5 Easy Bourbon Cocktails Anyone Can Make

So, you want to dip your toes into bourbon—but the idea of drinking it straight sounds… a little intimidating? You’re not alone. Bourbon is packed with flavor, but it’s also one of the easiest spirits to mix. With the right ingredients, you can turn that bottle on your shelf into something smooth, refreshing, and totally beginner-friendly. Here are 5 easy bourbon cocktails for beginners that you can make with simple ingredients—no fancy bar setup required.

Easy Bourbon Cocktails Anyone Can Make

1. The Classic Old Fashioned

If bourbon had a signature drink, this would be it. The Old Fashioned is smooth, sweet, and lets the bourbon shine without being overwhelming.

What you’ll need:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 sugar cube (or ½ tsp simple syrup)
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Orange peel
• Ice

How to make it:

1. Muddle the sugar and bitters together in a glass.
2. Add bourbon and stir until dissolved.
3. Drop in one large ice cube and twist an orange peel over the top.

Beginner tip: Use a sweeter, lower-proof bourbon like Maker’s Mark or Buffalo Trace to make this one extra smooth.

2. The Whiskey Sour

This is the gateway cocktail for new bourbon drinkers—it’s tart, sweet, and oh-so refreshing.

What you’ll need:

• 2 oz bourbon
• ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
• ½ oz simple syrup
• Ice
• Optional: egg white for foam

How to make it:

1. Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Strain into a glass and garnish with a cherry or lemon slice.

Try this combo: Four Roses Small Batch for a balanced, citrusy drink that’s smooth enough for first-timers.

3. Bourbon & Cola (The Easy Classic)

Sometimes simple is best—and nothing’s more straightforward than bourbon and cola. This one’s perfect when you want something smooth, sweet, and familiar.

What you’ll need:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 6 oz cola
• Ice
• Lime wedge

How to make it:

1. Pour bourbon over ice.
2. Top with cola and stir gently.
3. Add a squeeze of lime for a touch of brightness.

Perfect starter mix: Evan Williams Black Label + Coke Zero. It’s budget-friendly and smooth.

4. The Kentucky Mule

Meet the bourbon twist on a Moscow Mule. It’s crisp, fizzy, and just spicy enough to make you look like you know what you’re doing behind the bar.

What you’ll need:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 4 oz ginger beer
• ½ oz lime juice
• Ice

How to make it:

1. Fill a copper mug or glass with ice.
2. Add bourbon and lime juice.
3. Top with ginger beer and stir.

💬 Try this combo: Bulleit Bourbon + Fever-Tree Ginger Beer. The ginger brings out bourbon’s caramel notes.

5. Bourbon & Apple Cider

This one tastes like fall in a glass—but honestly, it’s good year-round. Perfect for cozy nights in or holiday parties.

What you’ll need:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 4 oz apple cider
• Dash of cinnamon (optional)
• Ice

How to make it:

1. Combine bourbon and apple cider in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake, strain into a glass, and sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon on top.

Best with: Buffalo Trace or Woodford Reserve. They have warm, sweet notes that pair beautifully with cider.

Bonus: Build Your Own Simple Mixers

If you’re experimenting, try mixing bourbon with:

• Ginger ale for a mild, spicy fizz
• Lemonade for a refreshing summer sipper
• Sweet tea for that classic Southern combo

You can’t mess it up. The goal is to explore until you find what fits your taste.

Final Sip

You don’t need a fancy bar setup or mixology skills to make great bourbon drinks. Start simple, experiment, and have fun with it.

Once you find a cocktail you love, try a sip of that bourbon on its own—you’ll start recognizing the same flavors that made you fall in love with the drink.