Improved Iced Coffee

Mike Treffehn of The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. in Philadelphia created this delicious bourbon-spiked iced coffee.

Aviary's Bitter

The Bitter cocktail, from the Aviary in Chicago, is served in a glass that's been smoked over a piece of smoldering bourbon barrel stave, which is custom-cut by the cocktail lounge's industrial designer. Fear not—we love this cocktail with or without the touch of smokiness! But if you're feeling adventurous and want to truly re-create this drink at home, used small-format, seasoned barrels are available for purchase online from New York's Tuthilltown Spirits, makers of Hudson whiskey.

Man About Town

This cocktail from Gramercy Tavern in NYC is a take on a Boulevardier (which is like a Negroni, but with bourbon instead of gin). Here, however, spicy rye is the star, complemented by the bittersweet Sicilian amaro, Cynar.

Bittersweet Amaro- and Whiskey-Spiked Coffee

Bourbon-spiked coffee gets a bittersweet flavor from caramelly Amaro Averna and herbal, citrusy Gran Classico.

Blonde Redhead

This cocktail, created by Douglas Derrick of Ava Gene's in Portland, Oregon, is a masterful combination of just three ingredients: spicy whiskey, luscious vermouth, and complex Barolo Chinato, a bittersweet, herb- and spice-dosed digestivo made from one of Italy's best wines. The result is chocolaty, smooth, and deep. Though it's in the same family, it's subtler than a Boulevardier.

New York Shrub

To make simple syrup, combine 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Cool before using. Simple syrup will keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Sazerac and Cider

The true apple flavor of hard cider is a natural partner for a warming spirit like rye and even plays well with the anise and botanicals in Pernod, which can be a bit of an oddball to mix.

The Arnaud's Special

With the advance of autumn, it's time to break out the dark-spirit drinks suitable to the cooler seasons. The Arnaud's Special is a close cousin to the Rob Roy, and was the house cocktail for Arnaud's Restaurant in New Orleans during the 1940s and '50s.

Mott and Mulberry

This cocktail was created by Leo Robitschek of The Nomad and Eleven Madison Park in New York City. It spices up apple cider with rye and Amaro Abano, an amaro that's a bit more bitter than Averna, and a bit less mentholated-tasting than Fernet.

Buena Vista Fizz

You wouldn't think that citrus and coffee would go together, but we absolutely love this cocktail from Tradition in San Francisco, which brings together Jameson and chicory-infused rye whiskey.