Easy 2 ingredient bourbon drinks You Can Make At Home
A round up of two-ingredient bourbon drinks that you can easily make at home.
When it comes to making a delicious drink at home, simplicity is key. Whether you're a bourbon lover or just looking to elevate your home bar with easy two-ingredient cocktails, we've got you covered. Bourbon's rich, caramel notes pair beautifully with a variety of mixers, making it the perfect liquor for quick yet satisfying classic combinations.
Here are some of the best two-ingredient bourbon cocktails to try, using ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen or can easily pick up at your local liquor store.
1. Bourbon & Ginger Ale (The Classic Highball)
A refreshing summer cocktail that never goes out of style, bourbon and ginger ale is a match made in heaven. The spicy finish of ginger ale complements the smooth sweetness of your favorite bourbon, creating a great cocktail that's perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients:
2 oz bourbon
Ginger ale
Instructions:
Fill a tall glass with ice cubes, pour in bourbon, and top with ginger ale. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge or mint sprig for an extra touch.
2. Bourbon & Apple Cider
Looking for a cozy fall drink? The combination of bourbon and apple cider offers a sweet and spiced flavor profile that's perfect for cooler weather. This simple cocktail is great for holiday gatherings or a night in by the fire.
Ingredients:
2 oz bourbon
Apple cider
Instructions:
In a rocks glass filled with ice, pour bourbon over chilled apple cider. Stir well and garnish with an orange slice or a cinnamon stick.
3. Bourbon & Lemonade (Bourbon Lemonade)
When life gives you lemons, make bourbon lemonade! This great way to enjoy bourbon is both tart and sweet, offering a refreshing balance that's ideal for warm weather.
Ingredients:
2 oz bourbon
Fresh lemonade (store-bought or a big pitcher of fresh squeezed lemonade)
Instructions:
Pour bourbon over ice in a collins glass and top with lemonade. Garnish with a lemon wedge or fresh mint for a bright finish.
4. Bourbon & Ginger Beer (Kentucky Mule)
A twist on the classic Moscow Mule, the Kentucky Mule combines bourbon with spicy ginger beer for an excellent drink served in a chilled copper mug.
Ingredients:
2 oz bourbon
Ginger beer
Instructions:
Fill a copper mug with ice (or a regular glass works too if that’s all you have!), add bourbon, and top with ginger beer. Squeeze in fresh lime juice and garnish with a lime wedge.
5. Bourbon & Sweet Tea
Nothing says Southern charm like bourbon and sweet tea. This easy cocktail is perfect for sipping on the porch or at your next BBQ.
Ingredients:
2 oz bourbon
Sweet tea
Instructions:
Pour bourbon over ice in a tall glass and top with sweet tea. Garnish with a lemon wheel or fresh mint leaves.
6. Bourbon & Cream Soda
For those with a sweet tooth, bourbon and cream soda is a unique and indulgent treat. This delightful combination offers smooth, vanilla undertones with every sip.
Ingredients:
2 oz bourbon
Cream soda
Instructions:
Fill an ice-filled highball glass with bourbon and top with cream soda. Stir lightly and enjoy.
7. Bourbon & Grapefruit Juice
For a citrusy twist, grapefruit juice offers a tart and refreshing contrast to bourbon's richness, making it a great drink for brunch or a daytime gathering.
Ingredients:
2 oz bourbon
Grapefruit juice
Instructions:
Shake bourbon and grapefruit juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
8. Bourbon & Tonic Water
If you're a fan of gin and tonics, give bourbon and tonic water a try. The bitterness of tonic perfectly balances the sweetness of bourbon for a refreshing and crisp experience.
Ingredients:
2 oz bourbon
Tonic water
Instructions:
Pour bourbon into a glass filled with ice, top with tonic water, and garnish with a fresh lime wedge
Level Up with These 3-Ingredient Bourbon Cocktails
If you're ready to explore beyond the simplicity of two ingredients, adding just one more can unlock even more depth and complexity. These easy three-ingredient bourbon cocktails strike the perfect balance of flavor while still being effortless to make.
1. Gold Rush
A modern classic cocktail that’s both refreshing and satisfying, the Gold Rush blends bourbon with fresh lemon juice and honey syrup for a bright, slightly sweet drink with a silky finish.
Ingredients:
2 oz bourbon
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
3/4 oz honey syrup
Instructions:
Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice cubes and garnish with a lemon wheel.
2. Classic Whiskey Sour
This timeless drink is a great bourbon cocktail that delivers a perfect blend of sweet, tart, and smooth flavors. It’s an excellent drink for those who love a refreshing citrus twist.
Ingredients:
2 oz bourbon
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
3/4 oz simple syrup
Instructions:
Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass or an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or a cherry.
3. Boulevardier
A sophisticated and classy cocktail, the Boulevardier is the bourbon lover’s take on a Negroni. With sweet vermouth and Campari, this drink is rich, slightly bitter, and perfect for sipping.
Ingredients:
1.5 oz bourbon
1 oz sweet vermouth
1 oz Campari
Instructions:
Stir all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass or over a large ice cube in a rocks glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
4. Manhattan
This elegant and sophisticated cocktail is a classic combination of bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters, resulting in a smooth, slightly sweet drink with a hint of bitterness.
Ingredients:
2 oz bourbon
1 oz sweet vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Instructions:
Stir all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice until well chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry or a lemon twist.
5. Old Fashioned
A true classic cocktail, the Old Fashioned is all about enhancing the bourbon’s natural flavors with just a touch of sweetness and bitters. It's a simple cocktail with a rich history and timeless appeal.
Ingredients:
2 oz bourbon
1 sugar cube
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Instructions:
Muddle the sugar cube with bitters in a rocks glass until dissolved. Add ice cubes and bourbon, then stir until well combined. Garnish with an orange slice.
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What types of soda can be used to make bourbon drinks?
When it comes to making bourbon drinks, there are plenty of soda options to choose from. Here are a few types of soda that can be used to create delicious and refreshing cocktails with your favorite bourbon:
Ginger Ale: Ginger ale is a classic mixer that pairs wonderfully with bourbon. Its sweet and slightly spicy flavor complements the rich and smooth taste of bourbon. Try mixing bourbon and ginger ale over ice for a simple yet satisfying bourbon and ginger ale cocktail.
Ginger Beer: If you prefer a stronger ginger flavor, ginger beer is a great choice. It has a more pronounced ginger taste and a bit of a kick, making it perfect for creating a bold and flavorful bourbon Moscow Mule. Just combine bourbon, ginger beer, and a squeeze of lime juice in a copper mug filled with ice for a refreshing and zesty drink.
Soda Water: Sometimes, you want a lighter and more refreshing bourbon drink. In that case, soda water is a great option. Just mix bourbon with soda water and a splash of your favorite fruit juice, such as grapefruit or cranberry, for a simple and refreshing bourbon soda.
Cream Soda: If you have a sweet tooth, cream soda can add a creamy and vanilla-infused twist to your bourbon drinks. Mix bourbon with cream soda over ice for a deliciously indulgent and nostalgic treat.
Coke: Finally, one of the most classic soda options for bourbon drinks is Coca-Cola. The combination of bourbon and Coke creates a rich and sweet flavor profile that many people love. Simply mix bourbon with a splash of Coke and serve over ice for a satisfying and easy two-ingredient bourbon cocktail.
Crafting a simple cocktail doesn't mean sacrificing flavor. Whether you're reaching for ginger ale, apple cider, or tonic water, these two-ingredient bourbon cocktails are a great way to explore different taste preferences without any fuss. Stock up your home bar with essentials, grab your favorite bourbon, and start mixing!
Cheers to effortless, delicious drinks!
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