I like a good gin and tonic every now and then, but my go to is always a rye Manhattan. Old Forester rye is a great rye for making one at about $22 a bottle.
I’m simple. Bourbon old fashioned or basic margarita.
My dad and late grandfather were regular Manhattan drinkers at family gatherings. I had a not so good experience with them one Xmas eve and I’ve avoided them ever since.
I rarely have a mixed drink, but when I do it's usually a vodka soda or a Moscow Mule. I don't drink at my house unless we're doing a Friday Zoom happy hour, and even then it's just beer, seltzer or champagne.
Bourbon on the rocks...if Im feeling fancy, Old Fashioned.
If its a scorching summer day, and I feel like drinking before, say, 4pm. I'll make a Margarita. Heavy on the patron, light on the Tres Agaves mix, 3 whole limes. Salted rim and about 1/3 of a Jalapeno sliced and mixed in (seeds included) for spice.
Vodka and whatever I have to mix it with is my go to. Gin and tonics in the summer when it’s super hot out. Like a good marg and whiskey/bourbon now and then. A restaurant in town has something called a game changer (painkiller) that is a frozen slushie and it’s definitely my favorite restaurant drink.
Orange peel, sugar cube, half ounce of water, bitters. Muddle that together. Add ice ball. 2-3 ounces of bourbon, and an orange peel to garish. Perfection.
My others are usually a Manhattan or a Gin Martini.