest

Another take on the whiskey sour, but this time with the seasonal flavor of cranberry and orange. This one also pairs great with a sprig of candied rosemary on top, which will make you look like a professional bartender with very little effort.

Get the recipe from Half-Baked Harvest.

Hot Buttered Bourbon

Courtesy of Well Plated by Erin

Hot Buttered Bourbon is a delicious, warming drink that will warm you up. It combines apple cider, butter, a variety of spices, honey and bourbon, and this drink can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated at any time.

Get the recipe from Well Plate By Erin.

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Cinnamon Bourbon Old Fashioned with Burnt Oranges

Half-Cooked Harvest Courtest

This is another take on an old favorite, but this time with homemade cinnamon simple syrup, orange juice, and burnt oranges. Making burnt oranges is simple and requires very little effort, but it’s a detail that makes this drink unique.

Get the recipe from Half-Baked Harvest.

Cinnamon and maple whiskey sour

Courtesy of Cookie + Kate

This recipe is simple and requires only four ingredients, so it’s a great choice for beginning home bartenders. Just grab your bourbon of choice, maple syrup, lemon, and ground cinnamon, and you have a cozy winter cocktail.

Get the recipe from Cookie + Kate.

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Fall Bourbon Apple Fizz

Courtesy of How Sweet Eats

Yes, this is technically a fall-themed cocktail, but the recipe is too warm and delicious not to include on your winter drinks list. The use of flavors like apple, cinnamon, orange, fig, and ginger makes this a great cold weather bourbon cocktail to try alone or share with friends.

Get the recipe from How Sweet Eats.

This story has been updated to include additional entries, fact checking and revision.