Celebrate Dad with a drink that embraces his favorite flavors! Whether he prefers something boozy or wants something non-alcoholic, show him the love by crafting him a sipper he’ll love.
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Your ultimate guide to Father’s Day drinks
If your dad is anything like mine, he doesn’t demand a fuss. That doesn’t mean that he shouldn’t be celebrated! Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity to recognize the fathers, grandfathers and father figures in your life.
While these drinks may have been picked with Dad in mind, they’re good enough that you’ll want to keep them around through into the summer months. With different types of booze, and some with no booze at all, there’s something on the list for every palate!
Quick tips for hosting Father’s Day
The day is all about Dad, so focus on him when you create the day. Prep ahead of time so you ensure that everyone can simply enjoy the day!
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- Multiply a favorite. If your Dad already has a go-to cocktail, multiply the ingredients to make enough for everyone to enjoy. When you visit the recipe card on any recipe on this site, use the +/- buttons at the top of any recipe card to scale the recipe as you need to.
- Keep it simple. There are plenty of cocktails that don’t have a lengthy list of ingredients. Don’t be fooled, they still bring plenty of flair and flavor that everyone can enjoy!
- Add a twist. Build on a classic recipe you know Dad likes, but surprise him by switching things up. Add a new flavor, make it into a mocktail or top it with an over the top garnish to really impress.
Food pairings
You’ll want to let the time of your celebration help craft your menu. Brunch celebrations are best with a combination of sweet and savory — think a quiche alongside French toast. Fire up the grill and embrace summer with a cookout starring Dad’s favorite food. Ribs, burgers, chicken… the options are almost endless!
Don’t let anyone go hungry by offering plenty of snacks. Pizza dip is almost always a crowd pleaser, as are loaded steak nachos. Think things that are easy to eat and shareable for a crowd.
End the night with a nightcap — and a side of something sweet! Cookies, cakes, ice cream — I’d pick whatever my guest of honor’s favorite was and serve that. Bourbon caramel sauce will take whatever you decide to serve over the top.
The best Father’s Day cocktails & mocktails
Toast Dad with one of these drinks in hand!
1
Scotch Old-Fashioned Cocktail
If Dad takes his whiskey seriously, he'll love this Scotch Old-Fashioned, which swaps bourbon for Scotch and lets that signature smokiness do the heavy lifting. A sugar cube, bitters and an orange twist keep the structure of the classic intact while the Scotch adds a peaty depth that bourbon just can't replicate. Slow sipping is basically required.
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2
Brandy Manhattan
Softer and slightly sweeter than the classic, this Brandy Manhattan swaps rye for cognac and lands somewhere between elegant and deeply comfortable. Rich stone fruit notes from the brandy play beautifully against sweet vermouth and bitters, giving it a warmth that feels right for a celebratory pour. It's the Midwestern Manhattan for the dad who prefers his cocktails sweet, smooth and unhurried.
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3
Classic Gin Gimlet
Gin and fresh lime juice are all a Classic Gimlet needs to make its case — tart, clean and bracingly refreshing in a way that feels almost deceptively simple. It's the kind of cocktail that rewards a good bottle of gin, so it's worth reaching for something Pop actually likes. Crisp, cold and gone faster than expected.
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4
Azalea Cocktail
The official drink of the Masters, the Azalea combines vodka, lemonade and a splash of grenadine into something pretty in the glass and surprisingly easy to drink. It's a hole-in-one for the golf-loving dad, whether he's watching the US Open or just convinced he belongs on the tour.
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5
Gin & Tonic
Few cocktails are as reliably satisfying as a well-made Gin and Tonic — cold tonic, good gin, a wedge of lime and ice that actually stays frozen long enough to matter. The botanicals in the gin come through beautifully against the tonic's gentle bitterness, making every sip taste cleaner than the last. Dad probably already knows he likes this one.
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6
Mezcal Margaritas
For the papa who always orders something a little off-menu, this Mezcal Margarita trades tequila for its smokier, earthier cousin and transforms the classic into something with real personality. Fresh lime and a salted rim keep it grounded while the mezcal adds a depth that's hard to put into words until you taste it.
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7
Dark & Stormy Cocktail
Bold dark rum and fiery ginger beer make the Dark & Stormy exactly what it sounds like — a drink with some weather to it. A squeeze of fresh lime cuts through the richness just enough to keep things balanced. It's the cocktail for fathers with a well-worn copy of Hemingway on the shelf and a taste for something with a little drama in the glass.
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8
Classic Negroni
Bitter, beautiful and unapologetically complex, the Classic Negroni is the cocktail for the dad who has strong opinions about what's in his glass. Equal parts gin, Campari and sweet vermouth come together into something that takes exactly one sip to decide whether you love it — and if you do, you really do. It's been earning devoted fans for over a century and shows no sign of slowing down.
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9
Summer Shandy
Half lemonade, half light beer, the Summer Shandy is the most refreshing thing you can hand Dad at a backyard cookout in his honor. It's bright, a little tart and just bubbly enough to feel festive without being too much. The father who loves a cold beer but wants something a little different on a hot afternoon will find a lot to like here.
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10
Michelada
Savory, spicy and built on a cold beer base, the Michelada is the drink for the dad who takes his brunch as seriously as his cocktails. Tomato juice, hot sauce, lime and Worcestershire come together in a way that's bold and deeply satisfying — somewhere between a Bloody Mary and the best beer you've ever had. It's hearty enough to stand in for a first course.
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11
Beerita (Beer Margarita)
The Beer Margarita is exactly what it sounds like — a classic margarita made even more refreshing with a splash of light beer. Bright lime, tequila and fizzy beer come together into something casual and crowd-friendly that works as well at a backyard Father's Day party as it does on taco night. If Dad can't decide between a cold beer and a margarita, now he doesn't have to.
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12
Old-Fashioned Mocktail
All the ritual of a proper Old-Fashioned — the bitters, the sugar, the orange twist — without the bourbon, this mocktail is a genuinely satisfying spirit-free option that doesn't feel like a compromise. It can be made a few different ways: with an old-fashioned syrup of bitters, sugar and water, with a bourbon barrel-aged tea or with a zero-proof whiskey if you want to go all in. Whatever route you take, the man of the hour will appreciate this nod to the real thing.
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13
Citrus Ginger Beer Mocktail
Fresh lemon, lime and orange juice layered with spicy ginger beer and a dash of orange bitters make this Citrus Ginger Beer Mocktail one of the most flavorful non-alcoholic drinks on the table. It's bright, fizzy and has just enough kick to feel like a proper cocktail. The dad who's skipping the spirits tonight won't feel like he's missing out.
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14
Smoked Old-Fashioned Cocktail
A Smoked Old-Fashioned takes everything great about the classic and turns up the drama — a dome of wood smoke settles over the glass before serving, infusing every sip with a deep, campfire-like richness. For the dad who appreciates a little theater with his whiskey, this one delivers. A cocktail smoker makes a great gift, too.
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15
Red Snapper Cocktail
The Red Snapper makes the same bold, savory case as a Bloody Mary but with gin instead of vodka, and the difference is worth noting. The botanicals add a subtle complexity that makes every spicy, tomato-forward sip feel a little more layered. The guest of honor will appreciate the upgrade at the brunch table.
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16
Pineapple Mojito
Fresh mint, lime and rum get a tropical lift in the Pineapple Mojito, where sweet pineapple juice adds a fruity brightness that feels tailor-made for a summer celebration. Built over ice and topped with sparkling soda, it's cool, bubbly and just a little bit festive. For the dad who'd rather be on a beach somewhere, this is the next best thing.
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17
Peach Bellini
Light, bubbly and just sweet enough, the Peach Bellini is a natural fit for a Father's Day brunch that deserves something a little more special than orange juice. Fresh peach purée and cold sparkling wine come together in minutes, making it as easy to pull off as it is to drink. There's more than one way to celebrate Pops, and this drink makes a pretty good case for starting in the morning.
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18
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Non-Alcoholic Smoky Cocktail
Lapsang Souchong tea gives this spirit-free cocktail its signature smokiness — deep, rich and surprisingly complex for something with no alcohol in it. Maple syrup and lime juice add sweetness and brightness, while a dash of sea salt and pepper round out the edges, and aquafaba gives it a silky, frothy finish. For the dad who wants something sophisticated without the spirits, this one more than delivers.
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