They’re strong, boozy, and wonderfully warming. Try one of these rye whiskey cocktails when you need a night off from the usual boring beer.  Rich, deeply flavorful, and ideal for cold nights in, these drinks with rye whiskey are guaranteed to tantalize your tastebuds.  Mixologists around the globe have come up with some truly inventive concoctions you’ll love exploring.  So grab that shaker and get mixing!

17 Easy Rye Whiskey Cocktails to Beat the Winter Blues

1. Man O’ War Cocktail

This exquisite cocktail brings together rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, lemon juice, and orange liqueur. And boy, oh boy, it creates something pretty unique.  It has a blissful blend of sweet and tart flavors with a creaminess that pleasantly lingers on the tongue. Its vibrant scent will whisk you away while it tingles your taste buds. So if you’re feeling daring or adventurous, don’t miss out on this fantastic cocktail. 

2. Sparkling Honey Rye Whiskey Cocktail

If you’re looking to excite your palate with an experimental drink, this is the recipe for you.  Not too sweet, not too bitter, with a magical blend of spicy, fruity, and sweet notes, this drink has it all. It combines smooth malt and hints of peppercorn from rye whiskey with slightly tangy honey and fresh lemon juice.  The effervescence of sparkling wine finishes the flavor perfectly.

3. Classic Rye Manhattan

Rich notes of rye whiskey mingle with sweet vermouth in this stunning and traditional Manhattan. A splash of bitters adds a hint of bitterness that rounds out the flavors beautifully. Rye whiskey is a must for this classic cocktail. So give it a try!

4. Seriously Good Old-Fashioned

This cocktail stands apart from its peers with a unique flavor profile of sweet, bitter, herbal, and acidic notes. A dose of rye whiskey adds a smoky layer to the traditional sweetness from simple syrup, while Angostura and orange peels bolster the herbal and acidic notes.  All these flavors together create an earthly blend that works in harmony with each sip. 

5. Winter Rye Sour Cocktail

Sweet, tart fresh lemon juice mellowed by creamy buttered brown sugar syrup sounds more like a cake than a cocktail. But when you add the complex notes of Cynar, you know you’ve got a boozy drink with just a hint of herbal bitterness.  But that’s not all! You’ll also mix in allspice dram, which is loaded with dark rum flavors and heavenly spices. It makes the drink pop without overpowering the richness of rye whiskey.

6. Limoncello Rye Whiskey Sour

Between the rye whiskey, limoncello, lemon juice, and club soda, this cocktail is the perfect blend of warm, sweet, fresh, and sour. You’ll love the tart palate with a touch of fizz. Though you can leave the club soda out if you want it smooth. Either way, this is a must-make! But don’t take my word for it – try one and see for yourself. Just don’t blame me when you can’t resist mixing up another round.

7. Prescription Julep

This mixture of sweet mint, whiskey, and brandy is sure to buck up your spirits! The mint offers brisk refreshment, while the rye adds its smooth strength to the mix.  It’s like a gentle summer breeze paired with a rocky cliff ledge; that kind of perfect balance will keep you coming back for more.

8. The Greenpoint Cocktail

Between the rye whiskey, yellow Chartreuse, sweet vermouth, and bitters, this cocktail has a lot going on. The Greenpoint cocktail is pretty potent, but the yellow Chartreuse brings just the right amount of honeyed sweetness. It’s the kind of unforgettable drink you want to make for dinner parties. Everyone will love it!

9. Preakness

From the smoky whiskey to the aromatic punch of sweet vermouth, this drink is a journey for your tongue.  There’s a touch of tea-like cinnamon, stone fruit from the Benedictine, and herbal bitterness from Angostura bitters. I know it sounds like a lot, but it all comes together flawlessly.

10. Boulevardier

The Boulevardier is a delightful cocktail composed of three bold ingredients: rye whiskey for bite, Campari for bitterness, and sweet vermouth for balance.  Don’t let the intimidating list of components fool you, though! The subtle complexity is a breeze to recreate. And the mix is sure to make any fan of craft cocktails swoon. 

11. Red Hook Cocktail

Sweet vermouth, rye whiskey, and maraschino liqueur come together in this delightfully smooth yet surprisingly strong drink. The sweetness of the vermouth is balanced out by the bite of the rye whiskey, while the maraschino liqueur packs just enough punch to keep it interesting.

12. New York Sour Cocktail

A stunning blend of rye whiskey and red wine, with the citrusy goodness of lemon, every sip of this drink is a dream. Like its namesake, it over-delivers in both looks and taste.  This libation embodies it all, bringing together rich aromas and impeccable balance for an overall delectable experience. 

13. Sazerac Cocktail

If you’re on the hunt for a cocktail that’ll invigorate your taste buds, look no further than the iconic Sazerac. One small sip gives you an explosive flavor sensation that you won’t soon forget.  It’s robust yet smooth and has a delicious balance of sweet and bitter. If you’re someone who loves spicy drinks, then this is the one for you! 

14. Toronto

Sweet and strong, this gorgeous rye whiskey drink is a sophisticated flavor bomb.  You’ll notice an interesting contrast of wild herbal notes and sweetness that’s simply irresistible.  If you’re a fan of stiff drinks with a twist, be sure to try this cocktail as soon as possible – you won’t regret it!

15. Vieux Carre

The Vieux Carre is a lovely blend of spiritous flavors., including cognac, rye whiskey, and sweet vermouth. Together, they give you a unique, full-bodied flavor profile.  It’s aromatic and enticing and super simple to mix up.

16. Blinker Cocktail

Featuring tart, fruity raspberry syrup and gently bitter grapefruit juice, this one would be ideal for a spring or summer party. Even though you’ll add rye whiskey to build body and intensity, it’s still relatively light and well-balanced.  So why not be adventurous tonight and try out this complex blend of fruity-tart-woody goodness? I know you’ll love it!

17. Scofflaw

The name may be odd, but this sophisticated libation is bold and complex. It’s reminiscent of an old-fashioned – with a twist. The base is rye whiskey, which takes centerstage and carries tannic notes throughout the drink.  That’s balanced with grenadine to provide sweetness, making it a pleasure to sip. Lemon juice adds brightness, while dry vermouth contributes herbal aromatics. Finally, orange bitters bring the entire concoction together in perfect harmony. Click on a star to rate it!

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