Father's Day Cocktails: Take a Shot for Dad

Dad bods. Dad jokes. Dad hats. For some reason, dads don't seem to be synonymous with "cool." But you don't have to be cool to be awesome, so we're taking this time to honor dads everywhere for doing all the stuff they do well, like ... barbecuing. Just kidding. Dads do everything; they provide love and support, inspiration and advice, and—let's face it—they've always been your last best hope when your other parent already said no.

Our favorite way to honor our dads is simply to pour a glass of Batch 22 and toast them with a shot. We highly encourage you to follow our tradition and then—after that—try one of the five stupendous cocktails we've gathered here.

 

Paternity Test

We created this cocktail for Father’s Day in 2023. It’s our unique aquavit riff on the classic Stiletto cocktail, which traditionally employs bourbon as its main spirit. We combine bourbon and aquavit for this one, making it a little less sweet and boozy.

 

 

 

In a shaker with ice combine:

  • 2.25 oz. Batch 22
  • 1.25 oz. Fierce & Kind Straight Bourbon
  • 1 tsp. Orgeat (almond syrup)
  • .5 oz. Fresh lime juice
  • Brandied cherries for garnish

Shake vigorously and strain into a rocks glass with one large cube. Garnish with two brandied cherries.

 

Fire Up the Grill

This subtly smoky cocktail pays homage to the classic dad stereotype of Dad as "Barbecue King." Even though the old trope portrays dads as basically inept in the kitchen, somehow the skills needed to barbecue have always been considered well within reach of most dads. Maybe it's the playing with fire? Of course, we all know that women (and moms!) are perfectly capable of grilling, but let's not tell the dads that.

Mix in a rocks glass:

  • 2 oz. Batch 22 Classic Gold aquavit
  • .5 oz. Mezcal
  • .5 oz. fresh lime
  • 2 oz. Ginger beer

Add ice and top with ginger beer. Stir gently.

 

The Super Fan

Here's to the rabid-fan dad who makes sure to never miss a game. Does he don the team jersey before planting himself in front of the television? Maybe. Does he paint his face in his team's colors? Perhaps. Does he drip guacamole all over the living room sofa? There's a good chance. Does he have a favorite Game Day beverage? We hope so. And we hope it's this one.

 

In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine:

  • 1 oz. Batch 22
  • 1 oz. bourbon
  • 1 oz. lemon juice 
  • 1 oz. agave simple syrup (1:1 agave and water) 
  • 1 oz. ginger beer
  • 1/4 oz. Angostura bitters 
  • 1 slice of fresh ginger for garnishing

Shake well and strain into a chilled glass. Rim the glass with the ginger and then add it to the cocktail.

 

Wait Until Your Father Gets Home

Here's a fresh and spicy concoction that combines the super-compatible flavors of cucumber and lime with Batch 22 and then adds a burst of spiciness on the finish. Up front, the drink is light, bubbly and refreshing, but the heat eventually comes through at the end. 

  • 2 oz. Batch 22
  • 1 oz. lime juice
  • 3/4 oz. simple syrup  
  • 4 cucumber slices
  • 3 dashes hot pepper sauce (use your favorite)
  • 1 to 2 oz. club soda to taste

In a cocktail shaker, muddle 3 slices of cucumber with the Batch 22, lime juice, simple syrup, and 3 dashes of hot sauce.

Add ice and shake well. Strain into an old-fashioned glass filled with fresh ice and top with club soda.

Garnish with the remaining cucumber slice and an extra dash or two of hot sauce.

 

Mario's Esperanto

We created this cocktail as a collaboration with our good friend Joe Grasso, who's the founder of Mario's Hard Espresso. Joe founded his company with a recipe that his father created, and everything Joe does—the core identity of his brand—is, in some way, an homage to his dad. We like that. And we thought it only appropriate to include a Mario's creation here.

Like classic espresso, this dessert cocktail combines flavors of coffee and lemon with some of the added zing of Batch's herbs and botanicals.

In a shaker with ice, combine: 

  • 2 oz. Batch 22
  • 2 oz. Mario's Hard Espresso
  • 1 oz. Limoncello

Shake well to chill. Pour into a martini glass. Garnish with lemon peel twist.