Rye Whisky
Rye whisky is distilled from a mash dominated by rye grain, giving it a spicier, drier profile than corn-heavy bourbon. American rye in particular has a peppery bite that cuts through sweet or citrus ingredients in a cocktail. It is the traditional choice for many pre-Prohibition whiskey classics.
Common uses
- base spirit for stirred cocktails wanting more spice
- base spirit for whiskey sours
Buying & storage
Keeps more or less indefinitely: Alcohol is preserving it. An open bottle keeps for a very long time, though aromatics do fade slowly.
Storage: keeps indefinitely, store upright away from light
In depth
Understanding rye whisky
How it is made, where it comes from, what it pairs with, and how it behaves in an alcohol-free drink.
Origin
Rooted in colonial-era American and Canadian distilling using a rye-dominant mash.
Recipes
Cocktails containing this ingredient
Stand-in
Where rye whisky is a recommended substitute
Recipes that name it as a swap for something else, with what it replaces.
- Old Fashionedin place of bourbon or rye whisky
- Whiskey Sourin place of bourbon
- Sidecarin place of cognac
- Mint Julepin place of bourbon
- Boulevardierin place of bourbon
- Last Wordin place of gin
- Gin Rickeyin place of gin
- Gold Rushin place of bourbon
- Whiskey Smashin place of bourbon
- John Collinsin place of bourbon or other whiskey
- Coffee Old Fashionedin place of bourbon
Swap it
Possible substitutions
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