17 Best Rye Whiskey Cocktails and Drinks

With a peppery bite and robust flavor, these rye whiskey cocktails are for serious whiskey lovers only.

They’re strong, boozy, and wonderfully warming.

Rye Whiskey Cocktails & Drink Recipes

Try one of these rye whiskey drinks when you need a night off from the usual boring beer. 

Because of all the different types of whiskey, I think rye is one of the best.

Rich, deeply flavorful, and ideal for cold nights in, these rye whiskey cocktail recipes are guaranteed to tantalize your tastebuds. 

So grab that shaker and get mixing!

1. Brooklyn Cocktail Recipe

As you might’ve guessed, the Brooklyn cocktail is kind of a spin on the classic Manhattan.

They’re both rye whiskey recipes with Vermouth and a few dashes of bitters.

But where the New York City fave uses sweet Vermouth, the Brooklyn borough namesake calls for dry.

That said, it also features maraschino liqueur, so there’s still plenty of sweetness!

Ingredients: bourbon or rye whiskey, dry Vermouth, maraschino liqueur, Amaro or Angostura bitters, ice, Luxardo cherry (for garnish)

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 rye cocktail has it all.

It combines smooth malt and hints of peppercorn, plus a slightly tangy sweetness from the honey and fresh lemon juice. 

The effervescence of sparkling wine finishes the flavor perfectly.

Ingredients: rye whiskey, honey, lemon juice, sparkling wine or Prosecco

3. Classic Rye Manhattan

Rich notes of rye whiskey mingle with sweet Vermouth in this stunning and traditional Manhattan.

Yes, it looks just like the Brooklyn. And yes, both are delicious.

But this is the OG rye cocktail and a must-try for rye whiskey lovers.

Ingredients: rye whiskey, sweet Vermouth, Angostura bitters

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 turns this lightly sweet cocktail into a fun smoky drink you’ll go gaga for.

Meanwhile, the bitters and orange peels bolster the herbal and acidic notes, making it an Old Fashioned to remember. 

Ingredients: simple syrup, bitters, bourbon or rye whiskey, orange peel & maraschino cherries (for garnish)

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.

Ingredients: rye whiskey, lemon juice, buttered brown sugar syrup, Cynar, allspice dram, Angostura bitters, egg white, ice

6. Limoncello Rye Whiskey Sour

This Limoncello cocktail with rye, lemon juice, and club soda 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.

And for something a little lighter, try using vodka instead of whiskey. Or, if you want it bolder, use scotch!

Ingredients: rye whiskey, Limoncello, lemon juice, ice, club soda

7. Prescription Julep

The name may sound odd, but this brandy cocktail has such a delightful mix of sweet and boozy.

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.

Ingredients: Cognac, rye whiskey, sugar, fresh mint

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. Serve it neat with a simple orange peel.

Ingredients: rye whiskey, yellow Chartreuse, sweet Vermouth, orange bitters, Angostura bitters, orange twist (for garnish)

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 and stone fruit from the Benedictine and herbal bitterness from Angostura bitters.

I know it sounds like a lot, but it all comes together flawlessly in a martini glass.

Ingredients: rye whiskey, sweet Vermouth, Benedictine, Angostura bitters

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. Serve the Boulevardier in a rocks glass and enjoy.

Ingredients: rye whiskey, Campari, sweet Vermouth, ice, lemon twist (for garnish)

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.

Serve it neat in your favorite martini glass and sip slowly. This one sneaks up on you!

Ingredients: rye whiskey, sweet Vermouth, maraschino liqueur, cocktail cherries & lemon peel (for garnish)

12. New York City Sour Cocktail

A stunning blend of rye whiskey and red wine, with the citrusy goodness of lemon, every sip of this whiskey sour is a dream.

Like its namesake, the New York City Sour over-delivers in both looks and taste. 

This libation embodies it all, bringing together rich aromas and impeccable balance for an overall delectable experience. 

Ingredients: rye whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white, red wine

13. Sazerac Cocktail

If you’re on the hunt for a cocktail that’ll invigorate your taste buds, look no further than this iconic New Orleans cocktail.

One small sip gives you an explosive flavor sensation that you won’t soon forget. 

The Sazerac is 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! 

Ingredients: sugar, Peychaud’s Bitters, rye whiskey, Herbsaint or Absinthe, lemon peel (for garnish)

14. Toronto

From Brooklyn and New York City to Toronto, this sweet and strong 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!

Ingredients: rye whiskey, Fernet Branca, simple syrup or maple syrup, Angostura bitters, ice, orange peel (for garnish)

15. Vieux Carre Cocktail

Here’s another iconic New Orleans drink I know you’ll love.

The Vieux Carre cocktail 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 and serve on the rocks.

Ingredients: Cognac or brandy, rye whiskey, sweet Vermouth, Benedictine, Peychaud’s bitters, Angostura bitters, ice, lemon peel (for garnish)

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. 

Though, you could always use vodka, gin, or rum if you prefer! Oh, and a splash of Prosecco wouldn’t hurt, either.

Ingredients: rye whiskey, grapefruit juice, raspberry syrup

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.

Ingredients: rye whiskey, dry Vermouth, lemon juice, Grenadine, orange bitters, lemon peel (for garnish)