Hunter Cocktail recipe
Rating
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.
Hunter sits firmly in the whiskey-forward, after-dinner cocktail camp: a short drink built to showcase bourbon while adding a dark-fruit accent. It isn’t a widely documented classic with a single agreed origin story, so you’ll find it reads more like a modern, bar-style variation on the old “whiskey plus liqueur plus bitters” template—simple, sturdy, and designed for slow sipping over ice.
On the palate, bourbon brings vanilla-leaning warmth and oak depth, while cherry liqueur layers in a rich, sweet-tart cherry note that softens the edges of the whiskey. A couple of dashes of orange bitters lift the centre with a bright, aromatic citrus snap, keeping the sweetness in check. The small measure of maraschino cherry adds an extra hit of concentrated cherry character, tying the fruit notes together from first sip to finish.
You’ll enjoy this most as an evening pour—ideal when you want something spirit-led but not austere. Serve it in a rocks glass for a relaxed, loungey feel, and it’ll suit bourbon fans who like their whiskey rounded out with fruit and a hint of bittersweet complexity.
Microbadges
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.
Lowball / rocks glass
Ingredients
Cocktail Colin says:
Bourbon leads with warm oak and vanilla, while cherry liqueur and a touch of maraschino cherry add dense, dark-fruit sweetness; orange bitters thread in bright peel and a faint spice that keeps the sip from feeling syrupy. The bitters’ citrus snap and bourbon’s dryness balance the cherry richness, making it click for whiskey-forward, after-dinner drinkers who like a sweet-leaning, fruit-accented rocks pour.
Method
How to make a Hunter
- Bourbon 30ml, Cherry liqueur 20ml, Orange bitters 2 dashes, Maraschino cherry 2.5ml
-
- Begin by combining all your ingredients in a mixing glass filled with ice
-
- Gently stir the mixture together for about 10-15 seconds to ensure it's well mixed and chilled
-
- Once thoroughly mixed, strain the cocktail into a glass prefilled with ice, aiming for a large cube or block of ice to keep your drink cooler for longer without diluting it quickly
-
- Enjoy your carefully crafted drink
Power tips
Elevate the Hunter 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- Opt for a high-quality, craft bourbon to enhance the depth and richness of your cocktail.
- Use a Luxardo or premium maraschino cherry to garnish for a more authentic and elevated experience.
- Upgrade to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.
Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
What is the origin of the Hunter cocktail?
The Hunter cocktail, like many classic cocktails, has a murky origin. It's not tied to a specific person or place in history but is a modern concoction that plays on traditional flavor profiles combining bourbon, cherry liqueur, Maraschino, and bitters to create a rich and complex taste. The cocktail's name might suggest a theme or inspiration rather than a historical origin.
Can I substitute a different type of whiskey in the Hunter cocktail?
Yes, while the traditional Hunter cocktail recipe calls for bourbon, which gives it a sweet, full-bodied flavor, you can substitute it with another type of whiskey like rye if you prefer a spicier, more robust flavor profile. The overall taste of the cocktail will change, so it might be worth experimenting to find your preferred combination.
What food pairs well with a Hunter cocktail?
The Hunter cocktail, with its rich bourbon base and sweet cherry accents, pairs well with hearty meat dishes, such as steak, barbecue ribs, or a rich beef stew. For a lighter pairing, consider aged cheeses or chocolate desserts that can complement its deep flavors.
How can I adjust the sweetness of the Hunter cocktail?
To adjust the sweetness of the Hunter cocktail, you can vary the amount of cherry liqueur or substitute it with a less sweet cherry brandy. Another option is to play with the amount of Maraschino Cherry liqueur, as it's quite sweet but also brings a unique flavor. Experimenting with these ingredients will help you find the right balance to suit your taste.
Is there a non-alcoholic version of the Hunter cocktail?
While the Hunter cocktail is traditionally an alcoholic drink, you can create a non-alcoholic version by substituting non-alcoholic bourbon or whiskey alternatives for the bourbon, and using non-alcoholic cherry syrup in place of the cherry liqueur. Orange bitters may be harder to substitute directly due to their alcohol content, but a few drops of a non-alcoholic bitter or a splash of orange juice with a bit of added bitterness (like a dash of tonic water) can mimic the flavor profile.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Discover this deep fusion of bourbon and bitters.
Shade Thrower
Bourbon, Amaro, Aperol, Red vermouth, Aromatic bitters
Experience this indulgent blend of bourbon and maple
Maple Old Fashioned
Bourbon, Aromatic bitters, Maple syrup
Dive into this honey-kissed bourbon classic
Honey Old Fashioned
Bourbon, Aromatic bitters, Honey
Indulge in this sophisticated mix of whiskey and vermouth.
Manhattan
Rye whiskey, Bourbon, Red vermouth, Aromatic bitters
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 creatingBuild 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
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments