The 13 Most Underrated Whiskey Cocktail Recipes

Here are the full recipes and histories of the 13 whiskey cocktails – The Whiskey Smash, The Blood and Sand, The Scofflaw, The Morning Glory Fizz, The Greenpoint Cocktail, The Expat, The Sazerac, The Algonquin, The Whiskey Sour, The Paper Plane, The Adderly, The Midnight Lullaby, and The Gold Rush (in the order listed). These, according to Vinepair’s website article “We Asked 14 Bartenders: What’s the Most Underrated Whiskey Cocktail?” (2023) See link:
https://vinepair.com/articles/wa-underrated-whiskey-cocktail-2023/

1. The Whiskey Smash

Recipe:
2 oz whiskey (bourbon or rye)
¾ oz simple syrup
4-6 fresh mint leaves
2-3 lemon wedges

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, muddle the lemon wedges and mint with simple syrup.
2. Add whiskey and fill the shaker with ice.
3. Shake vigorously and strain into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice.
4. Garnish with a mint sprig.

History:
First appearing in Jerry Thomas’s 1862 book “How to Mix Drinks,” the Whiskey Smash is essentially a simplified, citrus-forward Julep. It’s been called a “Julep for the people” due to its ease of preparation. The cocktail regained popularity in the late 20th century as bartenders revived classic recipes.

2. The Blood and Sand

Recipe:
¾ oz Scotch whisky
¾ oz orange juice
¾ oz sweet vermouth
¾ oz Cherry Heering

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a chilled coupe glass.
3. Garnish with an orange peel or cherry.

History:
Named after the 1922 silent film Blood and Sand starring Rudolph Valentino, this cocktail first appeared in The Savoy Cocktail Book (1930). It remains one of the few Scotch-based classics.

3. The Scofflaw

Recipe:
1½ oz rye whiskey
1 oz dry vermouth
¾ oz fresh lemon juice
½ oz grenadine
2 dashes orange bitters

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake and strain into a chilled coupe glass.
3. Garnish with a lemon twist.

History:
Created during Prohibition (1920-1933), the Scofflaw’s name mocks those who flouted the law to enjoy alcohol. It was first published in Harry McElhone’s Barflies and Cocktails (1924).

4. The Morning Glory Fizz

Recipe:
2 oz Scotch whisky
½ oz absinthe
½ oz simple syrup
½ oz fresh lemon juice
½ oz fresh lime juice
1 egg white
Soda water

Instructions:

1. Dry shake all ingredients except soda water to emulsify the egg white.
2. Add ice and shake again.
3. Strain into a chilled fizz or Collins glass.
4. Top with soda water and garnish with a lemon wheel.

History:
Appearing in Harry Johnson’s Bartenders’ Manual (1882), this drink was considered a morning “pick-me-up” during the 19th century. Its combination of Scotch and absinthe sets it apart from typical fizzes.

5. The Greenpoint Cocktail

Recipe:
2 oz rye whiskey
½ oz sweet vermouth
½ oz yellow Chartreuse
1 dash Angostura bitters
1 dash orange bitters

Instructions:

1. Stir all ingredients with ice.
2. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
3. Garnish with a lemon twist.

History:
Named after Brooklyn’s Greenpoint neighborhood, this modern classic originated at NYC’s Milk & Honey in the early 2000s. It’s a riff on the Manhattan with herbal depth from yellow Chartreuse.

6. The Expat

Recipe:
1½ oz bourbon
¾ oz Aperol
½ oz Amaro Nonino
½ oz fresh lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Shake all ingredients with ice.
2. Strain into a coupe glass.
3. Garnish with a lemon twist.

History:
A modern creation, the Expat is a well-balanced cocktail showcasing the synergy of bourbon’s warmth, Aperol’s bitterness, and Amaro Nonino’s complexity. Its origins trace to contemporary craft cocktail bars.

7. The Sazerac

Recipe:
2 oz rye whiskey
1 sugar cube
2-3 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
Absinthe rinse


Instructions:

1. Rinse a chilled rocks glass with absinthe and discard excess.
2. Muddle the sugar cube and bitters in a mixing glass.
3. Add rye whiskey and ice; stir well.
4. Strain into the prepared glass.
5. Garnish with a lemon peel.

History:
The Sazerac is believed to be America’s first cocktail, created in New Orleans in the 1830s. Originally made with brandy, it shifted to rye whiskey in the late 19th century.

8. The Algonquin

Recipe:
1½ oz rye whiskey
¾ oz dry vermouth
¾ oz pineapple juice

Instructions:

1. Shake all ingredients with ice.
2. Strain into a coupe glass.

History:
Named after NYC’s Algonquin Hotel, home of the famed Round Table group of writers and wits, this Prohibition-era cocktail combines rye’s spice with tropical pineapple.

9. The Whiskey Sour

Recipe:
2 oz bourbon
¾ oz fresh lemon juice
½ oz simple syrup
1 egg white (optional)

Instructions:

1. Dry shake all ingredients to emulsify the egg white (if using).
2. Add ice and shake again.
3. Strain into a rocks glass with ice or serve straight up.
4. Garnish with a cherry and orange slice.

History:
Dating back to the 1860s, the Whiskey Sour first appeared in The Bartenders Guide by Jerry Thomas. Its simplicity and balance have ensured its lasting popularity.

10. The Paper Plane

Recipe:
¾ oz bourbon
¾ oz Aperol
¾ oz Amaro Nonino
¾ oz fresh lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Shake all ingredients with ice.
2. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.



History:
Created by Sam Ross in 2007, the Paper Plane is a modern classic inspired by the M.I.A. song “Paper Planes.” It debuted at NYC’s Milk & Honey.

11. The Adderly

The Adderly cocktail is a lesser-known classic that combines robust and citrusy flavors. Its recipe includes: 2 ounces of rye whiskey,
¾ ounce of maraschino liqueur,
¾ ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice, and 
2 dashes of orange bitters.

Shake these ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass, garnished with a flamed orange twist.

This cocktail balances the whiskey’s spice with the sweet and tart notes of maraschino and lemon​ – See links: cocktailvirgin.blogspot and thedrinkguy. The drink appears in modern mixology discussions but lacks a clearly documented origin story. It may have been crafted to showcase the harmonious interplay of rye whiskey and maraschino liqueur during the cocktail renaissance​. See link: thedrinkguy.

12. The Midnight Lullaby

The Midnight Lullaby cocktail has no universally established recipe, but two prominent variations are worth noting. Both embody rich, soothing flavors with a hint of elegance:

1. Midnight Lullaby with Chamomile and Cognac:

This recipe emphasizes relaxation with chamomile-infused flavors. Typically, it involves:

• Chamomile tea or syrup as the base for its calming qualities.
• Cognac, which provides a smooth and warm backdrop.
• Additional accents like lemon juice or honey to balance sweetness and acidity.

2. Midnight Lullaby with Coffee and Cream:

This variation centers on richness:

• A base of coffee liqueur, such as Kahlúa, or brewed espresso.
• Cream or a similar dairy element for a luscious texture.
• Optional touches like a sprinkle of nutmeg or vanilla syrup for added depth.

Historical Context:

The Midnight Lullaby is not a widely documented classic, suggesting it may be a modern invention popularized by creative mixologists or as a bespoke drink in cocktail bars. The name likely refers to its soothing, nightcap-like qualities, designed to relax and comfort. The inclusion of chamomile or coffee ingredients in different recipes reflects its flexibility to suit various palates. For further details on these recipes or their origins, explore sources like Liquor.com and The Shaken Cocktail (See links: ​dailydishrecipes and theshakencocktail.

13. The Gold Rush

Recipe:
2 oz bourbon
¾ oz honey syrup (1:1 honey and water)
¾ oz fresh lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Shake all ingredients with ice.
2. Strain into a rocks glass with ice.

History:
Created at NYC’s Milk & Honey in the early 2000s, this modern classic is a Whiskey Sour variation that showcases honey’s warmth and depth.