Iowa Legendary Rye: 66 Rye Whiskey Cocktails

Rye Whiskey Cocktails and Mixed Drinks History

Long before the bourbon boom, rye whiskey was America’s spirit. Rye was what George Washington himself distilled at Mount Vernon Estate, and if it weren’t for The Prohibition Era when bootlegged Canada whisky took the place of rye, Americans may have never lost their drive for this spicy and bold spirit.

Today, Americans’ palate for rye whiskey which must be made from at least 51% rye grain is restored. Market & Sales volumes reported gains by more than 1,000% between 2009 and 2018, according to the Distilled Spirits Council. In 2018, 1.1 million cases of rye were sold. (townandcountrymag.com)

In this article, I’m going to teach you a little about rye whiskey cocktails. Some of there roots, and a lot about what to mix it with to produce some of the most fabulous classical cocktails to date.

Cocktail Recipes and Rye Whiskey

So if you have got a bottle of rye and are wondering how to use it? Here are we are going to educate your palette with some of our favorite rye cocktails, including both simple and the classics, like the Old Fashioned and the Manhattan, with less common ingredients, like simple syrup, maraschino liqueur, or even lemon juice.

The New York Brooklyn Cocktail

This Manhattan signature drink variation keeps the 2:1 ratio of rye and vermouth, but swaps sweet vermouth for dry and compensates with a little maraschino liqueur and Amer Picon, a French aperitif in your cocktail glass. (seriouseats.com)

Brooklyn A Manhattan variation, this cocktail calls on the bitter orange spirit called amer picon, as well as maraschino liqueur, to lend added depth to this fabulous recipe.

Cocktails with a whiskey sour approach work great with rye

Whiskey Drinks with rye have been around for centuries, The Boston Sour for example. There is a lot of debate when it comes to the classic cocktail how to make and serve whiskey sours, but it’s widely accepted that with the namesake cocktail a whiskey sour with egg white and served up, is a classic and it’s called a Boston Sour. (bonappetit.com)

Sticking with a more traditional approach

Chris Powell Brand Ambassador with Iowa Legendary Rye says, If you’re more of a cocktail person, classics like the Manhattan, Boulevardier, Whiskey Sour, and Sazerac is your calling for a more traditional approach. Too using an “all natural rye whiskey” like Iowa Legendary Rye. Which, will bring out that smooth taste; that only rye can bring.

Now Vieux Carré New Orleans drinking culture wouldn’t be what it is without a few of these classic drinks that this city is known for, including the Ramos Gin Fizz, the Sazerac, and, of course, the Vieux Carré. (foodandwine.com)

Defining your cocktail for your nightcap

Sipping a strong cocktail like the whiskey neat or with an ice cube on the rocks is an always option, especially if you like the peppery flavor for which rye is known. If you’re more of a cocktail person, classics like the Manhattan, The Old Fashioned Cocktail, Boulevardier, Vieux Carré, and Sazerac all call for rye whiskey. It can fit into a Whiskey Daisey recipe, too, depending on the imbiber’s preference for a sweeter version (made with bourbon) or a spicier variety, with captivating alluring spice notes (that only rye) can provide.

You can use many types of bar mixing glass but in regard to the glasses for serving this cocktail. However, I do *not* recommend using champagne flutes or martini glasses. Unless you have small ice cubes, there will not be enough room for your most, if not, all of your drink.

Collins glasses and rocks glasses are my favorites go-to glasses for this drink. Just enough room for ice cubes and your spirits!

Below are 66 of the best rye whiskey cocktails to date so gather your Lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice, sparkling wine, orange liquors, or Angostura Bitters and let us begin to construct one of your favorite cocktail recipes for today tomorrow and the next day enjoy and as always drink responsively.