Thunderbird
/
logo

Make Me a Cocktail
Black Friday sale. 50% off all subscriptions for a year. Find out more

Thunderbird
Cocktail recipe

Rating

3.57 / 5
The Thunderbird cocktail is a dark and inviting mix that features the warmth of whiskey harmonized with the sweet, almond-like flavor of amaretto. The addition of cola provides a familiar fizzy sweetness, while lime cordial cuts through with a touch of citrus tang, offering a complex flavor profile that is both refreshing and robust. Served in a highball glass, the Thunderbird presents a satisfying option for those who appreciate a cocktail with depth and a balance between strong spirits and soft, sweet mixers. Its name evokes a sense of power and freedom, reminiscent of mythical birds and classic Americana.
Check out all our FAQ's on this cocktail
Base ingredient
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Whiskey
Calories
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
266 calories
Alcohol content
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10.8% | 3.24 units *

Tags

Whiskey ingredient icon
Whiskey cocktails

Highball glass

Ingredients

oz
ml
cl
Cola cocktail ingredient icon for the Thunderbird cocktail
Cola
Lime Cordial cocktail ingredient icon for the Thunderbird cocktail
Lime Cordial
Amaretto cocktail ingredient icon for the Thunderbird cocktail
Amaretto
Whiskey cocktail ingredient icon for the Thunderbird cocktail
Whiskey
Serves:
-
+

Method
How to make a Thunderbird

Serves 1 · Takes 3 minutes
Add the ingredients over ice to a long glass, then serve

Power tips
Elevate the Thunderbird with these master mixologist tips

Upgrade to premium

And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.

Find out more
Subscribe to premium to receive power tips from top bartenders around the world. Raise you mixology game.
Read the tweaks that take this simple cocktail to the next level of greatness. Become the next best mixologist which people all talk about.

Your private tasting notes

~ Register as a user for free to create tasting notes, save your bar and more ~

Can you make this?

Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.

Comments

No comments yet…

You need to be a user with a verified email to comment on cocktails. Login / register

Featured in

~ Not featured in any of your lists, or any public lists, register as a user to create a list and add this cocktail. We'll then show the lists here ~

FAQ's

Ingredient substitutions icon

Can I substitute the whiskey in the Thunderbird cocktail with another type of alcohol?

Yes, you can substitute the whiskey with another type of dark spirit to keep the flavor profile similar. Bourbon or dark rum could be potential substitutes, offering a different but complementary taste to the Amaretto.

Garnishing tips icon

What garnish works well with a Thunderbird cocktail?

A slice of lime or a lemon twist works well as a garnish for the Thunderbird cocktail. The citrus notes can enhance the flavors of the drink, especially the lime cordial component.

Serving suggestions icon

What is the best way to serve a Thunderbird cocktail?

The Thunderbird is best served in a highball glass over ice. Ensure the cocktail is cold to maintain its refreshing qualities. Pour the whiskey and Amaretto over ice, top up with cola, then add a teaspoon of lime cordial for the finishing touch.

Alcohol content comparison icon

How does the alcohol content of a Thunderbird compare to a standard cocktail?

With an alcohol content of 10.8%, the Thunderbird falls into the medium range of alcohol content for cocktails. Standard cocktails generally range from 5% to 20% in alcohol content. It's stronger than a light cocktail but not as strong as some of the more potent mixed drinks.

Customization ideas icon

What are some ways I can customize the Thunderbird cocktail to suit my taste?

To customize the Thunderbird, you could experiment with the proportions of the ingredients. For a sweeter drink, increase the amount of Amaretto. For a stronger citrus flavor, add more lime cordial. You could also use different types of cola to see how they affect the overall flavor profile.

HUGE BLACK FRIDAY SALE

50% off all subscriptions for a year

Upgrade to premium for just £5/month £2.5/month and get access to the most powerful cocktail system around.

  • Masterclass top tips Access thousands of top bartender tips to elevate the cocktails to greatness
  • Powerful A.I. search Use our most powerful A.I. search, with upgraded answers and access to auto generated FAQ's on the search. Go Wizard level
  • Cocktail creator plus: Access to all our themes and styles, and the ability to pick and choose ingredients to include.
  • Photo your bar Take a photo of your bar and we'll instantly fill your online bar, telling you what you can make
  • Access all our menu creator themes Access to all our menu creator themes, and remove all branding on the menus.
  • Ignore kitchen cupboard staples: No need to add every single kitchen item, we'll just assume you have the core basics
  • Personal My Bar image: All the ingredients you have added to your bar in a beautiful detailed bar graphic
  • And much much more
Let's go Find out more about premium

The Ultimate Christmas Cocktail Hub

The ultimate destination for all things Christmas and Cocktails. Crate your own Christmas cocktail, cocktail advent calendars, a host of Christmas themed cocktails and more.

Filter by Christmas cocktails that contain a certain ingredient, or just browse them all. The go-to location this Christmas.

Let's go

You might also like

Scotch Whisky Highball

Classic

The Scotch Whisky Highball stands as a testament to simplicity and elegance in the world of cocktails. Traditionally served in...

Godfather

Classic

The Godfather is a simple yet classic cocktail that exudes sophistication and subtle complexity. A harmonious blend of the sweet,...

Green Tea

The Green Tea cocktail is a refreshing and zesty concoction that's designed to be served in a shot glass, providing...

Christmas Cake Martini

The Christmas Cake Martini is a festive cocktail that embodies the rich flavors commonly found in a traditional Christmas cake....
* US units estimated based on the standard alcohol content of the ingredients used and the proportions in the recipe. Please drink responsibly.
build your bar

Create a cocktail

Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.

Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.

Start creating

Build your bar

Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.

Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.

Create My Bar
build your bar light mode image