3 Father’s Day Cocktails (Because Your Dad Doesn’t Need Another Tie)

Forget about gifting your dad yet another tie this Father’s Day. Let’s be honest: He probably hasn’t even worn the last three you’ve given him. Instead, raise a glass to the man who taught you how to ride a bike, jumpstart a car, and light a grill without setting yourself on fire. Here are three pops-approved cocktails guaranteed to make you his favorite of the family.

• The Ballgame: Few things put a nostalgic smile on our faces like the memory of attending a baseball game with dear old dad. So it’s fitting that this cocktail, aptly named The Ballgame, should be a go-to for this list. Primarily made with bourbon, Frangelico, and amaretto, the recipe’s a home run as it is.

What really knocks it out of the park is an unexpected yet appropriate touch: a Cracker Jack-coated rim. See recipe.

• Hole in One: Golf may not be as exciting as baseball, but it’s just about one of the most dad-like activities around. Skip the 18 holes and go directly to the watering hole, where you can down Hole in Ones without spoiling a good walk, as the old joke goes.

Thanks to the cranberry juice, this cocktail looks more like a Cosmopolitan than it does a manly Scotch on the rocks. But hey, it might just match your dad’s pink plaid shorts. See recipe.

• Rusty Nail: The name alone brings back memories of dad working in the garage, quietly cursing to himself while pretending he’s got this do-it-yourself thing down.

Whether your dad rivals Bob Vila or has more of a Tim Taylor vibe going on, he’s sure to appreciate the Rusty Nail. With nothing more than Scotch, Drambuie, and a zesty lemon twist, this cocktail is classic and manly — just like dad. See recipe.

If you’re still hankering to give your dad a wrapped gift on Father’s Day, may we suggest this set of hand-crafted stone chillers ($30 on Amazon)? All the style of a nice silk tie… and they’ll actually get some use. Looking for the perfect Father’s Day drink beyond these three?

From classic whiskey cocktails to something more adventurous, Cocktail Builder helps you discover recipes based on dad’s favorite spirit so you can craft something he’ll actually enjoy more than a necktie. Mom’s holiday deserves the same effort, by the way; the Mother’s Day cocktail ideas list is this one’s May counterpart.

Photo credit: Some rights reserved by Dani Lurie

Last modified on August 6, 2026