Bourbon Whiskey Tonic Cocktail Recipe

Refreshing fusion of flavors – Fusing elements of both the classic whiskey sour and gin and tonic cocktails, you’re left with flavors that are both familiar yet new to your taste buds.

Customizable – If you love whiskey, but bourbon isn’t your favorite style, you can definitely change it up. The same goes for adjusting the ratios to suit your taste. 

Adaptable to the occasion – This is a great drink for warmer days in the Spring and Summer but definitely can be a part of a holiday celebration, an at-home happy hour, and so much more! 

Bourbon – Choose your favorite bourbon whiskey. I went with one of my favorite local brands (Cannon Distillery in Charleston), which tends to be where my favorite whiskeys come from. 

Lemon juice – Make sure it’s fresh lemon juice! Bottled lemon juice does not taste as great in cocktails, especially in drinks that don’t have many other ingredients like this one. You can also try some lime juice if you prefer. 

Tonic water – Go for high-quality tonic water. Fever Tree and Q Mixers are great, and I enjoy making my own tonic water by making soda water with my SodaStream and adding some Jack Rudy tonic syrup. Generally, avoid the tonic water that comes in big plastic bottles for the best flavor.

Garnish – It makes sense to go with a lemon wedge or twist, but a good quality cocktail cherry would be nice too. 

Step 1: Add the whiskey and lemon juice to the cocktail shaker. 

Step 2: Add ice cubes and shake until well chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass filled with ice.

Step 3: Top with tonic water, give it a gentle stir with a bar spoon, and garnish with a lemon twist. 

Chill your glass in advance by popping it in the freezer for a few minutes for an extra crisp and refreshing drink.

Add some bitters for complexity. Classic aromatic or orange bitters would be excellent options. Cherry bitters would also be a nice choice.

Add more citrus flavors by adding a bit of triple sec (my preferred brand is Cointreau) to the glass.

For a sweeter drink, add some simple syrup or a splash of orange juice. 

What is the best type of whiskey to use?

The best type of whiskey for a Whiskey Tonic really depends on your personal preference. Obviously, I chose bourbon which I think complements the tonic and lemon very well. You can try your hand at swapping in some rye, which is a spicy whiskey. Bottom line – you do you!

What’s the difference between bourbon and whiskey?

All bourbon is whiskey but not all whiskey is bourbon. Bourbon is made from at least 51% corn and aged in oak barrels, and in order to be considered a bourbon, it must be produced in the United States. Whiskey, however, can be made anywhere and comes in many varieties, including rye, Scotch, or Irish whiskey.

What are good mixers for whiskey in general?

Beyond tonic water, whiskey pairs well with a variety of other mixers. A few other whiskey cocktails that are worth trying include my Blackberry or Peach Whiskey Smash cocktails. Champagne even can go with whiskey as you can see in my French 95. Lemonade, apple cider, ginger ale, or cream soda are some of my other favorite mixers.