20 Best Bourbon Cocktail Recipes That Everyone Will Love (Promise)

When you picture bourbon and whiskey, what comes to mind? Bonfires and campgrounds, buffalo plaid, a cozy knit blanket, and maybe some softly falling snow, right? But bourbon is delicious 365 days a year—it all depends on the type of bourbon you choose…

When you picture bourbon and whiskey, what comes to mind? Bonfires and campgrounds, buffalo plaid, a cozy knit blanket, and maybe some softly falling snow, right? But bourbon is delicious 365 days a year—it all depends on the type of bourbon you choose and how you shake (or stir) it up for a cocktail. But before we dive in to our favorite bourbon cocktail recipes, let’s get a brief bourbon 101.

For starters, what’s the difference between bourbon and whiskey? “All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon,” explains Ashley Barnes, co-founder and master blender for Off-Hours Bourbon. “Whiskey is the overall category, and bourbon is a subclass within that category,” she says. In order for whiskey to be classified as bourbon, Barnes says that it must be made with 51 percent corn, has to be aged in a new charred oak barrel, and must be made in the United States.

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10 Best Nonalcoholic Thanksgiving Cocktail Recipes for the Whole Fam

Thanksgiving dinner isn’t complete without beverages—wine, whiskey, and bourbon may come to mind in some households, plus sparkling water and sodas for anyone not drinking the hard stuff. But there’s a whole category of not-boring nonalcoholic drinks t…

Thanksgiving dinner isn’t complete without beverages—wine, whiskey, and bourbon may come to mind in some households, plus sparkling water and sodas for anyone not drinking the hard stuff. But there’s a whole category of not-boring nonalcoholic drinks that make family-friendly substitutes for Thanksgiving cocktails. Mulled apple cider with cinnamon sticks, orange peel, and fresh ginger is a must, but what about hot chocolate, a cranberry mocktail with Red Bull energy drink, or an apple and maple cocktail made with a nonalcoholic spirit? Here are 10 of the best nonalcoholic Thanksgiving mocktails to make for Turkey Day.


10 Best Thanksgiving Mocktails

1. Perfect Hot Chocolate

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off the official start of the holiday season, and nothing says “winter is here” like the perfect cup of hot cocoa. Serve homemade hot chocolate—made with both cocoa powder and chocolate pieces—to kids and adults alike after Thanksgiving dinner.

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31 Best Thanksgiving Cocktail Recipes to Toast the Roast

When you’re planning your Thanksgiving menu, you’re sure to get the basics—the turkey, of course. Something like mashed potatoes, a couple of green vegetables, sweet potatoes, perhaps with marshmallows or a brown sugar crumble, a crisp salad, and at le…

When you’re planning your Thanksgiving menu, you’re sure to get the basics—the turkey, of course. Something like mashed potatoes, a couple of green vegetables, sweet potatoes, perhaps with marshmallows or a brown sugar crumble, a crisp salad, and at least a few types of pie. You’ll probably also give some thought to drinks, both alcoholic and not. A couple varieties of whites and red come to mind. But what about cocktails? Whether you want to make one big-batch punch or sangria that everyone can enjoy, or are ready to unleash your inner mixologist and offer a few signature cocktails for the feast, these Thanksgiving cocktail recipes are the menu upgrade you’ve been waiting for.


Our Best Thanksgiving Cocktails

1. Whiskey & Apple Cider Syrup

Grab a gallon of apple cider and get ready to make the most autumnal cocktail your bar cart has ever seen. You boil down the cider into a thickened syrup and then mixed with rye whiskey over ice and garnished with a cinnamon stick.

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Mulled Wine

This mulled wine recipe is easy and classic, starring a bold red, mulling spices, brandy and orange. The ideal cozy…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

This mulled wine recipe is easy and classic, starring a bold red, mulling spices, brandy and orange. The ideal cozy drink for a crowd!

Mulled wine

When the first chill starts to fill the air, it’s time for cozy drink season! What better way to start the fun than a great Mulled Wine? Make up a big pot, and it fills your kitchen with an intoxicating aroma of toasted allspice and cinnamon. This recipe is just sweet enough, balancing the bold fruity wine with mulling spices, citrus, and oak and vanilla notes on the finish. It’s truly stunning: a classic recipe for all your fall and winter occasions!

What is mulled wine?

Mulled wine is wine that’s heated with spices. It’s typically served in the fall and winter, especially around Christmastime. The first recorded spiced wine recipe was in Rome in the 2nd Century AD! Today it’s very popular in the UK and across Europe, as well as the US. It’s called Glühwein in German-speaking countries and Glögg in Nordic countries.

Mulled Wine

Mulled wine spices

Mulled wine is made with mulling spices, which infuse the entire drink with that signature cozy flavor. (The same style of spices are used in Mulled Cider.) Typically a mulled wine is simmered with whole spices instead of ground, so the flavor infuses into the wine instead of making it cloudy. There are lots of variations on the spices depending on your country and tradition. Common mulled wine spices include:

  • Cinnamon sticks
  • Cloves
  • Allspice berries
  • Whole nutmeg
  • Star anise

Star anise is the most unique of these mulled wine spices: it’s a star-shaped seed pod. It’s available at most grocery stores, but you can also buy star anise online.

Mulled wine spices

How to make mulled wine: stovetop, slow cooker or Instant Pot

You can make mulled wine using various methods: our favorite is the stovetop because it’s quick and easy! But if you’re serving a crowd at a party, a slow cooker or Instant Pot are great options. Here are the three methods of how to make mulled wine:

  • Stovetop method: The quickest method, at only 30 minutes! Just make sure it stays on the lowest warming setting: it shouldn’t even come to a simmer (otherwise the liquid reduces too much).
  • Slow cooker method: This method takes 2 hours and is great for parties! You can leave it on the warm setting and serve it right out of the Crock Pot.
  • Instant Pot method: Use this version if you have a pressure cooker instead of a slow cooker!
Mulled wine

Tips to the best mulled wine recipe

A good mulled wine is one thing: but a truly great mulled wine has a few tricks to take the flavor over the top! Here’s are a few tips for how to make the best version of this drink:

  • Toast the spices first. Toasting the spices for a few minutes in the pot or a skillet helps to release even more of their flavor during the simmering time. Plus, it makes your kitchen smell incredible!
  • Simmer very low. You barely want it to be bubbling. If it’s too high, the liquid will reduce and get too thick.
  • Add brandy and orange juice at the end. Do this instead of simmering them with the wine. It brings in major oak, vanilla and citrus notes to the finish of each sip.

Make a double recipe for party size

This mulled wine recipe uses one 750 ml bottle of wine, and makes enough for 6 servings of ¾ cup each. Serving a crowd? We’d recommend grabbing two bottles of wine and doubling this recipe. A doubled or even tripled recipe would fit in a Slow Cooker or Instant Pot. Use the 2x button in the recipe below for easy doubling.

Mulled Wine recipe

More winter drinks

Mulled wine is one of our top winter cocktails and hot alcoholic drinks! Here are a few more that always hit the spot:

This mulled wine recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

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Mulled Wine

Mulled Wine


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 0 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6 drinks
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

This mulled wine recipe is easy and classic, starring a bold red, mulling spices, brandy and orange. The ideal cozy drink for a crowd!


Ingredients

  • 10 allspice berries
  • 10 whole cloves
  • 3 star anise pods
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 750 ml bottle dry red wine*
  • ½ cup water
  • ¼ cup maple syrup or honey
  • ¼ cup brandy or Cognac
  • 1 small orange, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Toast the spices: Add the spices to the bottom of a pot (or to a skillet for Slow Cooker or Instant Pot). Toast over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant.
  2. Stovetop cooking instructions: Turn the heat to low. Add the water, then pour in the wine and maple syrup and stir. Warm for 30 minutes on low heat, just barely bubbling. Do not let the wine come to a full simmer (or the liquid will reduce too much).
  3. Slow Cooker & Instant Pot instructions: Place the wine, water and maple syrup in the slow cooker or Instant Pot (pressure cooker) with the toasted spices. Cook on low for 2 hours or Normal using the Instant Pot “Slow Cooker” setting.
  4. Add brandy and orange juice: When ready to serve, stir in the brandy or Cognac and the juice from 1 orange. Garnish with orange slices and if desired, rosemary sprigs. 

Notes

*Double the recipe for a party: for the Slow Cooker and Instant Pot it’s nice to have the doubled quantities. 

  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Drink

Keywords: Mulled wine, mulled wine recipe, how to make mulled wine, mulled wine spices

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Pumpkin Old Fashioned Cocktail

Want a pumpkin cocktail? Try the Pumpkin Old Fashioned! It’s a cozy slow sipper with bourbon and hints of vanilla…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

Want a pumpkin cocktail? Try the Pumpkin Old Fashioned! It’s a cozy slow sipper with bourbon and hints of vanilla and spice.

Pumpkin Cocktail Pumpkin Old Fashioned

Looking for a pumpkin cocktail that’s sippable and not too sweet? Try our new favorite fall drink: the Pumpkin Old Fashioned! This one is for bourbon-lovers: it’s a nuanced slow sipper with notes of vanilla, maple and spice. It’s barely sweet and bourbon-forward, ideal for sipping by the fireside or any fall occasion. While it’s bright orange, it tastes just like the Classic Old Fashioned you love…only cozier.

What’s in a Pumpkin Old Fashioned cocktail?

This Pumpkin Old Fashioned cocktail is 100% Old Fashioned, with a hint of pumpkin spices. It’s a great contrast to most pumpkin cocktails, which tend to be on the sweet and creamy side (like this Pumpkin Martini). This one has just the right finish from the pumpkin spices, but it’s still very bourbon forward. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Bourbon
  • Pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • Pure maple syrup
  • Pumpkin pie spice
  • Vanilla

The ingredients might make it seem like a sweet drink, this Pumpkin Old Fashioned is anything but! Take a sip and it tastes like bourbon on the front end, but the finish has a distinct nuance of spice.

Pumpkin Cocktail Pumpkin Old Fashioned

Use pure maple syrup or simple syrup

Don’t have pure maple syrup? This pumpkin cocktail uses pure maple syrup, not the synthetic kind! You can substitute honey or simple syrup if you don’t have it on hand. Even better, make a batch of Brown Sugar Syrup! It takes just 5 minutes and all you need is brown sugar. The flavor is even deeper and more caramel than maple syrup.

How to make a Pumpkin Old Fashioned

The method for making a Pumpkin Old Fashioned cocktail is different from the typical Old Fashioned. For the classic, you muddle a sugar cube with bitters, then add the bourbon right in the glass. For the pumpkin version, you’ll have to shake it! Here’s why:

  • Shake the ingredients in a cocktail shaker. This is unconventional for an Old Fashioned. But it’s necessary to integrate the pumpkin puree into the drink. It makes a beautiful orange color!
  • Strain into an ice-filled glass. When you’re making an Old Fashioned, a big ice cube is key. Make a batch of Clear Ice for the best results.
  • Garnish! This pumpkin cocktail looks great with a rosemary branch and orange peel, evoking the colors of…you guessed it, a pumpkin.
Pumpkin Cocktail Pumpkin Old Fashioned

More pumpkin drinks

There are so many tasty ways to add pumpkin to your drinks! From smoothies to cocktails, we’ve got you covered. Try these delicious pumpkin drinks:

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Pumpkin Old Fashioned Cocktail


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 drink
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

Want a pumpkin cocktail? Try the Pumpkin Old Fashioned! It’s a cozy slow sipper with bourbon and hints of vanilla and spice.


Ingredients

  • 2 ounces* bourbon whiskey
  • 1 tablespoons pumpkin puree
  • ½ tablespoon maple syrup
  • ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (purchased or homemade)
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 dash Angostura bitters
  • Ice, for serving (try clear ice!)

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add 1 handful ice and shake until cold.
  2. Strain the drink into an ice-filled lowball glass. Garnish with rosemary and an orange peel, if desired.
  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Shaken
  • Cuisine: Cocktails

Keywords: Old Fashioned Pumpkin, Pumpkin Old Fashioned, Pumpkin cocktail

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Apple Cider Margarita

This apple cider margarita recipe will impress everyone! It’s tangy and balanced, with a cinnamon sugar rim. Once apple cider…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

This apple cider margarita recipe will impress everyone! It’s tangy and balanced, with a cinnamon sugar rim.

Apple cider margarita

Once apple cider season rolls around, there’s one cocktail you absolutely must make with it. This Apple Cider Margarita! It’s tangy and balanced: the zingy tequila and lime pairs beautifully with the sweet cider. Top it off with a cinnamon sugar rim, and every sip is a delight. Every margarita recipe we make is my favorite…until we make a new one. This one is ideal as a fall cocktail or winter drink: make the pitcher variation if you’re serving a crowd!

What’s in an apple cider margarita?

This apple cider margarita is a spin on the Classic Margarita, a simple classic cocktail from the 1930’s that’s stood the test of time. The ingredients in the classic? Tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur (Triple Sec or Cointreau). This version stays true to the classic definition, simply adding in apple cider to the mix. Here’s what you’ll need for this apple cider margarita:

  • Tequila
  • Lime juice
  • Cointreau
  • Apple cider
  • Cinnamon and sugar, for the rim
Apple cider margarita

What type of apple cider to buy?

There are a few major types of apple cider you’ll find at the store that you can use in this margarita. Here’s a breakdown and what we prefer:

  • Unfiltered vs filtered: Apple cider is sold unfiltered, which has the pulp and sediment, and filtered, which is basically like apple juice. For the best flavor and color for this drink, choose unfiltered! But it works with filtered as well.
  • Pasteurized vs unpasteurized: Pasteurizing apple cider makes it more shelf stable. If it’s unpasteurized, it can turn into hard cider or apple cider vinegar over time, so you should drink it within 2 weeks. Unpasteurized cider has more risk of bacteria, so we recommend pasteurized.

How to make a cinnamon sugar rim

The best part of this apple cider margarita recipe? The cinnamon sugar rim! It gives a pop of sweetness to each sip, and a bit of texture on the edge of the glass. Here’s how to whip it up at home:

  • Use a lime wedge to wet the wedge of the glass. Cut a notch in it, then run it around the edge of the glass. You can do a thicker band, like you see in the photos.
  • Mix up a plate of cinnamon and sugar. You don’t even have to measure: any quantity will do.
  • Place the outer edge of the glass in the sugar and rotate. Make sure the outer edge is evenly coated (not the inside).

Voila! Take one sip, and this drink is deliciously balanced between tangy lime, zingy tequila and sweet cinnamon sugar.

Apple cider margarita

Make an apple cider margarita pitcher (8 servings)

Serving a crowd? The best way to serve an apple cider margarita is as a pitcher! That way, you can spend 5 minutes making 8 drinks instead of one. You can prepare all the glasses with cinnamon sugar rims, then pour the drink into each (approximate 2/3 cup liquid per glass, plus ice!). Here’s what to mix together:

  • 1 ½ cups tequila
  • 2 cups apple cider
  • ¾ cup Triple Sec or Cointreau
  • ¾ cup lime juice
  • 3 handfuls ice

Add these ingredients to a pitcher, mix, and enjoy! The ice quantity is important for the dilution that would occur in a cocktail shaker. Let us know what you think in the comments below!

More apple cider cocktails

Love apple cider? Make all these fall cocktails and apple cocktails that use cider:

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Apple cider margarita

Apple Cider Margarita


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 drink
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

This apple cider margarita recipe will impress everyone! It’s tangy and balanced, with a cinnamon sugar rim.


Ingredients

  • 1 ½ ounces* tequila reposado
  • 2 ounces apple cider
  • ¾ ounce Triple Sec or Cointreau
  • ¾ ounce fresh lime juice
  • Cinnamon and sugar, for the rim
  • Ice, for serving (try clear ice!)
  • Star anise and cinnamon stick, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run the lime around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of cinnamon and sugar.
  2. Single drink: Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and fill it with ice. Shake until cold. Strain the margarita into the glass with the sugar rim. Fill the glass with ice and serve.
  3. Pitcher (8 servings): Place 1 ½ cups tequila, 2 cups apple cider, ¾ cup Triple Sec or Cointreau, and ¾ cup lime juice in a pitcher. Add 3 handfuls ice and stir until cold. Prepare the glasses separately, then add 2/3 cup to each glass and garnish with ice.

Notes

*To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons

  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Shaken
  • Cuisine: Cocktails

Keywords: Apple cider margarita

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Our 27 Best Fall Cocktails for Fireside Sippin’

This article was updated in August 2023 to include more of our favorite fall cocktails.

It’s fall, y’all, and while sipping apple cider and pumpkin spice lattes are a given, finding the perfect fall cocktail recipe isn’t so easy. After a season of s…

This article was updated in August 2023 to include more of our favorite fall cocktails.


It’s fall, y’all, and while sipping apple cider and pumpkin spice lattes are a given, finding the perfect fall cocktail recipe isn’t so easy. After a season of spritzes and rosé wine, we’re craving cocktails that are equal parts refreshing and cozy. From an apple cider margarita to a mulled wine sparkler, we rounded up our best fall cocktails (and a couple of mocktails too!).

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Apple Harvest Punch Recipe

A refreshing, whiskey punch we’re calling apple harvest punch! It’s made with apple cider, lemon juice, whiskey and ginger simple syrup. It’s great for a fall gathering, pumpkin carving party, Thanksgiving or a cheese gathering! We lo…

A refreshing, whiskey punch we’re calling apple harvest punch! It’s made with apple cider, lemon juice, whiskey and ginger simple syrup. It’s great for a fall gathering, pumpkin carving party, Thanksgiving or a cheese gathering! We love this recipe because it’s simple to make and has the best fall flavors like apple cider and ginger. […]

The post Apple Harvest Punch Recipe appeared first on Sugar and Charm.

Rum Punch

No one can resist this Rum Punch recipe! Here are the classic ingredients that make a perfectly balanced tropical flavor.…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

No one can resist this Rum Punch recipe! Here are the classic ingredients that make a perfectly balanced tropical flavor.

Rum Punch

Here’s a cocktail recipe that’s so pristine, it’s no wonder it’s got a long history. Try this Rum Punch recipe! The concept of rum punch goes back to the 1600’s, though this one is closer to a Planter’s Punch from the early 1900’s. The balance of the ingredients is ideal: instead of overly saccharine is perfectly sweet tart, fruity, and tropical. In fact, it’s so good you won’t be able to resist another sip. Try this easier spin on the Mai Tai: and prepare to be amazed.

What is rum punch?

What’s rum punch? A punch is any drink that includes fruit juices, either non-alcoholic or alcoholic, often served in a large bowl with glasses. The first printed record of a punch dates back to 1632 in English documents, a concept borrowed from India. Modern punch evolved in the 1650’s with Jamaican rum. The single serving punch, called a sling, came about after that (the most famous of which is the Singapore Sling).

Some of the oldest punches are rum-based, and were made using the following recipe in a rhyme: “One of Sour, Two of Sweet, Three of Strong, Four of Weak.” This rum punch recipe is similar to Planter’s Punch, which originated in Jamaica and was first published in an 1878 London magazine. Our recipe adds pineapple, orange and grenadine, which is traditional in many rum punch recipes you’ll find today. The rum punch ingredients you’ll need are:

  • White rum
  • Dark rum
  • Pineapple juice
  • Orange juice
  • Lime juice
  • Grenadine
Rum punch recipe

Types of rum

Many rum punch recipes use more than one type of rum. Why is it necessary? Different types of rum add a lot of nuance in flavor. Taste the different varieties, and you’ll find that they almost taste like different liquor. You can use only one type if it’s all you have, but it’s worth seeking out two types for the flavor difference. Here’s an outline on types of rum:

  • Dark rum has a deep, caramel flavor and notes of cinnamon and spices (see Dark Rum Drinks)
  • White rum has a straightforward flavor rum with the signature fruity finish
  • Aged rum, aka golden or añejo rum, has notes of vanilla, coconut, almond, citrus, or caramel
  • Coconut rum is a sweet coconut-flavored liqueur made with rum (Malibu is the most popular)

Because Malibu rum is so sweet, make sure to use it in combination with another rum. But if all you have is white rum or dark rum, you can use just one type of rum in a pinch.

Grenadine syrup

Buy grenadine or make homemade

Got grenadine on hand? Grenadine is a red non-alcoholic syrup with a sweet tart flavor, commonly used in cocktails and mocktails. Many people think it’s cherry flavored, but it’s actually made from pomegranate juice! It’s been used in grenadine cocktails for hundreds of years, from the Singapore Sling to the Shirley Temple.

Much of the grenadine on the market today has artificial sweeteners and colors. Look for an all natural grenadine, or you can make homemade grenadine! It’s easy to make with pomegranate seeds.

How to make rum punch

This rum punch recipe is for a single serving drink, in the tradition of the classic Singapore Sling or Hurricane. But you can serve it in a punch bowl, too! Here’s how to make rum punch (or jump to the recipe below):

  • Stir: In a hurricane glass, add 1 ounce each white rum and dark rum, 2 ounces pineapple juice, 1 ounce orange juice and ½ ounce lime juice.
  • Top with grenadine: Top with ½ ounce grenadine, which will settle to the bottom and make a gradient effect. Serve garnished with an orange slice and cocktail cherry!
Rum punch ingredients

Or, serve it in a punch bowl

If you’re making rum punch for a crowd, the best way to serve it is in a punch bowl! It’s easy to multiply the quantities for 8 drinks. Simply replace each ounce with 1 cup of the ingredient! Here’s what to do:

  • Add all ingredients, including the grenadine, to a punch bowl.
  • Add a few handfuls ice to cool.
  • Garnish with orange slices!

And that’s it! This rum punch has risen to the top of our favorite drinks to make: we hope you’ll love it too! It’s great as a tropical drink or beach drink, and works in any season.

More rum drinks

Love rum? Here are a few more top rum cocktails to try:

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Rum Punch

Rum Punch


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 drink (or 8 drinks)
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce* (or 1 cup) white rum
  • 1 ounce (or 1 cup) dark rum
  • 2 ounces (or 2 cups) pineapple juice
  • 1 ounce (or 1 cup) orange juice
  • ½ ounce (or ½ cup) lime juice
  • ½ ounce (or ½ cup) grenadine
  • For the garnish: orange slice, cocktail cherry

Instructions

  1. For the single serving: In a highball glass, stir together all ingredients (in ounces), except for the grenadine. Fill the glass with ice and top with the grenadine. Garnish with the orange slice and cherry.
  2. For party size (8 servings): Place all ingredients in a punch bowl or pitcher, and add a few handfuls of ice. Add orange slices or wheels as a garnish.

Notes

*To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons

  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Stirred
  • Cuisine: Cocktails

Keywords: Rum punch, rum punch recipe

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Cocktail Mixers Are Getting So Much Better—Here Are 7 Faves

In the not-so-distant past, if you wanted something to mix with liquor beyond the ubiquitous soda brands and fruit juices, your options for premade mixers were neon-hued, cloyingly sweet liquids, typically bearing pseudo-tropical names and unknown ingr…

In the not-so-distant past, if you wanted something to mix with liquor beyond the ubiquitous soda brands and fruit juices, your options for premade mixers were neon-hued, cloyingly sweet liquids, typically bearing pseudo-tropical names and unknown ingredients.

Luckily, cocktail mixers have come a long way in recent years. A growing number of companies (many of them led by former bartenders) have rolled out high-quality mixers, with more flavorful ingredients and scant amounts of sugar, that prioritize the overall flavor of the cocktail, not simply mask the taste of liquor.

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