Short answer: Bourbon mixes well with soda, cola, coffee liqueur, and sweet tea. Long Ridge High Rye Bourbon holds its spice against soda and cola. Turby's Cherrywood Bourbon leans smoother, so it pairs well with coffee liqueur and our own Slate Fork Moonshine flavors. Here is what to reach for, plus a few house combinations straight from our recipe book.
Key Takeaways
- Soda, cola, and coffee liqueur are the easiest mixers to keep on hand.
- Long Ridge High Rye Bourbon has enough spice to hold up in a simple highball.
- Turby's Cherrywood Bourbon is smoother, so it works well with coffee liqueur and moonshine mixers.
- The combinations below are official SKD recipes, not invented for this post.
Best Bourbon Mixers
Bourbon has enough character to stand up to almost anything you put it with, but a few mixers work better than others.
- Soda water or Sprite: Keeps things simple and lets the bourbon lead. Works especially well with a high rye bourbon like Long Ridge.
- Cola: A classic pairing. The sweetness balances out a bolder pour.
- Coffee liqueur: Adds depth without covering up the bourbon underneath. Best with a smoother bourbon like Turby's Cherrywood.
- Sweet tea or lemonade: A Southern staple, especially in the warmer months.
- Ginger ale or ginger beer: Adds a little spice and works well with citrus.
- Fruit-flavored moonshine: Our Slate Fork Moonshine flavors add sweetness and a house touch you will not find anywhere else.
Which SKD Bourbon Should You Mix With?
At Southern Kentucky Distillery, we make two very different bourbons, and that difference matters when you are picking a mixer.
Long Ridge High Rye Bourbon runs 69% corn, 21% rye, and 10% malted barley, so it carries real rye spice and pepper. That spice holds up well against soda, cola, and other simple mixers, which is why it is the base of our simplest house pour, Big Daddy's Special: just Long Ridge and Sprite over ice.
Turby's Cherrywood Bourbon runs 69% corn, 21% wheat, and 10% malted barley, then finishes with cherrywood for a smoother, fruit-forward pour. That smoothness is why it pairs so well with coffee liqueur and our own Slate Fork Moonshine flavors, which would overpower a spicier bourbon.
Turby's BCC
Short for bourbon, coffee, and cola. This one leans into the cherrywood finish and adds depth without turning the drink sweet.
- 2 oz Turby's Kentucky Cherrywood Bourbon
- 1 oz coffee liqueur
- Coke, to fill
- Garnish with a cherry
Fill a rocks glass with ice. Add the bourbon and coffee liqueur, then fill the rest of the glass with Coke. Stir and garnish with a cherry.
Turby's Scooter
A lighter pour built for sipping, with a fruity edge from our house-made blackberry moonshine.
- 1.5 oz Turby's Kentucky Cherrywood Bourbon
- 0.5 oz Slate Fork Blackberry Moonshine
- Top with lemon-lime soda
Fill a glass with ice. Add the bourbon and blackberry moonshine, then top with lemon-lime soda.
Derryberry's Delight
An easy one for a crowd. No stirring required, just build it and let the blackberry moonshine settle on top.
- 2 oz Turby's Kentucky Cherrywood Bourbon
- Dr Pepper, to fill
- A drizzle of Slate Fork Blackberry Moonshine on top, no stir
Fill a glass with ice. Add the bourbon, then fill with Dr Pepper. Drizzle the blackberry moonshine on top and serve without stirring.
Quick Mixer Comparison
| Mixer | Best Bourbon | Flavor Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sprite or soda water | Long Ridge High Rye | Crisp, lets the rye spice lead |
| Coffee liqueur and cola | Turby's Cherrywood | Rich, smooth, dessert-like |
| Blackberry moonshine and lemon-lime soda | Turby's Cherrywood | Light, fruity, easy sipping |
| Dr Pepper | Turby's Cherrywood | Sweet, simple, good for a crowd |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest thing to mix with bourbon?
Soda water or Sprite. Both stay out of the way and let the bourbon do the work, which is why it is the base of our simplest house pour, Big Daddy's Special.
Does bourbon mix well with cola?
Yes. Cola is one of the most common bourbon mixers, and it works especially well with a smoother bourbon like Turby's Cherrywood.
Are these official SKD recipes?
Yes. Turby's BCC, Turby's Scooter, and Derryberry's Delight all come from our in-house SKD Cocktails and Shots recipe book.
What mixes well with a spicier, high rye bourbon?
Simple mixers work best. Soda, cola, or a splash of lemon-lime soda let the rye spice in Long Ridge High Rye Bourbon come through instead of getting covered up.
Ready to Start Mixing?
Grab a bottle of Long Ridge High Rye Bourbon from our shop and try Big Daddy's Special, or pick up Turby's Cherrywood Bourbon to test out Turby's BCC or Turby's Scooter at home.