You don’t need a fully stocked bar or mixologist skills to enjoy great bourbon cocktails; sometimes, two ingredients are all it takes to turn your favorite bottle into something extraordinary.
Whether you’re new to bourbon or just want low-effort drinks with high-reward flavor, these simple combos hit the sweet spot between lazy and legendary.
We’ve rounded up the easiest (and tastiest) 2-ingredient bourbon drinks you can whip up at home; no shaker, strainer, or cocktail degree required.
Bourbon + Ginger Ale
Light, crisp, and dangerously drinkable.
This is the weekend workhorse of bourbon cocktails. The smooth sweetness of bourbon pairs beautifully with the spicy fizz of ginger ale.
Try it with:
- Elijah Craig Small Batch: This adds a toasty depth.
- Bulleit Bourbon: This is slightly bolder with a spicier kick.
How to make it:
Pour 1.5 to 2 oz. of bourbon over ice, top with 4 oz. of ginger ale. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge if you’re feeling fancy (optional, so it still counts).
Bourbon + Cola
The classic you forgot you love.
Simple? Yes.
Boring? Not when you use the right bourbon. Cola brings caramel and vanilla to the party, and bourbon just makes it better.
Try it with:
- Wild Turkey 101: Cola helps to hold up its bold proof.
- L. Weller Special Reserve: This is a smooth and sweet spirit that’s perfect for easy sipping.
How to make it:
One part bourbon to 2 parts cola over ice, it’s that simple. Stir and serve. Make sure you keep it cold and don’t forget the big ice cubes; they matter more than you think.
Bourbon + Lemonade
Summer in a glass.
Sweet meets tart, with bourbon’s caramel notes rounding it all out. Great for porch hangs, backyard BBQs, or pretending it’s summer all year round.
Try it with:
- Crown Royal Bourbon Mash: This is a whisky that plays bourbon with rich, fruit-forward notes.
- Buffalo Trace: This bourbon is sweet enough to balance the citrus punch from a lemonade.
How to make it:
2 oz. bourbon + 4 oz. lemonade over ice. Stir and sip. Garnish with mint or lemon, but it’s delicious even without the extras.
Bourbon + Iced Tea
Southern charm in a glass.
If you’re into porch swings and slow sunsets, this one’s for you. Unsweetened tea gives bourbon grown-up balance. Sweet tea? That’s a party starter.
Try it with:
- Maker’s Mark: wheated bourbon that smooths the tannins.
- Basil Hayden: light, floral, and tea-friendly (quite exquisite).
How to make it:
Pour bourbon and tea over ice in equal parts or to your taste. Sweet tea gives a richer mouthfeel, but both are excellent. Bonus: works great in batches for gathering.
Bourbon + Apple Cider
Fall in a glass, even if it’s 90 degrees out.
Warm or cold, this combo is cozy. The apple complements bourbon’s oak and vanilla notes, and it works beautifully with wheated or spicy bourbons.
Try it with:
- Larceny Small Batch: This is a mellow wheated option.
- Woodford Reserve: A spirit that is deep, rich, and balanced.
How to make it:
You can serve cold: 2 oz. bourbon + 4 oz. apple cider over ice.
Or serve warm: heat cider gently, then stir in bourbon and serve in a mug.
Bourbon + Coffee
Just because sometimes it’s 5 PM and 8 AM at the same time.
This duo works hot or cold. Great for weekend brunch, late-night writing sessions, or surviving family holidays.
Try it with:
- Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond: This spirit is high proof for coffee balance.
- Four Roes Small Batch: You get smooth, floral, and espresso-friendly bourbon.
How to make it:
Pour a shot (1.5 oz.) of bourbon into a cup of black coffee or cold brew. Stir. Add a dash of cream or cinnamon if you like, but that’s your third ingredient talking.
Final Tip: Ice Matters
When you are only working with two ingredients, every detail counts, including the ice. Typically, big cubes melt slower, and that means less dilution overall. Crushed ice provides more chill but adds more water and finishes faster. Use what you have, but don’t underestimate how ice can affect taste and strength.
Ready to Mix It Up?
You don’t need a bartender to make something great, at least not at home anyway. You just need good bourbon and one solid partner-in-flavor. From cola to cider, these 2-ingredient bourbon drinks are proof that less really can be more.
Explore our full bourbon collection and start building your go-to duo.