This Sunday is the time to officially honor dear old Dad, and there’s no better way than with a handsome, beautifully crafted cocktail. Well, maybe you could mow the lawn for him or do something else nice for him too. And you really should buy him a gift and a card. But he might appreciate a good drink as well.
While most Dads don’t go in for flowery or overcomplicated cocktails, there are many simple recipes that incorporate whiskey and Bourbon, among other spirits, and make for a refreshing special-occasion beverage.
Take the Here’s To You Dad, from the mixologists at Hennessy: a few ounces of Hennessy V.S with some muddled orange twists, brown sugar and two dashes of black walnut bitters.
If that sounds a little heavy for a midday gathering, the Dad’s Secret Dram from the folks at Kilbeggan mixes in a little orange juice with Irish whiskey, along with some orange syrup, bitters and some egg white. Almost like brunch in a glass.
The Tomoka, named after Captain Bill McCoy’s schooner, is another good brunch or lunch starter, made with cachaca, cane syrup, roasted red pepper puree, lemon and Tabasco sauce. Another rum option that might appeal is the Don Q Gran Palmetto.
For vodka fans, the Dad’s Night In cocktail mixes Belvedere vodka with sherry and vermouth. And while Dad may not be a pisco drinker—he may not even know what it is—the Peruvian Mule is an interesting take on the classic vodka drink Moscow Mule.
The mixologists at The Rye House in New York created two interesting theme recipes using Wild Turkey: The Father and The Son. And you can never go wrong with a drink from King Cocktail Dale DeGroff; his Whiskey Smash combines Bourbon and simple syrup with mint leaves and lemon.
A lot of men find the idea of beer cocktails sacrilegious, but a Shandy can be a refreshing choice for a picnic or outdoor gathering. The folks at Jim Beam have a more spirited take on the old-school beer drink: The Jacob’s Shandy is 1 part Jacob’s Ghost White Whiskey, 2 parts lemonade and 1 part light beer.
You can also make up your own beer cocktails. Red Robin just added two to their summer drink menu that sound good and are easy to replicate at home. Then again, Dad might just want some plain old beer for his celebration, and that’s just fine, too.