Contents
Jack Daniels (aka JD) Tennessee Whiskey is one of the world’s most popular alcoholic drinks.
It’s no wonder — it has a delicious sweet flavor with plenty of caramel, vanilla, and oak present.
Not only can Jack Daniels be enjoyed straight, but it can also be used to make some incredible cocktails and blends well with a range of mixers.
This article will share a few ideas on what to mix with Jack Daniels.
What is the flavor profile of Jack Daniels?
Jack Daniels meets all of the requirements of an American bourbon whiskey but there is some argument over whether it is one or not (but that’s a story for another day).
It is made in Tennessee using a mash bill that is at least 51% corn, along with malted barley and rye.
It is then distilled in large copper stills.
The distillate is aged in American white oak barrels for at least two years.
The key difference separating Jack Daniels from other bourbon whiskeys is that it is filtered through sugar maple charcoal before bottling.
This process strips the bourbon of some of its harsh flavorings, creating a smooth and easy-to-drink bourbon.
This technique, called the “Lincoln Country process”, is why Jack Daniels is often called a Tennessee whiskey instead of a bourbon.
The dominant flavors in Jack Daniels include caramel, vanilla, butterscotch, oak, lemon, corn, molasses, smoke, bananas, nuts, a hint of spice,
What can be mixed with Jack Daniels?
Here are a few excellent mixers and cocktail ideas that work well with this delicious spirit.
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is perhaps the most popular mixer to have with Jack Daniels.
It adds an effervescent sweetness to your drink, along with some darker flavors like molasses.
To have a Jack and Coke, simply add 3 parts Coke with one part Jack Daniels in a highball glass with ice.
You can garnish with a slice of lime (optional).
Another great recipe using cola is the Jack in Black:
- ¾ fill a rocks glass with ice
- Pour in 35 ml (1 ½ ounces) of Jack Daniels
- Add 15 ml (¾ ounce) of coffee liqueur and top with cola
- Stir gently
- Add cherry for garnish
Apple Juice
Apple juice can add a delicious combination of tartness, acidity, and sweetness to your drink.
One fantastic recipe incorporating apple juice and Jack Daniels is the Apple Jack.
To make one:
- Fill ¾ of a highball glass with cubed ice
- Pour in 50 ml (2 oz) of Jack Daniels
- Top up with apple juice and garnish with apple slices
Ginger Ale
Ginger Ale has a powerful flavor that works well with Jack Daniels. It adds a hint of sweetness, along with a lot of “zing” from the ginger.
One great recipe using ginger ale is the Gentleman & Ginger:
- Fill ¾ of a highball glass with cubed ice
- Pour in 50 ml (2 oz) of Jack Daniels
- Top with ginger ale and garnish with a wedge of lime
Lemonade
Lemonade is one of the most popular drinks in Tennessee.
You can often find residents enjoying a glass while sitting on their verandahs on a warm afternoon.
Lemonade also works well with Jack Daniels, as it adds a crisp and clean flavor to your drink.
If you want to give lemonade a try, make a Lynchburg Lemonade:
- Fill ¾ of a highball glass with cubed ice
- Pour in 35 ml (1½ oz) of Jack Daniels
- Add 12.5 ml (½ oz) Triple sec and 12.5 ml (½ oz) fresh lemon juice
- Top up with lemonade and garnish with a lemon slice
Lemon-Lime Soda
Similar to lemonade, but a bit sweeter, this mixer is quite refreshing and works well with Jack Daniels.
You can simply mix 3 parts of lemon-lime soda with 1 part of Jack Daniels in a highball glass with ice.
If you are interested in something a little more sophisticated, try the Raspberry Lynchburg:
- Half fill a shaker with ice
- Add 50 ml (2 oz) of Jack Daniels, 22.5 ml (¾ oz) lime juice, 7.5 ml (¼ oz) sugar syrup and 15 ml (½ oz) Chambord
- Shake vigorously for 10 seconds
- Pour the liquid into a highball glass that is ¾ full of ice
- Top with lemon-lime soda
- Drizzle some Chambord around the top of the drink and add raspberries to garnish
Soda Water
If you really appreciate the flavor of Jack Daniels and don’t want it altered too much by mixers, you can always opt for soda water and ice.
This mixer won’t get in the way of the delicious flavors of the spirit.
Jack Daniels Cocktails
Jack Apple Fizz
If you want a cocktail with a bold and bright apple flavor, this is the one for you. It offers a crisp apple character with a squeeze of lemon, making this drink ripe for sipping.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple Whiskey
- 1/3 ounce of Lemon Juice
- Soda
Instructions
- Pour the Jack Daniels and lemon juice over ice.
- Fill the glass the rest of the way with soda.
- Garnish it all with a lemon wedge, slice, or round.
Tennessee Apple
Those who prefer a bold drink with little fuss are sure to appreciate the Tennessee Apple.
Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ ounces of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple Whiskey
- ¾ ounce of Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Whiskey
Instructions:
- Pour both into a glass.
- Stir over ice.
- Strain it into the drinking glass.
Jack Rye and Ginger
Do you want a bright and bold drink that empties out the spice cabinet? The Jack Rye and Ginger brings the complex character of rye together with a smooth ginger snap for a refreshing beverage.
Ingredients:
- Ginger Ale
- 2 ounces of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye
Instructions:
- Fill up a highball glass about 3/4s full with cubed ice.
- Pour your Jack Rye over the ice.
- Top it off with ginger ale.
- Add some lime wedges for a garnish.
Tennessee Toddy
On a cold winter’s evening, you need a soothing cocktail. That’s why you can’t go wrong with the timeless combination of cinnamon, lemon, and some Tennessee Whiskey.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces of Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7
- ½ ounce of honey (OR use 2 ½ ounces of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Whiskey)
- ½ ounce of lemon juice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 ounces of hot water
Instructions:
- Pour the whiskey into a heavy mug.
- Add your honey or use Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Whiskey and skip this step.
- Put in the lemon juice and cinnamon stick.
- Top it off with hot water and stir the drink with your cinnamon stick.
Frank’s Way
Everyone knows that Frank Sinatra did it “his way.” However, when it came to his whiskey, he always preferred Jack. Now, you can raise a glass to Frank and toast his good ideas!
Ingredients:
- Three rocks (ice cubes)
- Two fingers of the Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select Whiskey
- One splash of water
Instructions:
- Add the three rocks to your glass.
- Splash in two fingers of the whiskey.
- Put in a bit of water.
Gentleman’s Jack Sour
Cocktail shaking can make or break a drink, and the most common shakers are called Boston Shakers. They aren’t easy to perfect, but if you want to try your hand at a truly mixed drink, Gentleman’s Jack Sour is a great choice.
If you don’t have a Boston Shaker or want to use something else, try a cylindrical container. It doesn’t have to be fancy, and you can have more money to buy another bottle of Gentleman Jack.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces of Gentleman Jack Whiskey
- 2 ounces of Gentleman Jack Sour Mix
- 1 egg white
Instructions:
- Add all of the ingredients to your shaker and shake it up well.
- Put ice in the shaker and continue shaking.
- Strain the concoction and pour it into a chilled glass.
- Garnish it with a lemon or a cherry.
Bellini
Do you love Gentleman Jack and want to use it in various beverages? You can give your whiskey a sparkling and sweet lift when you make this tasty drink. It’s peachy-keen and extra smooth, making it an ideal and refreshing cocktail for a warm day.
Ingredients:
- 1 part of Gentleman Jack
- 1 Part of Peach Puree
Instructions:
- Make a peach puree with pitted peaches, water, and sugar. Taste it and make changes as needed.
- Add the same amount of peach puree to the glass as you do Gentleman Jack.
- Top it all off with some champagne.
Jack Sour
One of the classics is the Jack Sour. If you visit any reputable bar, you’ve probably heard someone order it. The mix of sweet and sour is perfection and unmistakably a Jack beverage.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces of Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7
- 1 ounce of fresh lemon juice
- ¾ ounce of simple syrup
- Two dashes of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Bitters
- One egg white (optional)
Instructions:
- Fill up a cocktail shaker about halfway with cubed ice.
- Add every ingredient; leave out the egg white if you don’t want a foamy finish.
- Shake it all up for 20 to 30 seconds.
- Fill a rocks glass about halfway with cubed ice.
- Strain your shaker liquid into the glass.
- Add an orange slice and/or cherry as a garnish if you want, or leave the glass plain.