Classic Cocktails: 8 Essential Rye Whisky Cocktails to Warm the Soul

As the cool weather sets in, there’s no better time to explore the rich, spicy flavours of rye whisky. Known for its distinctive bite and warming notes, rye whisky brings depth to classic cocktails that have stood the test of time. Here are 8 must-try rye whisky cocktails that will make any gathering feel timeless and refined.

1. Manhattan

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Birds & Bees Rye Whisky
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Maraschino cherry, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine rye whisky, sweet vermouth, and bitters in a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir until well-chilled, then strain into a chilled glass.
3. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

2. Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

• 2 oz  Birds & Bees Rye Whisky
• 1 sugar cube or 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
• Orange peel, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Muddle the sugar and bitters in a glass, then add rye whisky and a large ice cube.
2. Stir gently, then garnish with an orange peel.

3. Whisky Sour

Ingredients:

• 2 oz  Birds & Bees Rye Whisky
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• Lemon wheel and cherry, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Shake the whisky, lemon juice, and syrup with ice.
2. Strain into a glass with fresh ice
3. Garnish with a lemon wheel and cherry.

4. Boulevardier

Ingredients:

• 1 oz  Birds & Bees Rye Whisky
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• 1 oz Campari
• Orange twist, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a mixing glass with ice, combine Victor Rye, vermouth, and Campari.
2. Stir until chilled, then strain into a glass.
3. Garnish with an orange twist.

5. Sazerac

Ingredients:

• 2 oz  Birds & Bees Rye Whisky
• Absinthe (to rinse)
• 1 sugar cube
• 2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
• Lemon twist, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Rinse a chilled glass with absinthe and set aside.
2. Muddle the sugar cube and bitters, add rye, and stir with ice.
3. Strain into the prepared glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

6. Vieux Carré

Ingredients:

• 1 oz  Birds & Bees Rye Whisky
• 1 oz cognac
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• 1 dash Angostura bitters
• 1 dash Peychaud’s bitters
• Lemon twist, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a glass with fresh ice.
2. Garnish with a lemon twist.

7. Rye and Ginger

Ingredients:

• 2 oz  Birds & Bees Rye Whisky
• Ginger ale, to top
• Lime wedge, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a glass with ice, add the rye, and top with ginger ale.
2. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge.

8. Ward Eight

Ingredients:

• 2 oz  Birds & Bees Rye Whisky
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 oz fresh orange juice
• 1/2 oz grenadine
• Cherry, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Shake the rye, lemon juice, orange juice, and grenadine with ice.
2. Strain into a glass and garnish with a cherry.

Festive and flavoursome, these rye whisky recipes are sure to warm you up on a cold winter’s night. Looking to be a more inclusive ho-ho-host? Check out our new selection of mocktails, guaranteed to bring holiday cheer without the hangover!