25 First-Rate Father's Day Cocktails

When the third Sunday in June rolls around, and you have inevitably ignored every sign or flyer about Father's Day, why not skip the store and give your dad something he might actually want: some quality time. And if he's not after quality time, then he's after some quiet time. Either way, you can get things going with some Father's Day cocktails.

A New Manhattan

Keep the familiar Manhattan flavors but add a little extra spark for a unique Father's Day cocktail.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces whiskey
• 1 ounce sweet vermouth
• 3 dashes black walnut bitters
• 2 dashes molasses bitters
• Ice
• Cocktail cherry for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a mixing glass, add ice, whiskey, sweet vermouth, black walnut bitters, and molasses bitters.
3. Stir rapidly to chill.
4. Strain into chilled glass.
5. Garnish with cocktail cherry.

Orange Old-Fashioned

Add a little extra orange flair to this old-fashioned, consider carefully carving out a design for a unique orange peel garnish.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces bourbon
• ½ ounce simple syrup
• ¼ ounce orange liqueur
• 3 dashes orange bitters
• 4-5 dashes aromatic bitters
• Ice
• Orange peels for garnish

Instructions

1. In a mixing glass add ice, whiskey, simple syrup, orange liqueur, and bitters.
2. Stir rapidly to chill.
3. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice or king cube.
4. Express one orange peel over the drink by twisting the peel between your fingers, then run outside of peel along rim.
5. Garnish with second orange peel.

Whiskey Sour

An elegant whiskey sour speaks volumes when made with love or at least a little effort.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces whiskey
• ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ½ ounce simple syrup
• Egg white
• Ice
• Lemon peel for garnish

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, add whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white.
2. Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
3. Add ice to shaker.
4. Shake to chill.
5. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
6. Garnish with lemon peel.

Tuxedo No. 2

If your father is the dashing type or relishes the occasion to get dressed up, this cocktail is the way to his heart.

Ingredients

• ¼ ounce absinthe
• 2 ounces gin
• ½ ounce blanc vermouth
• ¼ ounce maraschino liqueur
• 2-3 dashes orange bitters
• Ice
• Orange twist and cherry for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In chilled glass, rinse absinthe, discarding extra.
3. In a mixing glass, add ice, gin, blanc vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and bitters.
4. Stir rapidly to chill.
5. Strain into prepared glass.
6. Garnish with orange twist and cherry.

Corpse Reviver No. 2

Whether dad had a rough night last night or not, the corpse reviver cocktail is one way to his heart on Father's Day.

Ingredients

• ¼ ounce absinthe
• ¾ ounce gin
• ¾ ounce Lillet blanc
• ¾ ounce orange liqueur
• ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Ice
• Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In chilled glass, rinse absinthe, discarding extra.
3. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, Lillet blanc, orange liqueur, and lemon juice.
4. Shake to chill.
5. Strain into prepared glass.
6. Garnish with lemon twist.

Cosmopolitan

The cocktail that's a secret guilty pleasure- don't be fooled, take a note from your dad's book and realize this cocktail is mostly booze.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces citron vodka
• ¾ ounce orange liqueur
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• ½ ounce cranberry juice
• Ice
• Lime ribbon for garnish, optional

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, citron vodka, orange liqueur, lime juice, and cranberry juice.
3. Shake to chill.
4. Strain into chilled glass.
5. Garnish with lime ribbon, if desired.

Bloody Maria

Surprise your dad with the familiar flavors of a Bloody Mary, only with the smokey flavors of mezcal and a few extra surprises.

Ingredients

• Lime wedge and Bloody Mary rim salt
• 2 ounces mezcal
• 4 ounces tomato juice
• ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ½ ounce pickle juice
• ¼ ounce hot sauce
• ¼ ounce horseradish
• 2 dashes Worcestershire
• 2 dashes onion salt and black pepper
• Ice
• Lime wedge, olive, and green bean for garnish

Instructions

1. To prepare rim, rub the rim of the glass with the lemon wedge.
2. With the rim salt on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the salt to coat.
3. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, mezcal, tomato juice, lemon juice, pickle juice, hot sauce, horseradish, Worcestershire, and seasoning.
4. Shake to chill.
5. Strain into prepared glass.
6. Garnish with lime wedge, green bean, and olive.

Whiskey Smash

Impress your dad with your muddling skills with this tasty whiskey smash.

Ingredients

• 2-4 lemon wedges
• 2½ ounces bourbon
• ¾ ounce simple syrup
• 3-5 fresh mint leaves
• Crushed ice
• Mint sprig and lemon wedge for garnish

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle lemon wedges.
2. Add crushed ice, bourbon, simple syrup, and mint leaves.
3. Shake to chill.
4. Do not strain, pour into rocks glass.
5. Garnish with mint sprig and lemon wedge.

Espresso Martini

Surprise your dad with a bourbon-based espresso martini, and its smooth base adds a refreshing spin.

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces bourbon
• ¾ ounce coffee liqueur
• ¾ ounce chilled coffee
• ½ ounce hazelnut liqueur
• 2 dashes toasted almond bitters
• Ice
• Whole coffee beans for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, bourbon, coffee liqueur, chilled coffee, hazelnut liqueur, and toasted almond bitters.
3. Shake to chill.
4. Strain into chilled glass.
5. Garnish with whole coffee beans.

Sazerac

Let your dad relive his trip to the Big Easy with a homemade Sazerac; who knows, maybe you'll hear some new stories this time around.

Ingredients

• ¼ ounce absinthe rinse
• 2 ounces rye whiskey
• 3-4 dashes Peychaud's bitters
• ½ ounce simple syrup
• Ice
• Lemon ribbon for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a rocks glass.
2. Rinse chilled glass with absinthe, discarding the rest.
3. In a second rocks glass, add ice, whiskey, bitters, and simple syrup.
4. Strain into prepared glass over fresh ice.
5. Garnish with lemon ribbon.

Oaxaca Old-Fashioned

The old-fashioned for the dad who knows that reposado tequila is an outstanding spirit.

Ingredients

• 1¾ ounces reposado
• ½ ounce mezcal
• ¼ ounce agave
• 2-3 dashes aromatic bitters
• 2 dashes orange bitters
• Ice
• Orange wedge and cocktail cherry for garnish

Instructions

1. In a mixing glass, add ice, reposado, mezcal, agave, aromatic bitters, and orange bitters.
2. Stir rapidly to chill.
3. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice or king cube.
4. Garnish with orange wedge and cocktail cherry.

Cucumber Basil Highball

Give your gin-loving dad the refreshing gin highball of his dreams.

Ingredients

• 2-3 cucumber slices
• 1-2 fresh basil leaves
• 2 ounces gin, preferably botanical or cucumber forward
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• Ice
• Tonic water to top off
• Cucumber ribbon for garnish

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle cucumber slices with a splash of lime juice.
2. Add ice, basil leaves, gin, and remaining lime juice.
3. Shake to chill.
4. Strain into highball or collins glass over fresh ice.
5. Top off with tonic water.
6. Garnish with cucumber ribbon.

Americano

The cocktail for the dad who wants a bitter liqueur flavor without the buzz of a Negroni.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Campari
• ¾ ounce sweet vermouth
• Ice
• Club soda to top off
• Orange slice for garnish

Instructions

1. In a highball or collins glass, add ice, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
2. Top off with club soda.
3. Stir to mix.
4. Garnish with orange slice.

Boulevardier

A smooth bourbon cocktail that skips the sweeter flavors you would find in an old-fashioned.

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces bourbon
• 1 ounce Campari
• 1 ounce sweet vermouth
• Ice
• Orange peel for garnish

Instructions

1. In a mixing glass, add ice, bourbon, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
2. Stir rapidly to chill.
3. Strain into rocks glass.
4. Garnish with orange peel.

Godfather

The perfect scotch cocktail for the dad who is up to date on his pop culture or a chance to rewatch a classic.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces scotch
• ½ ounce almond liqueur
• Ice
• Dehydrated orange wheel for garnish

Instructions

1. In a mixing glass, add ice, scotch, and almond liqueur.
2. Stir rapidly to chill.
3. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
4. Garnish with dehydrated orange wheel.

Negroni

Nothing beats a classic negroni. Watch as your dad's face lights up with that first sip.

Ingredients

• 1 ounce gin
• 1 ounce Campari
• 1 ounce sweet vermouth
• Ice
• Orange peel for garnish

Instructions

1. In a mixing glass, add ice, gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
2. Stir rapidly to chill.
3. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
4. Garnish with orange peel.

Soda Can Cocktail

Surprise your dad with a ready-made cocktail in a soda can. This pairs best with lawn games.

Ingredients

• 1 can soda pop, such as cola, root beer, or flavored soda
• 1½ ounces vodka, bourbon, or rum

Instructions

1. In a glass, pour out approximately two and a half ounces of soda.
2. In soda can, add vodka.
3. Swirl to mix.

Gibson

Put that jar of cocktail onions to good use by stirring up a Gibson or two. If your dad prefers his martini bone dry, rinse the glass with a splash of dry vermouth, then discard the extra.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces vodka or gin
• ½ ounce dry vermouth
• Ice
• Cocktail onions for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a mixing glass, add ice, vodka, and dry vermouth.
3. Stir rapidly to chill.
4. Strain into chilled glass.
5. Garnish with cocktail onions.

Papa Doble

Sometimes known as the Hemingway Daiquiri, treat your dad to a little mental vacation. Maybe toss a Hemingway book his way, too.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces white rum
• ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
• ½ ounce maraschino liqueur
• Ice
• Dehydrated lime wheel for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, rum, lime juice, grapefruit juice, and maraschino liqueur.
3. Shake to chill.
4. Strain into chilled glass.
5. Garnish with dehydrated lime wheel.

Spicy Margarita

Is dad a fan of spicy cocktails? Then a spicy margarita for a dad that knows how and when to bring the heat.

Ingredients

• Lime wedge and tajin for rim
• 2-3 jalapeño coins
• 2 ounces tequila
• ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• ¾ ounce orange liqueur
• ½ ounce agave
• Ice
• Lime wedge and jalapeño coin for garnish

Instructions

1. To prepare rim, rub the rim of the glass with the lime wedge.
2. With the tajin on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the tajin to coat.
3. In a cocktail shaker, muddle jalapeño coins with a splash of agave.
4. Add ice, tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, and remaining agave.
5. Shake to chill.
6. Strain into prepared glass.
7. Garnish with lime wedge and jalapeño coin.

Gimlet

Surprise your dad with his favorite gimlet, as you can use vodka or gin; hopefully, you've been paying attention to his drink orders.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces gin or vodka
• ½ ounce simple syrup
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• Ice
• Lime peel

Instructions

1. In a rocks glass, add gin, simple syrup, and lime juice.
2. Shake to chill.
3. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
4. Garnish with lime peel.

Old Pal

Why not make one of your oldest pals a classic old pal cocktail?

Ingredients

• 1 ounce rye
• 1 ounce dry vermouth
• 1 ounce Campari
• Ice
• Lemon peel for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a mixing glass, add ice, rye, dry vermouth, and Campari.
3. Stir rapidly to chill.
4. Strain into chilled glass.
5. Garnish with lemon peel.

Ramos Gin Fizz

Demonstrate your commitment skills by shaking up this laborious cocktail for your gin-loving dad.

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces gin
• ¾ ounce heavy cream
• ½ ounce simple syrup
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• Egg white
• 2-3 dashes orange flower water
• Ice
• Club soda to top off

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, add gin, heavy cream, simple syrup, lemon juice, lime juice, egg white, and orange water.
2. Shake vigorously for approximately one minute.
3. Add ice.
4. Shake vigorously to chill.
5. Do not add ice, strain into highball glass.
6. Slowly top off with club soda.

Coffee White Russian

Start your dad's day off on the right foot with this coffee-forward white Russian.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces vanilla vodka
• 2 ounces chilled coffee
• 2 ounces coffee liqueur
• 1 ounce heavy cream or milk
• Ice

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla vodka, chilled coffee, coffee liqueur, and heavy cream.
2. Shake to chill.
3. Strain into highball or collins glass over fresh ice.

Whiskey Ginger

If you're stumped about what your dad would want for a cocktail, sometimes the easiest way is the best way.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces whiskey
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• ¼ ounce ginger liqueur
• Ice
• Ginger ale to top off
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, whiskey, lime juice, and ginger liqueur.
2. Shake to chill.
3. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
4. Top off with ginger ale.
5. Garnish with lime wedge.

Father's Day Cocktails That Celebrate Dad

It doesn't matter if your dad loves gin, vodka, bourbon, or scotch; there's a great lineup of drinks for any cocktail-loving dad. And it's never too early to start practicing your Father's Day cocktails.