Banff 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.
Banff sits firmly in the spirit-forward, stirred-cocktail tradition: a whiskey base sharpened and sweetened with liqueurs, then tightened up with bitters for structure. While it isn’t a widely documented classic with a single, agreed origin story, it reads like a close cousin of early 20th-century “improved” whiskey cocktails—built to showcase the base spirit while adding just enough fruit and spice to feel dressed up.
You’ll find the whiskey doing the heavy lifting, with orange liqueur bringing a bright, rounded citrus sweetness that lifts the mid-palate. Cherry liqueur adds a deeper, darker fruit note that leans rich and slightly syrupy, creating a layered sweetness rather than a single sugary hit. A dash of aromatic bitters pulls those liqueurs back into line, adding a dry, spiced edge that keeps the finish crisp and composed.
Serve this in a cocktail glass when you want something elegant but unapologetically boozy—ideal as a pre-dinner sipper or a slow, late-evening pour. It suits whiskey drinkers who enjoy a touch of fruit without losing intensity, and it’s a smart choice when you want a Manhattan-adjacent vibe with a brighter, cherry-and-orange twist.
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.
Cocktail glass
Ingredients
Cocktail Colin says:
Whiskey leads with a warm, grainy backbone, while orange liqueur brings bright citrus sweetness and cherry liqueur adds a dark, candied fruit depth, all pulled into focus by a dash of aromatic bitters. The bitters’ spice reins in the liqueurs so the whiskey stays center stage, making this a good pick for stirred, spirit-forward drinkers who like a sweet-leaning finish.
Method
How to make a Banff
- Whiskey 60ml, Orange liqueur 15ml, Cherry liqueur 15ml, Aromatic bitters Dash
-
- Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice
-
- Shake well for 10-15 seconds or until the outside of the shaker becomes frosted
-
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and serve
Power tips
Elevate the Banff 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- Use a high-quality, aged whiskey for a deeper, richer taste that stands up well against the sweet and fruity elements of the cocktail.
- Gently flame an orange peel over the glass before serving. The heated oils from the peel will add a complex citrus aroma that enhances the overall drinking experience.
- Upgrade to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.
Learn more about some of the mixology terms used in this cocktail
· Shake ·Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
What is the best way to serve the Banff cocktail?
The Banff cocktail is best served cold in a cocktail glass. It's recommended to shake the ingredients with ice and then strain the mixture into the glass to ensure it's properly chilled and mixed, enhancing its flavors.
Can I substitute ingredients in the Banff cocktail?
Yes, you can substitute ingredients in the Banff cocktail, but keep in mind that it may alter the original taste and character of the drink. For instance, if you don't have cherry liqueur, you might use a raspberry liqueur for a different but still fruity note. However, always try to stick close to the original ingredients for the authentic Banff experience.
What kind of whiskey is best to use in the Banff cocktail?
The Banff cocktail is versatile with the type of whiskey you can use, but a smooth, richly flavored whiskey such as a single malt or a quality blend from Scotland or a bourbon from the USA will complement the sweet and bitter notes of the other ingredients well. The choice ultimately depends on personal preference and the flavor profile you're aiming for.
How does the alcohol content in the Banff compare to other cocktails?
With an alcohol content of 31.67%, the Banff cocktail is relatively strong when compared to many other cocktails. Classic cocktails can range significantly in alcohol content, but many popular ones like the Margarita or Cosmopolitan have lower alcohol percentages. The Banff's strength makes it a good choice for those who prefer a more potent drink.
Is the Banff cocktail suitable for all occasions?
The Banff cocktail, with its sophisticated blend of flavors and elegant presentation, is suitable for a wide range of occasions, from formal gatherings to casual get-togethers. Its strong whiskey base accented with the sweetness of cherry and orange liqueurs, as well as the bitter touch of Angostura, makes it an excellent after-dinner drink or a classy cocktail for a nightcap.
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
Try this classic mix of amaretto and whiskey
Godfather
Whiskey, Amaretto
Experience this harmonious blend of whiskey and coffee.
Scotty Special
Whiskey, Coffee liqueur, Milch, Sahne
Relish the scrumptiously sweet blend of whisky and berries.
Blackberry Bramble
Whiskey, Lime, Sugar, Blackberries
Try this vibrant vodka and whiskey concoction
Venom
Vodka, Whiskey, Orange, WKD blue
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