What to Mix with Whiskey? A Handy Guide to a New World of Drinks

I bet you’re just like me when I was younger.

I liked the idea and the appeal of whiskey, and I wanted to get into drinking it but I wasn’t sure if I’d like the drink neat, and I didn’t have the faintest clue where to start with mixing up a cocktail!

So, it makes sense that so many people wonder what to mix with bourbon.

Well, don’t worry because I’ve put together this handy list of whiskey mixers (with a few simple cocktails too) for you to get your teeth stuck into.

You’re bound to find a tasty way to enjoy your whiskey if you’re not ready to have it neat.

What to Mix with Whiskey: 8 Incredible Whiskey Mixers 

1. Coca Cola  

Starting with the standard, undoubtedly one of the best mixers for whiskey: cola. Diet or zero sugar alternatives will work just as well as the full-sugar variant for those looking to cut back a few calories.

The flavors most often found in whiskey really complement the famous cola taste so if you’re at an absolute loss for where to start: this is the one. 

2. Lemonade  

Equally as sweet as cola, but with a totally different citrusy tang, lemonade is one of the industry-standard mixers for whiskey.

The more bitter palette of the lemonade can balance out rather than compliment the sweet notes of most bourbons, which makes it an excellent but genuine alternative whiskey mixer to cola if you’re not one for a sugary overload. 

3. Soda Water  

If you’re a big fan of the taste of whiskey, but not so much the strength, whiskey and soda is a clean, versatile drink that lets the unique notes of your whiskey shine through.

The soda water is a great whiskey mixer, as it adds a nice pop of fizz to your drink and dilutes it down, without masking the flavor with sugary tones, which is sometimes exactly what you want. Garnish with a lemon slice for that extra little finish of flavor. 

4. Ginger Ale  

Not for the sweet tooth, whiskey and ginger ale pack a heck of a satisfying punch. A lot crisper and sharper on the tongue than many of the soda-style alternatives, this is a great choice if you’re bored of a standard ‘spirit and mixer’ sort of combination.

To get the best out of this great whiskey mixer, I’d recommend squeezing the juice of half a lime into the drink, then topping it off with a wedge. 

5. Water  

It might seem like an obvious pick, but the whiskey and water combination can really fly under the radar sometimes.

It’s an epic pairing and simply mixing whiskey and water in a 1:1 ratio will simultaneously take the edge off your drink and bring out some underlying notes in your whiskey which you wouldn’t get if you drank it neat. Simple, but effective. 

6. Coffee  

Ahh, the Irish Coffee. A grungier, edgier alternative to the espresso martini, but packing the same ‘wake me up and mess me up’ punch.

Whiskey and espresso is just the perfect flavor combination and when topped with whipped cream you get a classic pick me up, the perfect gateway into whiskey for coffee aficionados.

7. Bitters (Old Fashioned)  

A sugar cube, a couple of dashes of angostura bitters, and an orange slice. You’d struggle to name a more simple yet effective way to make your whiskey into a timeless classic of a cocktail.

Not one for masking cheap booze, like lemonade or cola, but probably the best way to really bring out the flavors of a good bourbon. If you’ve tried some of the more vanilla whiskey mixers on this list, be sure to give an old fashioned a go. You’ll likely find a new favorite!

8. Vermouth (Manhattan)  

American whiskey paired with Italian vermouth. The Manhattan really does embody the spirit of the city from which it took its name.

Just add an ounce of sweet vermouth to two ounces of your favorite bourbon or rye, a dash or two of angostura bitters, and a brandied cherry or lemon twist, and you’ll be sipping on the same masterpiece as those early 20th century socialites. When it comes to the best mixers for whiskey, a lot of people overlook vermouth. Make sure you don’t. 

What Whiskey To Mix? Best Bourbons for Any Price Point!

So now you know exactly what to mix with your whiskey, it’s time to get yourself out and buy a bottle to get started. Don’t know where to start? Take a look at our picks for the best whiskeys to mix, whatever your budget. 

Best Bourbon Under $30  

Here at Bourbon Inspector, this one was an easy choice. We love the Elijah Craig Small Batch because it really is the best bourbon on a budget. It’s classy, tasteful, and won’t break the bank. You might have to look a little but you can definitely pick up a bottle for under $30 and if you’re looking to get started with whiskey on a budget, this is the one you should go for. 

Best Bourbon Under $50  

If you’re looking to splash out a little more, but still not break the bank, look no further than a bottle of Woodford Reserve. Kentucky is the spiritual home of bourbon and Woodford Reserve has that spirit in abundance. Honey, butterscotch, and winter spice notes will pair perfectly with any mixer on this list and give you a perfectly balanced drink to kickstart your whiskey journey. 

Best Bourbon Under $100  

So you’re going all-in but don’t want to make a mistake? Relax and let me do the thinking for you. The Knob Creek 12 Year is one of the best bourbons at a two-digit price tag in 2023. The 12-year aging process brings the vanilla notes to the fore, giving you the perfect sweetness to compliment mixers such as cola and lemonade, or to really make that manhattan pack a punch!