The bacon is fried, the eggs are scrambled and your relatives are on their way over for Dad’s big day. Despite the bountiful brunch spread you prepared, the food will feel a bit incomplete without a cocktail to wash it down with. Whether the man of the hour is into bloody Marys, bellinis or beer, these 16 Father’s Day cocktails are sure to impress and refresh him between bites. Read on for our newbie-friendly favorites, including a grapefruit radler and a cherry bourbon smash.
16 Father’s Day Cocktails to Serve Dad on His Big Day
Hello, whiskey lemonade
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Published May 23, 2024
Gimme Some Oven/How Sweet Eats/Half Baked Harvest
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
If you’re hosting brunch for the occasion, look no further than this spicy sipper. Use whatever beer Dad enjoys, but I recommend a pale lager; it’ll keep the cocktail refreshing without overpowering the mix-ins (like horseradish, Worcestershire and Tabasco).
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
It boasts all the essentials of a margarita, from the lime juice to the tequila to the agave. “Use any pilsner-style beer you like; just don’t skip the lime wedge garnish,” advises recipe developer Erin McDowell.
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy
Radlers are traditionally a mix of beer and lemonade, but this one calls for grapefruit juice in its place. “You can use any wheat beer you like (such as Weihenstephan Hefeweissbier or Belgian-style Blue Moon), and the recipe can be easily scaled up with a few more bottles,” says McDowell.
4. Raspberry-Lime Champagne Punch
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
Before popping some bubbly and calling it a day, combine it with vodka, juice and seasonal produce to make a big-batch cocktail that the whole family will want a second glass of. Be sure to use freshly squeezed lime juice—the bottled kind doesn’t compare.
5. Sangrita
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
Complete with a lime sugar garnish. Put that neglected bottle of red that’s been languishing in your fridge to good use in this citrusy Father’s Day cocktail. Sweet or dry will both work splendidly.
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy
Thick, sweet mango nectar cuts through the acidic tomato juice and spicy sriracha just right. It also gives the classic libation a summer-inspired twist that’s timely for Father’s Day.
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly, <30 minutes
Frangelico imparts sweet nuttiness to every drop of this souped-up joe. Might I suggest making an boozy iced coffee bar equipped with sweeteners, whipped cream, dark chocolate shavings and chocolate syrup so your guests can mix their own?
8. Garden Cherry Bourbon Smash
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly, dairy free
Between the fresh basil, thyme leaves and sweet-tart cherries, this Father’s Day cocktail has garden party written all over it. A modest dose of white wine vinegar turns its vibrancy up to the max.
9. Pineapple Strawberry Mimosa
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
Mimosas are a brunch must, but don’t feel like you’re limited to OJ. Here, pineapple juice holds down the fort, along with muddled strawberries for color and sweetness.
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
Whether you make the cold brew yourself or buy it premade, Dad will love this potent Father’s Day cocktail. Five spirits and liqueurs unite for a vibe that defines a lazy holiday Sunday.
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes
Snag the plumpest, sweetest blueberries you can at the farmers market for this summer-inspired gem. It’s impeccably balanced in flavor, thanks to sour lemon juice, punchy ginger beer and Dad’s choice of whiskey.
12. Fresh Bellini
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
Forget those cheap peach schnapps-based bellinis you’ve settled for at brunch in the past. These call for peeling, blending and chilling the purée from fresh, in-season peaches for the most intense flavor possible.
13. Whiskey Lemonade
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, <30 minutes
We won’t tell if you use store-bought lemonade instead of squeezing your own—this Father’s Day cocktail is all about the fresh herbs (and whiskey) anyway. If you want to tone down the acidity, add a teaspoon or two of maple syrup or honey into each glass.
14. Michelada
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, make ahead, beginner-friendly
His favorite Mexican lager serves as the star of this zesty classic. Mix the tomato base (which calls for soy sauce and hot sauce, for starters) up to three days ahead to make the Father’s Day cocktail even more of a breeze on the big day.
15. Summer Shandy
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, <30 minutes
Sure, you could lean on store-bought lemonade instead of the three-ingredient, from-scratch recipe, but it’ll taste far cleaner if you make it yourself. The real kicker is the chilled Hefeweizen.
16. Iced Whiskey Coffees with Whiskey Syrup and Whipped Cream
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, make ahead, beginner-friendly
If Dad loves whiskey, he’ll be doubly impressed with this Father’s Day cocktail, which calls for a shot of the stuff and a brown sugar-vanilla whiskey syrup. The topping is made with coconut milk, but you can sub heavy whipping cream if everyone consumes dairy.
