12 Dad-Approved Father's Day Cocktails

Whenever Father's Day rolls around, my mind turns (of course) to delicious cocktails! These easy, flavorful Father's Day cocktails should please any cocktail-loving Dad. There is something for everyone, from boozy classics to more refreshing summer drinks!

A long collage of eight different cocktail images. Text in the middle says "12 Dad-approved cocktails for Father's Day".

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For the Manhattan-loving Dad
Campari Cocktails
Tequila Cocktails for Dad
Refreshing Summery Cocktails for Father's Day
Father's Day Gift Ideas for the Cocktail Dad
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For the Manhattan-loving Dad

Manhattans are one of the more spirit-forward cocktails, with just whiskey and sweet vermouth. These boozy cocktails are all delicious and perfect for anyone who loves good Manhattan.

LIttle Italy cocktail in a Nick and Nora cocktail glass with two maraschino cherries on a cocktail pick resting on top of the drink.

This spirit-forward cocktail is a riff on a Manhattan, replacing the bitters with Cynar, an artichoke-based amaro. First created in 2005 by Audrey Saunders of Pegu Club, it's a delicious take on a classic.

Get the Little Italy Recipe

Side view of the Vieux Carre cocktail with an orange peel garnish and bottles in the background.

A classic cocktail from New Orleans, developed in the 1930's, with a split base of rye whiskey and cognac. It is a delicious, spirit-forward drink along the lines of a Manhattan.

Get the Vieux Carré Recipe

Campari Cocktails

Bitter flavors are a key element of many cocktails, balancing out the sweet and strong ingredients. These cocktails are perfect for any Dads who love the bitter flavor of Campari liqueur!

Close up of a Negroni cocktail, a red-colored drink in an old fashioned glass with a large piece of orange peel

This is the classic Negroni cocktail, with a slight tweak: instead of using equal parts of all three ingredients, the gin is increased, making the drink less syrupy-sweet.

Get the Classic Negroni Recipe

Close up detailed view of an Enzoni cocktail in a gold-rimmed old fashioned cocktail glass. The reddish-orange colored drink is garnished with three green grapes on a cocktail pick.

The Enzoni cocktail is a delicious cross between a Negroni and a gin sour using fresh green grapes.

Get the Enzoni Cocktail Recipe

A little Campari goes a long way in this cocktail. The combination of gin, Campari, Ginger Rhubarb liqueur and lemon is slightly bitter and very refreshing.

Get the Gin Campari Sour Recipe

Tequila Cocktails for Dad

Looking for some great Tequila recipes for Father's Day? These are my favorites!

Side view of a Tequila Mule cocktail in a hammered copper mug. A lime wheel is on the rim of the mug as a garnish. In the background is a bottle of tequila.

This simple and delicious cocktail features lime juice, ginger beer and tequila.

Get the Tequila Mule Recipe

Side view of a Smoky Margarita in a stemless gold-bottomed wine glass. The drink has a salted rim and torched lime garnish. In the background are tequila, smoked syrup and a jigger.

With a mix of tequila and mezcal, along with smoked simple syrup, this Smoky Margarita is the perfect cocktail to sip by a campfire!

Get the Smoky Margarita Recipe

Refreshing Summery Cocktails for Father's Day

Since Father's Day is in summer around here, some more refreshing drinks fit the bill nicely!

Side view of a New York Sour cocktail with a red wine float and egg white foam on top. In the background are a jigger and ingredients used to make the drink.

The New York Sour is a variation on the classic Boston Whiskey Sour, with the addition of a red wine float. Both beautiful and delicious!

Get the New York Sour Recipe

Side view of a yellow colored Painkiller cocktail in a Hurricane glass on a gray countertop with pineapple fronds and an orange slice garnish. In the background are cut oranges, pineapple and a bottle of rum.

This tropical cocktail combines dark rum with orange, coconut and pineapple for a delicious summer drink.

Get the Painkiller Cocktail Recipe

Lion’s Tail cocktail in a martini glass on a white countertop. The drink is orange in color and has a long curly strip of orange peel as the garnish.

The Lion's Tail Cocktail is a delicious classic bourbon drink featuring allspice dram and lime juice.

Get the Lion's Tail Recipe

Side view of the Corpse Reviver No 2 cocktail with Lillet Blanc and an absinthe atomizer in the background.

Meant to be a hair-of-the-dog hangover cure, this delicious drink mixes gin, lemon, orange liqueur and Lillet Blanc to make a light and refreshing cocktail.

Get the Corpse Reviver No. 2 Recipe

Last but not least, the Last Word is an amazing recipe if you can get your hands on some Chartreuse!

This Prohibition-era classic is made with equal parts gin, Chartreuse, Maraschino liqueur and lime juice. It's refreshing but complex enough for a discerning drinker.

Get the Last Word Cocktail Recipe

Father's Day Gift Ideas for the Cocktail Dad

It's so easy to find fun cocktail-themed gifts for Dad! Try out these ideas for the cocktail enthusiast in your life.

Bar Tools - Check out A Bar Above for my favorite bar tools! Grab 10% off your purchase by using code LKDrinks.
Cocktail Course - A Bar Above also has amazing cocktail courses for your dad to learn anything from the basics to a mixology degree! Be sure to use my code LKDrinks for a 10% discount.
Cocktail Books - there are tons of cocktail books available, but a few great ones are:
- Cocktail Codex by Alex Day, Nick Fauchald and David Kaplan
- Liquid Intelligence by Dave Arnold
- Smuggler's Cove by Martin Cate and Rebecca Cate (for Tiki lovers!)
Garnishes - Dehydrated fruit makes a great garnish! You can make your own by slicing and oven-drying them, or buy some online.
...and of course, you can make Dad a coupon to redeem for the cocktail of his choice, made by you!