We love Jack Daniels by itself, in highballs, and in cocktails. It's a super versatile spirit. So, if you're wondering how to drink Jack Daniels whiskey, we're happy to report you have plenty of options.
It's a great addition to cocktails, it tastes great straight or on the rocks, and it's delightful with mixers. Whether you're looking for a classic Jack Daniels drink or want to try something original (or even mix up your own version of a Jack Daniels cocktail), it's the perfect spirit to give your drinks a little kick.
1. Lynchburg Lemonade
We'll start with the classic — the ultimate Jack Daniels cocktail. It's named for Lynchburg, Tennessee, the home of the Jack Daniels distillery, and we know you're going to love it.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 1 ounce Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey
- Ice
- 4 ounces lemon-lime soda
- Lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the lemon juice, simple syrup, Jack Daniels, and ice. Shake to chill.
- Strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with the lemon-lime soda and stir.
- Garnish with lemon slices.
2. Jack Daniels Ginger Basil Julep
Everyone has heard of the mint julep, a classic drink made from whiskey or bourbon. Since Jack Daniels is whiskey, you can use it in the classic — we love using Gentleman Jack in a julep. Or, you can add a fun and tasty twist with this biting ginger-basil julep. To add lots of ginger flavor, make a basic simple syrup recipe, but add three one-inch pieces of peeled ginger root. Allow it to steep for 30 minutes and strain out the ginger before using.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce ginger simple syrup
- 8 basil leaves, plus additional for garnish
- 2 ounces Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey or Gentleman Jack
- Finely crushed ice
Instructions
- In a highball glass or julep cup, muddle the basil and ginger simple syrup.
- Add the whiskey and ice. Pack in as much finely crushed ice as you can. Stir to mix.
- Serve garnished with sprigs of basil.
3. Tropical Captain Jack
When Captain Jack sailed the tropical seas, he discovered that adding a little coconut cream to his whiskey made it really tasty. Or at least that's how this drink will taste. With a lovely balance of bitters, lime juice, coconut, and whiskey, you'll want to sail the high seas after drinking it. It's the perfect balance of sweet, sour, bitter, and boozy.
Ingredients
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 dashes of cardamom bitters
- 1½ ounces Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey
- 1 ounce cream of coconut
- Ice
- Lime slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the lime juice, bitters, whiskey, cream of coconut, and ice. Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a slice of lime or a grating of lime zest.
4. Salty Jack
Feeling salty? We have the perfect Jack Daniels-flavored solution. With the sourness of grapefruit, a dash of grenadine for sweetness, a salty rim, and a tasty dose of Jack Daniels, this cocktail is a joy for your tastebuds.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons coarse salt
- 2 orange slices
- ¾ ounces of grapefruit juice
- ¾ ounce grenadine
- 1½ ounces Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey
- Ice
Instructions
- Spread the salt in a thin layer on a plate.
- Run one of the orange slices around the outside rim of a rocks glass to wet the rim. Roll the rim of the glass through the salt to coat it.
- In a cocktail shaker, squeeze in the remainder of the slice of orange you used to rim the glass and toss the orange into the shaker. Add the grapefruit juice, grenadine, Jack Daniels, and ice. Shake to blend and chill.
- Strain into the prepared cocktail glass filled with ice. Garnish with the second orange slice.
5. Vermont Jack
There's a delicious symbiosis between maple and whiskey — the two go hand-in-hand. Combine these two flavors in a uniquely delicious cocktail that will remind you of Sunday morning pancakes with a kick.
Ingredients
- ¾ ounce pure maple syrup
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
- 3 dashes orange-flavored bitters
- 2 ounces Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey or Gentleman Jack
- 1 king cube or a few ice cubes
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the syrup, bitters, orange juice, and whiskey. Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over a king cube.
- Squeeze the orange peel, skin-side down, over the cocktail to release its citrus oils. Drop it into the cocktail for garnish.
6. Honey Jack Snakebite Shot
Want something sweet but with bite? Yeah — so do we. And this is a super easy two-ingredient shot with Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey and preserved lime juice.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce Rose's lime juice
- 2 ounces Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey
- Ice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the lime juice, whiskey, and ice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a shot glass.
7. Jack Daniels Tennessee Sour
We love a foamy whiskey sour finished with a fresh, aromatic grating of nutmeg and citrus zest. This is our Jack Daniels version.
Ingredients
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1½ ounces Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey
- 1 egg white
- Ice
- Finely grated lemon zest and nutmeg for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the lemon juice, simple syrup, bitters, whiskey, and egg white.
- Dry shake (no ice) for 30 seconds to foam the egg whites.
- Add the ice to the shaker and shake again to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with some grated lemon zest and freshly grated nutmeg.
To grate nutmeg (and lemon zest), use a rasp-style grater.
8. Jack Daniels Manhattan
Dress Jack up for a big night in the Big Apple by adding Gentleman Jack to a classic Manhattan.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Gentleman Jack
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- Ice
- Bourbon cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a cocktail or martini glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the Gentleman Jack, vermouth, bitters, and ice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass. Garnish with a bourbon cherry.
9. Tennessee Coffee
If you want a pick-me-up, then try this simple Tennessee coffee based on the traditional Irish coffee recipe.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounce Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 4 ounces freshly brewed coffee
- Whipped cream
Instructions
- In a coffee cup, combine the whiskey and simple syrup. Stir.
- Add the coffee and stir again. Spoon the whipped cream over the top.
10. Tennessee Fire and Ice
If you like your whiskey with some extra burn, then this is the drink for you! This easy cocktail uses Jack Daniels Tennessee Fire, a spicy cinnamon-flavored Jack.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounce Jack Daniels Tennessee Fire
- 3 ounces ginger ale
- Ice
- Lemon and/or lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a rocks glass, combine all the ingredients. Stir.
- Garnish with a lemon and/or lime wedge.
11. Sazerjack
Yup — Jack Daniels makes rye, too. And it adds the perfect spicy bite to a sazerac.
Ingredients
- ¼ ounce absinthe
- 2 ounces Jack Daniels rye
- 3-4 dashes Peychaud's bitters
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Lemon twist for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a rocks glass.
- Rinse the chilled glass with absinthe, discarding the rest.
- In a mixing glass, add ice, whiskey, bitters, and simple syrup.
- Stir to chill.
- Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lemon peel.
Classic Mixed Drinks to Make With Jack Daniels
You can always enjoy Jack Daniels with a splash of water, in an old-fashioned, or by itself neat or on the rocks. Gentleman Jack is especially delicious as a sipping whiskey. But Jack also plays well with others and would make a great whiskey in lots of drinks.
- Add it to popular whiskey drinks.
- Enjoy it in a four horseman drink, where Jack meets up with his friends Johnny Walker, Jim Beam, and Jose Cuervo for a manly cocktail.
- Allow Jack to add the kick to a hot toddy in place of the Scotch.
Jack Daniels Mixers
Want something simple and don't feel like busting out the cocktail shaker? If you're wondering what to mix with Jack Daniels, we've got your back. Use these mixers and a bit of ice to make a quick cocktail, or use Jack Daniels and mixers as a starting point for your own creations.
- A splash of water or soda water
- Lemon-lime soda
- Cola
- Ginger ale
- Coffee
- Apple cider (hot or chilled)
- Cranberry juice
- Sour mix (and water)
- Lemonade or limeade
- Apple juice
- Sweet tea
- Ginger beer
- Root beer
- Cream soda
The Perfect Gentleman for Every Occasion
Whether you enjoy Jack Daniels by itself or in any of these yummy Jack Daniels cocktail recipes, Jack is always the perfect gentleman — especially when you're looking for something with a kick.
