When you think of Rye Whiskey, you think of yourself a classy and upscale. There’s a certain upper-class feel to when you have a Rye Whiskey cocktail in your hand. When you’re in a high-end lounge bar and are enjoying your cocktail, you know you look cool. Adult. Refined. This isn’t the five-dollar beer you chugged when you first turned twenty-one and was able to go out to the bars. This is an adult’s drink and everyone knows it.
With the world still in pandemic-mode, not only is it advised to not go out – but many places are not allowing inside dining. Meaning you probably are staying at home right now – missing going to your favorite bartender to craft you the perfect drink. This doesn’t mean you can’t have a great Rye Whiskey cocktail at home. It also doesn’t mean you can safely host parties – you can and you can make some beverages for everyone to enjoy.
In this article, we will be exploring some of the best Rye Whiskey Drinks that you can make at home. We will even provide some recipes for you so that you can easily craft some Rye Whiskey Cocktails!
The Best Rye Whiskey Mixed Drinks
1) Ginger Ale Highball
Let’s start with a refreshing Rye Whiskey cocktail. The Ginger Ale Highball. Made with only ginger all and whiskey – it’s a simple drink that’s best when served over some ice. Looking for a simple, yet delicious beverage? Look no further than the Ginger Ale Highball. You can host a party and present this drink and make it seem that it is some fancy drink that took a lot of craft to make – when in reality it’s just pouring two drinks in one glass.
2) Summer Rye
The Summer Rye can be enjoyed all year round – don’t believe us? Just pour yourself a glass and you will want to have it no matter the season! The Summer Rye is made out of the following ingredients:
- Rye whiskey
- St-Germain elderflower liqueur
- Lemon
- Fresh apple juice
- Champagne
The way you make the Summer Rye is by mixing all of the ingredients (except for the Champagne) in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain through a strainer into a glass with fresh ice. Top the drink then with Champagne and garnish the cocktail with fresh, cut up apples.
3) Greenpoint
The Greenpoint is a variation of the Brooklyn that was first made in the famous New York Milk & Honey bar. For this variation of a classic, combine Rye Whiskey with Green Chartreuse, sweet vermouth, and two kinds of bitters. You then drop in a lemon peel. There you have it! The delicious Greenpoint is a full bodied experience that is the perfect cocktail to have after a long day of Zoom meetings and dealing with the kids. Make yourself one and enjoy your night.
4) Old Pal
Just as the name suggests, this Rye Whiskey drink will certainly become a favorite of yours. When we are exploring Rye Whiskey Mixed Drinks, it’s hard not to include the Old Pal. All you need is some Rye Whiskey, Dry Vermouth, and Campari and you are good to go! We really love cocktails that only have minimal ingredients so that it’s super easy to make at home. Here are the steps to follow in order to make the most delicious Old Pal you can:
- Mix all of the ingredients into a mixing glass and top it with cubed ice.
- Stir!
- Strain into a chilled couple glass.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
- Voila! You have a very delicious drink that will satisfy your Rye Whiskey cravings.
5) The Waldorf
If you are a fan of the Manhattan then you are going to be a fan of the Waldorf. This Rye Whiskey Cocktail is the perfect variation of the Manhattan, which is a very classic cocktail for Rye Whiskey lovers. As the name suggests, the cocktail originated in the Waldorf hotel in New York City. Along with Rye Whiskey, the Waldorf also includes sweet vermouth, bitters, and absinthe. This is definitely an interesting cocktail that you should try – feel transported to the greatest city in the world with one sip.
6) Old Fashioned
When it comes to classic Rye Whiskey cocktails – and there’s a lot of them – we would be remiss if we did not add the Old Fashioned on this list. This cocktail is as classic as it gets and is the perfect go-to drink to order in a bar that you are unfamiliar with. Just go with an Old Fashioned – you won’t be sorry that you do. While an Old Fashioned can be made with Bourbon, it is more commonly made with Rye Whiskey. An Old Fashioned is made by muddling sugar with bitters and water then adding Rye Whiskey and garnishing with an orange slice or zest. You can also top the drink with a cherry to really tie everything up with a bow.
7) Whiskey Sour
A Whiskey Sour is also a very classic drink and really enjoyable in both a bar setting and at home. For any family gathering, enjoy a Whiskey Sour at the end of the meal before wrapping everything up for the evening. A Whiskey Sour is made out of Rye Whiskey, lemon juice, sugar, and sometimes, a dash of egg yolk.
Who Doesn’t Love A Rye Whiskey Cocktail?
The answer is no one, as everyone enjoys a Rye Whiskey Cocktail. There have been a lot of options here that you can easily make at home. You can go to your local liquor store and ask your liquor attendant what Rye Whiskey is best for the cocktail that you are looking to make.
There are classic cocktails and new inventions being made all of the time. The most important thing to remember that it tastes delicious and however you make that happen will work for you. You can make a drink just for yourself or make them for your loved ones when the world becomes less hectic and people can finally gather together again. Remember, drink responsibly and next time you’re looking for a cocktail, go with a Rye Whiskey cocktail.
