The Easy Whiskey Drink Made for Late Summer!

If you’re looking for an easy whiskey cocktail, the Tennessee Cooler might be one of the simplest places to start. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, apple juice and ginger ale come together in a tall, refreshing cocktail that takes about five minutes to make.

The apple brings out the sweeter side of the whiskey, while ginger ale gives it enough spice and fizz to stop the whole thing becoming too sweet. No shaker required. Just build it in the glass, stir and drink.

Three ingredients and no cocktail shaker already put the Tennessee Cooler in my good books.

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey is sweeter than traditional Tennessee whiskey, so it works particularly well in simple mixed drinks. Apple and whiskey are old friends, while ginger gives the drink a little bite.

I particularly like this one when the weather is still hot but the autumn is on its way. It has all those apple, honey and ginger flavors that feel right for fall, but it is still long, cold and refreshing enough to serve over plenty of ice in the summer

What is Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey?

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey combines Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey with honey liqueur. It comes in at 35% ABV in both the US and UK, compared with 40% ABV for the standard Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 sold in those markets.

Unsurprisingly, honey is the dominant flavor, but you still get the whiskey character underneath it. That combination makes it particularly useful for simple cocktails where you don’t want to start making syrups or adding lots of additional ingredients.

In fact, even Jack Daniel’s recommends serving Tennessee Honey long with lemonade, which gives you a pretty good indication of how well it works with tart and fizzy mixers.

What does a Tennessee Cooler taste like?

Think apple, honey and ginger with whiskey running underneath. The spirit provides sweetness and those familiar whiskey flavors. Apple juice adds fruitiness without introducing another strong flavor, and ginger ale lightens everything with bubbles and a touch of spice.

The lemon garnish isn’t just there to look pretty either. Give it a squeeze before drinking if you want a little extra acidity.

What you need to make a Tennessee Cooler

One of the great things about this is that you need very little equipment.

You will need:

• Highball glass
• Bar spoon
• Plenty of ice

That’s it. You don’t need a cocktail shaker, strainer or any other serious bar equipment.

The ingredients

• Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey: This is the heart of the drink, so I wouldn’t substitute regular Jack Daniel’s if you want the same flavor.
• Apple juice: Use a good-quality apple juice. Since there are only three ingredients in the cocktail, you will notice the difference.
• Ginger ale: This adds both length and fizz. Make sure it’s properly chilled before you begin.
• Lemon: A wedge of fresh lemon finishes the drink and adds a little acidity if you squeeze it into the glass.

More ice doesn’t necessarily mean a more watery cocktail. A glass packed with good, cold ice keeps your drink colder for longer and slows down dilution.

Common mistakes when making a Tennessee Cooler

The biggest danger with a simple cocktail is assuming that nothing can go wrong.

• Using too much ginger ale: You’ll lose the honey, apple and whiskey flavors.
• Not using enough ice: Your cocktail will warm and dilute more quickly.
• Using flat ginger ale: The bubbles are part of what makes this drink work. Open a fresh bottle or can if you can.
• Skipping the citrus: You can make the drink without the lemon, but that little bit of freshness helps balance the sweeter ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

What mixes well with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey?

Citrus also works particularly well because its acidity helps balance the sweetness of the honey liqueur.

Is Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey whiskey?

In the United States, Brown-Forman describes Tennessee Honey as a whiskey specialty rather than Tennessee Whiskey. It combines Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey with honey flavor and is bottled at 35% ABV.

Can you drink Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey straight?

Absolutely. It can be served neat, chilled or over ice as well as being used in mixed drinks. If you’re new to it, however, the Tennessee Cooler is a very easy introduction.

Can I use ginger beer instead of ginger ale?

Yes, although expect a much spicier drink. Ginger beer has considerably more bite than ginger ale and can overpower some of the softer honey and apple flavors. Start with a smaller amount and adjust to taste.

Here is the recipe