Whiskey is one of the most versatile spirits you can pour — and one of the most forgiving to mix. Whether you want a simple two-ingredient serve or a proper cocktail, the right mixer can transform a rough pour into something genuinely enjoyable. This guide covers the 12 best whiskey mixers, from the obvious classics to a few combinations you might not have tried.
These are the mixers that have been paired with whiskey for decades. They work because they complement rather than compete with the spirit — softening the burn while letting the character of the whiskey come through.
The world's most popular whiskey mixer. The caramel sweetness of Coke rounds out bourbon's vanilla and oak notes. Best with: Jack Daniel's, Jim Beam, Maker's Mark. Serve over ice with a lime wedge.
Lighter and more refreshing than Coke. The ginger spice lifts Irish whiskey and blended Scotch without overpowering them. Best with: Jameson, Famous Grouse, Monkey Shoulder. The classic Irish pub serve.
Adds length and opens up the whiskey's aroma without adding any flavour. The Scotch purist's mixer of choice. Best with: any single malt or blended Scotch you want to appreciate rather than mask.
Not a mixer in the traditional sense, but adding a few drops of water to neat whiskey unlocks aroma compounds trapped by the alcohol. Essential for cask-strength expressions. No ice — room temperature water only.
Stronger and spicier than ginger ale, with more bite. Creates a bolder drink that works particularly well with rye whiskey or smoky Scotch. The base of a Kentucky Mule (bourbon's answer to the Moscow Mule).
These mixers have gained popularity in recent years. They work especially well for people who find traditional whiskey serves too strong or too sweet — and they are increasingly requested at events where guests want something different from the usual whiskey and Coke.
One of the best-kept secrets in whiskey mixing. Cloudy apple juice with bourbon creates a drink that tastes like autumn in a glass. The natural tartness balances the sweetness of the bourbon. Serve cold over ice — no garnish needed.
The foundation of the Hot Toddy (served warm) and the Gold Rush cocktail (served cold, shaken). Honey rounds out the whiskey's harshness while lemon adds brightness. Works with any whiskey style.
A Long Island staple reimagined as a simple two-ingredient drink. Unsweetened iced tea with bourbon or Tennessee whiskey creates a clean, sessionable serve. Add a lemon slice. Popular at outdoor and garden events.
Irish Coffee is the classic version — hot coffee, Irish whiskey, brown sugar, double cream floated on top. But cold brew with bourbon over ice is the modern take. The bitter coffee notes work against the sweet whiskey.
A lighter, fruitier option that works surprisingly well with bourbon. The tartness of the cranberry cuts through the sweetness and creates a drink with more complexity than you would expect.
Bourbon and lemonade is a Southern US classic that translates perfectly to British garden parties. Use proper cloudy lemonade (not Sprite). Best with: Maker's Mark, Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey.
The newest entry on this list. Coconut water with whiskey is light, slightly sweet, and hydrating. It has become popular at festival bars and summer events. Works best with lighter bourbons.
If you want to go beyond simple two-ingredient serves, these are the whiskey cocktails worth knowing. All of them can be made at home with basic equipment, and all of them are available at events served by our professional bartenders.
60ml bourbon, 1 sugar cube, 2 dashes Angostura bitters, orange peel
The original cocktail. Muddle the sugar and bitters, add whiskey and ice, stir for 30 seconds, garnish with an expressed orange peel. The drink that started modern cocktail culture.
50ml bourbon, 25ml lemon juice, 15ml sugar syrup, optional egg white
Shake hard with ice. The egg white creates a silky foam on top but is optional. Without the egg, it is a bright, tart, refreshing cocktail that works year-round. One of our most requested event serves.
50ml whiskey, 100-150ml soda water, ice
Japanese whisky culture elevated this simple serve to an art form. Use a tall glass, fill with ice, add whiskey, top with chilled soda water, stir once. Lighter and more refreshing than any other whiskey serve.
60ml bourbon, 15ml sugar syrup, 8-10 mint leaves, crushed ice
The official drink of the Kentucky Derby. Muddle mint and syrup gently, add bourbon and crushed ice, stir until the glass frosts. A stunning summer serve for garden parties.
| Whiskey Style | Best Mixers | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Bourbon | Coke, ginger ale, apple juice, lemonade | Tonic water |
| Tennessee | Coke, iced tea, lemonade | Soda water (too mild) |
| Irish | Ginger ale, coffee, honey-lemon | Coke (masks subtlety) |
| Blended Scotch | Soda water, ginger ale, water | Sweet juices |
| Single Malt | Water (drops), soda water | Anything sweet |
| Rye | Ginger beer, bitters, vermouth | Fruit juices |
These are guidelines, not rules. The best whiskey mixer is the one you enjoy drinking. But if you are choosing whiskey for an event and want to please the most guests, bourbon is the safest choice — it is sweet enough to mix with almost anything and approachable enough for people who do not normally drink whiskey.
Whiskey cocktails and serves are available at every event booked with The Sesh Bars. Our professional bartenders can make Old Fashioneds, Whiskey Sours, and all the classic whiskey-and-mixer serves to order. Whiskey is a reliable crowd-pleaser at birthday parties, corporate events, and wedding receptions.
For dry hire events where you supply your own drinks, stocking whiskey is one of the most cost-effective decisions you can make. A 70cl bottle of bourbon serves approximately 14 single measures, and paired with a multipack of Coke or ginger ale, each serve costs under £2. Check the full cost guide for budget planning.
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